Vinnova and Formas are looking for future city planners

Warming in Sweden is twice as fast as in the rest of the world. Floods, heat waves, torrential rains and extreme weather are examples of challenges the cities of the future will have to deal with. Vinnova and Formas are now each presenting a call for proposals that in various ways will promote innovation and research to adapt our cities and built environments to the climate changes we already see and can expect in the future.

Vinnova is looking for actors who want and can contribute with ideas and solutions to adapt our cities and communities to the climate. We see in front of us that those who need to take an active role in this important work are, for example, municipalities, regions, authorities, companies, industry organizations, academia and research institutes. The work needs to be a team effort, the idea is that at least three parties should be behind each proposal.

- This investment is important as the climate threat is already leading to major challenges for our cities and communities, with needs that are constantly growing. With this initiative, we want to support collaborations between committed actors who have a drive to be able to develop methods and solutions together to handle the challenges. We hope that the solutions that are developed in the long term can also be spread, both within Sweden and internationally, says Lars Friberg, head of advertising at Vinnova.

The call applies to 2-year innovation projects with the possibility of continued funding. The budget is tentatively SEK 50 million for the first call for proposals and the approved projects will be allocated between SEK 2–5 million.

NOTE: Thursday, April 15, you are welcome to a meeting about the announcement.