Innovation Included

Purpose and goal

The aim of this project has been to understand the need for more inclusive innovation system in terms of who participate and develop new services and innovation in Västerbotten. The project has also aimed at identifying areas where potential capacities for innovation is lost and potentials for future development and accumulation of norm critical and norm creative approaches for sustainable development. The project has identified strategic actors in the region who in different ways support innovation, which resulted in a map of identified public actors.

Expected results and effects

It is possible to conclude that the region obtains a reasonably high level of competence regarding gender equality, diversity & norm critical/creative approaches. What are called for is a more strategic and coordinated commitment for such issues regarding innovation. Six areas are also identify for further strategic investments; Competence development, Social Innovation, Norm critical/creative in traditional industry, Norm critical/creative in cross-sectors/creative industry, Digitalisation, AI and Ethics and The establishment of platforms for Normcritical innovation

Planned approach and implementation

The research analysis shows opportunities and shortcomings for innovation based on norm critical and norm creative approaches. It points out potential areas for continued work to achieve a more inclusive innovation system. Participating actors have all expressed a desire for continued investments in the area, something that can happen in a continuing project. Therefor this project has started to work on creating a collaboration area around inclusion and diversity as a catalyst for innovation in the region. These collaborations are based on the demand from the outcome of this project