KIC Added Value Manufacturing - planning grant

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project was to coordinate and support Swedish actors in their actions towards a pan-European "Knowledge and Innovation Community" (KIC) for "Value-Adding Manufacturing" (AVM), funded by the European Institute of Technology (EIT). The proposal was submitted by the 50 consortium members in July 2016. In November, the EIT decided to reject the application, even though there was only one application in Europe. Despite the rejection, we assess that the experiences and indirect effects of the project were successful.

Expected results and effects

The main goal of this project was that Swedish actors should be part of a successful proposal for a pan-European "Knowledge and Innovation Community" (KIC) for "Value-Adding Manufacturing" (AVM), funded by the European Institute of Technology (EIT). Sub-goals were to coordinate the Swedish actors towards a joint European proposal and that Swedish strengths in the Production area should be emphasized in a European context. The main goal of this project was not successful, the EIT did not approve the only submitted proposal. The sub-goals where relatively well fulfilled.

Planned approach and implementation

The work content of the KIC proposal was hard to foresee. It changed dynamically over the project. Tasks frequently changed on consortium level. Impacts of political actions interrupted actions. Sweden managed to stay clear of conflicts and was able to contribute well, primarily based on instruments of the national Produktion2030 programme plus some diplomacy. Sweden was designated coordinator for six countries in the North group. An important experience is the need to balance the depth and wideness of the involvement of industry and research actors, to involve but not disappoint.