SPIS Social Progress Innovation Sweden

Purpose and goal

SPIS, Social Progress Innovation Sweden aims to strengthen Umeå´s innovation capacity linked to sustainable urban development for the benefit of all citizens. The goal is to establish a sustainable cross-sectoral organization that can coordinate ongoing innovation processes, initiate new ones that build on the processes that exist and act as a grow ground for new initiatives. A stronger partnership in the city between municipality, companies, academia, citizens and others who want to be involved in developing the sustainable city of the future.

Expected results and effects

A strong local innovation system, innovation capacity and conditions for more people to participate in and contribute to the development of the future sustainable city. Through SPIS, an environment for innovation will develop in the city, where community actors work together and dare to test new innovative solutions for the challenges of the future. SPIS is based on alternative ways of measuring progress in society as a complement to GDP, such as the EU´s Regional Social Progress Index.

Planned approach and implementation

The various work packages focus on developing strategic innovation processes, leadership and collaboration methods. Learning processes at all levels are central in the implementation. An innovation team will build and anchor the innovation processes successfully. International externally funded innovation projects will be developed in collaboration with other actors. A number of innovative prototype and innovation methods will be developed for increased participation. Within the municipality, a new "innovation-lab" will be tested for complex challenges.