Funding from the Västra Götaland region until 2028 strengthens Blue Food
Region Västra Götaland (VGR) continues to support Blå mat during the second period of the center's formation, which began at the turn of the year. Co-financing from VGR strengthens important research and supports local collaboration between academia and industry. Region Västra Götaland is contributing SEK 1 million per year for four years to Blå mat.
VGR's co-financing will mainly be used for activities in West Sweden and focus on three research areas: laws and regulations, primary production - aquaculture and consumers and the market.
For Region Västra Götaland, it is important that the research is used in the surrounding society and the funding will enable an intensive collaboration where the business community's issues and needs are in focus while its representatives contribute to the scientific work as assistant supervisors for young researchers, says Kristina Snuttan Sundell, Blå mat's coordinator for knowledge building. Blue Food's outreach and knowledge-building activities will also be strengthened through the funding and through the co-organization of events between VGR and Blue Food.
During the Blue Mat's second period, social science research will be given more space and the funds from VGR will be used to co-finance time for researchers in law, business administration and art and design. Several of the organizations in the Blue Mat consortium - the University of Gothenburg, Chalmers and Innovatum Science Park - have the lion's share of their activities in Västra Götaland. But KTH, Rise, IVL, Orkla and a large number of the center's other partners also have important activities in western Sweden.
Region Västra Götaland has long had a strong commitment to the blue economy and the marine and maritime industries. It was the first in Sweden to develop a specific maritime strategy back in 2008, which shows the importance that VGR attaches to the marine environment and the marine industries for sustainable development in Västra Götaland. The sea is seen as a resource that needs to be well managed and therefore supports competitive, innovative marine industries that can contribute to increased employment, reduced environmental impact and an attractive living environment.
Västra Götaland has Sweden's longest coastline, many lakes and investments in land-based fish farming, which means that fishing and seafood have an obvious role in our society and culture. VGR funds projects throughout the value chain and sees the Blue Food Center and its focus on needs-oriented research as a driving force for knowledge building, collaboration with the business community and a breeding ground for new, innovative startups and companies. Together we create competitiveness for our region and contribute to a strong seafood industry for the whole of Sweden," says Mia Björkil, regional developer for food at VGR.
Within the regional development strategy for Västra Götaland, which has been developed jointly with key stakeholders such as municipalities, industry and academia, Blue Food issues are found in the innovation area of maritime industries, focusing on, among other things, circular business models, cultivation of micro and macro algae, marine management, living coast, sustainable production, utilization and processing of bio-based raw materials in new blue value chains. Blue food is also important in several of Västra Götaland's identified areas of strength, particularly in "Food, bio-based materials and renewable energy" but also in "Sustainable industry" and "Health and life science".
Blue Food and the center's partners have long had a successful collaboration with VGR via, among other things, the Maritime Cluster, Innovatum Science Park, the interdisciplinary center Swemarc at the University of Gothenburg and in VGR-funded events such as the Science Festival, the North Sea Week and the Skagerrak Conference.
Blå mat applied for the funds from the Environment and Regional Development Board, which receives applications on an ongoing basis, after a dialog with the region's contact persons about the goals and visions of VGR and Blå mat. Blå mat received corresponding funding during the first period as well, and the region's officials are therefore well aware of the center's work and results during the first four years.