Funding from the Västra Götaland Region through 2028 will strengthen Blue Food
The Västra Götaland Region (VGR) continues to support Blue Food during the center’s second term, which began at the start of the year. Co-funding from VGR strengthens important research and supports local collaboration between academia and the business community. The Västra Götaland Region is contributing one million kronor per year for four years to the “ Blue Food ” initiative.
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 the Västra Götaland Region, it is important that research benefits the surrounding community, and this funding will enable intensive collaboration that focuses on the issues and needs of the business community, while its representatives contribute to scientific work as co-advisors to 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 this funding and through joint events organized by VGR and .
During Blue Food'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 Food 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, numerous lakes, and initiatives in land-based fish farming as well, which means that fishing and seafood play a natural role in our society and culture. VGR funds projects across the entire value chain and views the establishment of the “ Blue Food ” center—with its focus on needs-based 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 are building competitiveness for our region and contributing to a strong seafood industry for all of Sweden,” says Mia Björkil, regional food development manager 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 The partners in the center have long enjoyed a successful collaboration with VGR through, among other things, the Maritime Cluster, Innovatum Science Park, the interdisciplinary center Swemarc at the University of Gothenburg, and VGR-funded events such as the Science Festival, Västerhavsveckan, and the Skagerrak Conference.
Blue Food The organization applied for funding from the Committee on Environment and Regional Development—which accepts applications on an ongoing basis—following a dialogue with the region’s representatives regarding the goals and visions of VGR and Blå mat. The “ Blue Food ” received similar funding during the first period as well, and the region’s officials are therefore well acquainted with the center’s work and results over the first four years.