2022-04-14
Lund University, together with just over 100 partners across Europe, has now submitted its application to the world’s largest innovation initiative for cultural and creative sectors and industries. The consortium that the EU designates as a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) is set to receive up to SEK 800 million annually over 15 years. Companies, regions, cities, universities and cultural institutions have come together to take part in the major initiative.
“Lund University is the only Swedish partner among the 50 core partners in the Creative Futures consortium. We are happy to take on the role as the national engine for the cultural and creative sectors and industries in this initiative. A KIC with a focus on culture has a bearing on all the broader activities at the University. Our ambition is to concentrate our strengths to reinforce both our expertise in the area and that of our collaboration partners. The rest of society should also be able to benefit from the sector’s inherent creative abilities and innovative solutions”, says Kristina Eneroth, Lund University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement.
For a long time, Lund University has developed its partnership in the Creative Futures consortium, which is led by Aalto University in Finland. All the faculties have assisted in developing the conceptual content that is Lund University’s contribution to the application that has now been submitted. Lund University has education and research in areas such as art, music, theatre, film and literature, and in addition trains many students who become professionals in cultural sectors and industries – including architects, designers, publishers, game developers and lawyers. These activities are important driving forces for sustainable growth and for job opportunities locally, regionally, nationally and throughout Europe.
A Culture KIC with a Swedish university as a core partner provides Swedish stakeholders in the cultural and creative sectors and industries with the opportunity to benefit from and participate in EU initiatives with connections to higher education and research, where support for culture and creativity is currently at an all-time high. The KIC in cultural and creative sectors and industries comprises approximately SEK 800 million annually for up to 15 years. This makes it the world’s largest investment in culture and innovation.
On 29 April, Lund University will present the content of the KIC application, which was submitted to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The half-day event will be held at the Main University Building. Several regional, local and European organisations in the network created through work on the Culture KIC have been invited. Some of the innovation areas in which Lund University has worked are Fashion-tech, Gaming and Technology meet Archaeology and Humanity and Nature. The event provides an occasion to show the strength of the sector and that Lund University and its partners are a hub for action and development in the sector.
“This event provides the opportunity for Lund University and its partners to inspire collaboration and co-creation by the Creatives & Friends network, which will carry out the work together on the KIC when it gets underway. By working strategically and across borders in academia and regions, and with large and small companies, municipalities and cultural stakeholders, we will contribute to a sustainable future for all of society”, says Anna Lyrevik, Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor on culture and Chair of the steering group for the work on the Culture KIC.
KIC FACTS:
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an EU body that aims to strengthen Europe’s ability to innovate. The EIT is an important part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding framework for research and innovation.
An EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) brings together partners from industry and business as well as research and higher education, with the aim to strengthen innovation ability. There are currently eight KICs, which all focus on specific areas such as climate change, sustainable energy and digitisation.
The Creative Futures application consists of 50 core partners from 20 different European countries. Lund University is the only Swedish core partner. The evaluation of the applications for the EIT Culture KIC has now begun and is expected to be finalised within a couple of months.
Lund University,
Press Release,
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/lund-university-wants-be-part-worlds-largest-culture-and-innovation-initiative
