NordForsk Gunnel Gustafsson Strategies and tools for Grand Challenges responding Research Brussels February 28th 2012

NordForsk NordForsk is a platform for joint Nordic research and research policy development in the Nordic countries.It was established by the Nordic Council of Ministers in The aim of the organisation is to facilitate cooperation in all fields of research when this adds value to work being conducted nationally. Its main stakeholders are the national research financing bodies in the five Nordic Countries. Basic funding is provided by the Nordic Council of Ministers and additional funding by stakeholders especially the Research Councils in the different countries.

Main Points: European research must focus on the Grand Challenges of our time moving beyond current rigid thematic approaches This calls for a New Deal among European institutions and Member States – cooperation that builds on transparency and trust Identifying and responding to Grand Challenges should involve stakeholders from both public and private sectors taking into account the global dimension The Lund Declaration

NordForsk Strategy NordForsk’s main collaboration areas: Research infrastructure Research funding Landscape analysis Nordic – European relations Communication

The first Nordic Joint Programme in response to Grand Challenges The Top-level Research Initiative was started by the five Nordic Prime Ministers, and in the Riksgränsen declaration (2008) it is stated that: ”The Nordic region is in a strong position to pioneer efforts to combat climate change. A sustainable Nordic model for meeting climate challenges will demonstrate the potential for combining reduced emissions with economic growth”.

What is accomplished so far ? Common pot with contributions from all the five Nordic Countries Improved governance structure – larger and initiatives which cuts across policy sectors Organizing in a way which makes it possible to move quickly from policy to action Cooperation across the public- private domains, across sectors and disciplines

Other large-scale Programmes with Nordic Centres of Excellence as the main instrument Food, Nutrition and Health The Nordic Welfare Societies Effect studies and adaptation to climate change Interaction between climate change and the cryosphere eScience globalisation initiative Educational research in the North Health and Welfare The total common pot funding of our programmes operating amounts to more than 130 million Euros.

Processes - important steps with eScience as an example Dialogue between The Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) and NordForsk Agreement on a large programme in the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) A start up grant is given by the NCM to NordForsk on the condition that the research Councils in the Nordics contribute with at least twice as much A consultation process with Research Financing Agencies takes place with discussions on more specific theme, funding etc. Commitment to common pot financing is concluded, not all Nordic countries have to agree to take part in the Initiative Results of the consultation processes are reported to the Board of NordForsk, which commits NordForsk to the Initiative A steering committee is appointed with representatives of funding organizations and tasked with further elaboration of the programme A call is announced within a year from commitment to common pot

What are the lessons learned? The main issues addressed in response to Grand Challenges should be based on political decisions, but the elaboration of them left to knowledge triangle based expertise. There should be a Board or Steering Committee, with representatives for the main stakeholders, tasked with making strategic decisions A platform/organization such as NordForsk is needed to drive processes which facilitate à la carte commitment and trust in order to make it possible to move quickly from policy to action A new way of perceiving the interconnectedness between nature and human action is needed in order to unleash Europe´s full potential to turn problems into opportunities with the help of knowledge – and such a new mind set is emerging It is possible to make knowledge contributions to solutions to problems emerging from Grand Challenges with the help of regional initiatives

Can the Nordic model be adapted to European needs? Yes, we think they can be used to create incentives for linking Joint Programmes to the Horizon 2020 support for grand societal challenges There are few reasons to believe that Nordic ways of facilitating trust creating processes and compromises are unique. A New Deal is a necessary precondition for a well functioning knowledge society in Europe and world wide, and the question is if Europe can become a forerunner in this respect. Let us discuss next steps to accomplishing urgently needed ways to move towards a New Deal in Europe!

Thank you for your attention!