Sweden's Research and Innovation Office in Brussels celebrates its 30th anniversary

When Sweden's Research and Innovation Office was established in 1995, its main purpose was to closely monitor EU research and innovation policy. Having a presence in Brussels provided opportunities to establish contacts and monitoring developments in real time, and then report back to Sweden. From the outset, SWERI was run by a consortium of government agencies and universities. Since 2015, Vinnova and the Swedish Research Council have run the organisation together.

Johan Lindell, Head of the Department of Research Policy at the Swedish Research Council, emphasises the importance of the office in increasing understanding of the EU's current priorities and processes.

"SWERI has strengthened us as advisory expert authorities. Through the office, we have been able to follow developments on the ground, obtain up-to-date information, assist the government’s representation at the EU, raise our own competence and be more accurate in our advice to the government," he says.

Serves as a meeting place

The office serves as a meeting place for Swedish universities, authorities and organisations. Every year, SWERI receives a large number of visitors and organises seminars and educational trips. In this way, it disseminates knowledge about the EU and inspires more Swedish actors to engage in EU issues. Together with its Nordic counterparts, SWERI has also organised workshops for the European Commission, where Nordic initiatives have been highlighted.

A large part of the work in Brussels involves building and maintaining relationships with key actors. Through the IGLO (Informal Group of RTD Liaison Offices) network, the office has established close contacts with the European Commission and other national research offices. Through Science Europe, of which the Swedish Research Council is a member, and Science|Business, in which Vinnova is active, SWERI also helps to highlight Swedish experiences.

"These networks are invaluable for spreading knowledge about Swedish conditions and for bringing Swedish perspectives to the EU policy development. They have contributed to the office’s activities becoming more proactive. Today, SWERI is a well-established player in Brussels and an important link between the EU and the Swedish research and innovation system,” says Johan Lindell.

Having a permanent presence in Brussels is an investment in Swedish research and innovation, according to Viktoria Mattsson, Head of the Department of Collaboration at the Swedish Research Council.

"It provides unique opportunities to present Swedish perspectives on current research and innovation issues, and strengthens both Sweden and Europe. We have become an important voice for curiosity-driven research that does not have immediate application requirements – but which has laid the foundation for many of the technologies and knowledge we take for granted today and which contribute to social benefits and increased competitiveness. This is particularly important now that the EU's next framework programme for research and innovation is taking shape and there is a strong focus on developing technical solutions and commercialisation," says Viktoria Mattsson.

Both she and Johan Lindell agree: the joint office has given Sweden a clearer and stronger voice in Brussels and strengthened the collaboration between Vinnova and the Swedish Research Council.