Social innovation projects share inspiration and build new connections across project boundaries

On 21 May, Swedish Metals & Minerals brought together all ongoing projects within the program’s social action areas for a full-day meeting focused on exchange of experience, learning and new connections. The 21 research and innovation projects represent a total investment of SEK 100 million. The purpose of the day was for the projects to present their work, but also to get to know each other, discuss shared needs and explore how the programme can support continued development and collaboration.

The day was opened by Niclas Dahlström, responsible for social innovation within the program, who welcomed the participants and emphasised that the projects and their work were at the centre of the day. Participants included project teams, funders, program contacts and representatives from the program office.

Before the project presentations began, participants introduced themselves and reflected on what they hoped to gain from the day. Recurring answers included inspiration, networking, new contacts, knowledge, new ideas and exchange of experience.

Each project then presented its work and objectives in a five-minute presentation. Together, the presentations showed the breadth of Swedish Metals & Minerals’ portfolio within social innovation. The projects address several of the social and organisational conditions that are important for the transition of the metals and minerals value chain, including skills supply, attractive communities and workplaces, inclusion, work environment, learning, collaboration and the relationship between industry and society.

The final part of the day was a workshop where participants were divided into groups to discuss the projects’ ongoing work and how Swedish Metals & Minerals can best support them. The discussions focused on the needs identified by the projects, what kind of support would be most valuable and what the programme should take into account in future calls within social innovation.

Participants highlighted the value of hearing about other projects, meeting the people behind them and identifying possible links between different initiatives. New contacts were made, and several conversations opened up opportunities for future collaboration.

“I felt that high energy, strong engagement and a willingness to learn from each other characterised the day.” — Niclas Dahlström, Head of Social Innovation

Social innovation is an important part of Swedish Metals & Minerals’ mission to enable a sustainable and resilient supply of metals and minerals for the societal transition. The day showed how technical development, social sustainability and system innovation need to go hand in hand if new solutions are to be implemented and create long-term impact across the value chain.