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Creative Resilience Dialogues on 27 November

Are you working on making culture and creativity a stronger force in society? Please join us for the Creative Resilience Dialogues on 27 November, a vital dialogue hosted by EIT Culture & Creativity and City of Malmö to explore how the cultural and creative sector can build resilience in the face of today’s complex global challenges.

This is not just a conversation about surviving difficult times. It’s about redesigning the conditions for life to thrive – cultural life, creative life, collective life. Together we’ll explore how resilience can be redefined as a shared practice of care, courage, and hopeful systems.

This gathering is part of the Resilience Roadmaps programme – a living inquiry into how we adapt, regenerate and move with integrity through complex terrain. We welcome everyone working in the creative field to attend and join the discussion.

Spaces are limited. REGISTER your interest today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of culture and creativity.

Space – Media Evolution City, Malmö, Sweden

Time – 27 November 2025, 9:30-17:00

Programme:

8.30-9.30 Morning Coffee

9.30-12.30 Guest Speakers (Among others; Per Olsson – Associate Professor and Deputy Science Director at Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University & Jennifer Hinton – Ecological Economist & Sustainability Researcher, Lund University)

12.30-13.30 Lunch

13.30-14.30 Facilitated Dialogues Session

14.30-15.00 Break

15.00-17.00 Resilience Roadmaps Participant Presentations

21 October 2025

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Policy – a multi-faceted concept

Abstract overlapping lines in yellow, orange and grey

ekip is an Innovation Policy Platform for the Cultural and Creative Industries, so in our communication we tend to include “policy” a lot, often in combination with other words. This sometimes leads to confusion, since the concept is rather complex and sometimes used in different ways. Here we try to define some of the more common concepts: policy, policy recommendation, policy area, and policy journey.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines “policy” as

“a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party.”

In the context of ekip, a policy can focus on issues such as what kinds of organizations are allowed to apply for funding (for example, both SMEs and NGOs) or on selection criteria for invitation to participate in programs or activities (for example, >10 employees). They can also regulate tasks allocated to cultural institutions, for example, if museums are encouraged to support innovation or not. A policy can also define how money is distributed for different kinds of activities and if support is made available. In sum, a policy can focus on many things, but the key is that it is something that (a) a group of people decides upon (b) within some kind of organisation, for example, a municipality. There are also different policy domains, such as cultural policies and innovation policies where ekip aims at bridging the two.

By Lena Holmberg

15 October 2025

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ekip Policy Lab:Digital Product Passport Unlocking Circularity in Fashion &CCIs

VENUE: Campus Bovisa, via Candiani 72, Milan, Italy
TIME: October 29th 2025; from 10:00am to 16:00pm CET

This ekip Policy Lab will explore how research and innovation (R&I) policies can support the development and scaling of eco-design practices and DPP implementation in the fashion and textile sectors. Particular attention will be paid to the role of CCIs, SMEs, and local ecosystems in furthering this agenda through collaborative innovation frameworks and inclusive governance models. It will explore key challenges and opportunities for implementation of Ecodesign in Sustainable Products Regulation and Extended Producer responsibility.

8 October 2025

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Have an impact on EU´s future budget – join ekip!

In July 2025, a proposal for the EU’s future budget – the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 was presented. Although it indicates a significant increase in budget for the Culture and Creative Industries and thus a commitment to strengthening culture and values amidst mounting pressures to invest in economic competitiveness and security, there is still reason to look at its associated conceptual framework.

In the article ”AgoraEU: Reframing Culture as a Force for Democracy?” research expert Elena Polivtseva at the Goethe Institute points at many uncertainties with the new budget proposal. For example, on the one hand the proposal emphasises the Culture and Creative Industries (CCI) contribution to the EU’s identity, inclusive and participatory governance, active citizenship, equality, and non-discrimination is recognized, but at the same time [ML1] , the new funding instrument AgoraEU falls under the heading of Competitiveness, prosperity and security. She also points at its lack of an ambitious vision for culture as a driver of the EU’s global role and as a transformative tool for navigating today’s complex geopolitical realities.

Since the budget is still a proposal, it is important to provide decision-makers with policy development support and participate in the debate. Especially since AgoraEU will serve as one of the key tools for implementing the Culture Compass Europe.

Creating a link between research and policy

This discourse is a central target for the policy recommendation work done in the EU flagship [ML2] initiative ekip, led by Lund University. It supports the development of policies that make open innovation into the new standard in ecosystems and drive innovation policy that empowers CCIs to make a significant impact on Europe’s societal, environmental, and economic transformation it. The way that ekip make use of the knowledge co-developed in EU funded projects and initiatives like the EIT Culture & Creativity KIC, creates a link between research and policy development.

The importance of ekip and the EIT Culture & Creativity KIC is emphasised in the report “Unleashing the Potential of the Cultural and Creative Industries”. It was published by the DG Research & Innovation at the EU Commission in spring 2025.

“The ekip platform and policy engine can become an important, even central, element in an overarching EU-wide CCSI ecosystem with a focus on pooling and transforming research outputs into policy recommendations and on further nurturing research on and for CCSIs. To this can be added a platform for exchange and cooperation among all kinds of CCSI stakeholders as a nucleus for an emerging culture- and creativity-driven innovation ecosystem. To avoid any constraints on the creation of an EU-wide impact from the budget of EUR 6 million and a project duration of three years, ekip must seek close cooperation and joint structures with other networks, platforms and support initiatives for CCSIs to agree on a common approach and to jointly implement common goals. The way ekip and EIT Culture & Creativity embark on a common approach will be key.” (p. 58)

Do you want to have a role in forming the policies for the next EU budget period? Make sure to join the ekip community!

29 September 2025

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DUT Call 2025 open until 17 November

Malmo, Sweden - July 22, 2017: People resting outdoors on sunny day next to luxury apartments in the Western Harbour in Malmo (Vastra Hamnen). Vastra Hamnen is a new district of Malmo, established in the old port near the city center. This district has become the showcase of modern Malmo. The district is an example of a new direction in Swedish architecture, the aim of which is to create a friendly, ecological environment for people to live, work, study and rest.

A funding opportunity for creating climate neutral and resilient cities

The aim of this call for proposals is to support transnational research and/or innovation projects that help cities tackle urban challenges and transition towards a climate neutral and resilient future for all.

Projects should contribute to one or more of our three thematic areas:

The Transition Pathways
15-minute City
Circular Urban Economies and Positive Energy Districts.

Research organisations, companies and commercial organisations, urban government authorities, consumers and civil society representatives and actors from the culture and creative sectors can apply. A project must have at least three partners from three different countries participating in the call and include a municipality or local authority. The call welcomes a wide range of scientific disciplines such as strategic urban research, applied urban research and urban innovation.

The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership to a sustainable future is an intergovernmental research and innovation programme addressing key challenges of urban transitions. It is co-funded within the European Research and Innovation (R&I) Framework Programme, Horizon Europe.

Tip: Make use of the networks created by the Swedish strategic innovation program Viable Cities and the EU initiative NetZeroCities run by Climate KIC!

Call DUT 2025

8 September 2025

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Green Transition Hack 3-4 November – sign up!

For seven years the Climate-KIC office at Lund University has organised Climathon Lund, a hackathon for climate solutions. In 2025, we are re-branding and launching the Green Transition Hack with some new features and a wider scope of challenges.

New challenges, partners, opportunity to earn credits
We have some new partners, both small and large and inbetween. Tata Consulting Services is part of the global Tata group that employ 500 000 people worldwide. As a contrast, we also welcome Värpinge Gård – a small ecological farm just outside of Lund and Skånetrafiken, bringing challenges from the public sector.

Students at Lund University who are citizens in an EU/ESS country (including Sweden) can get 3 ECTS credits for participating in the Green Transition Hack. You have to register for the course separately and the registration opens 1 October.

All the good things remain the same

A lot of the good things from 2024 year will stay the same in 2025. Tetra Pak, Alfa Laval and Lund municipality are recurrent partners. The venue is Mejeriet and we hope to see around 120 participants like last year. And again, you can choose from a set of different challenges and several methodologies on how to solve the challenges.

1 September 2025

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Insights from a student at the Fast-forward Plant-based Symposium

As the newly elected student representative in the Lund University team for the EIT Food KIC, I got the opportunity to accompany two fantastic colleagues to the “Fast-forward Plant-based food Symposium” in Copenhagen. The conference focused on how we can transition to a more plant-based food system with a focus on Denmark and Europe – a step towards reduced greenhouse gas emissions, better public health, increased biodiversity and improved animal welfare.

As a master’s student in sustainability science, I see major challenges in the agricultural sector, and plant-based diets can be an important part of the solution. During the conference, we took part in insightful panel discussions with experts from universities, civil society, the agricultural sector, the European Parliament, the Danish government, the business community, the financial sector and municipalities. A recurring insight was the need for stronger public-private partnerships to drive the transition forward. It also became clear that both farmers and innovators must be at the centre of the shift to a plant-based diet.

A European strategy for the transition is needed

There was a lively debate about whether deregulation and reduced bureaucracy could speed up the process — or whether other strategies were needed. However, the message was clear: the transition to a plant-based food system should be carried out efficiently and decisively, as it is a transition, not a revolution. In general, the experts agreed that a European strategy is needed, with Denmark serving as a role model.

I met with the CEO of EIT Food KIC and had a pleasant conversation about his motivations and current trends in food innovation in Europe. During networking meetings, I also got in touch with an Lund University alumnus who now works with sustainable food systems in Brussels — an inspiring meeting that made me think about my own career in the field.

To sum up, joining the conference, I gained valuable insights into plant-based food systems, forged new relationships and strengthened my understanding of the innovation ecosystem that EIT Food-KIC is involved in.

Kim Sensener

15 August 2025

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Sign up to our Newsletter!

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Do you want to stay updated with news about calls, events, new opportunities for learning or collaboration in the EIT KICs and related ecosystems for knowledge and innovation?

1 August 2025

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About Food KIC

A ypung couple choosing food items in a store by a shelf

Lund University is a strategic partner in EIT Food, the world’s largest food innovation community. EIT Food is directed towards three missions: Healthier lives through food, Reducing risk for a fair and resilient food system, and Net zero food system.

Lund University is co-leading a food master in close collaboration with EIT and European partner universities. Lund University is engaged in several EIT Food activities, such as think tanks and innovation projects.

Lund University is also strongly connected to various innovation ecosystems related to the food system, such as Food and Biocluster Denmark and regional food and biotech networks.

9 April 2025

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About Water KIC

A hand is holding a green cup to scoop up water from a stream

By 2025 the EIT will launch its 10^th KIC with a focus on Water. The KIC will address challenges such as water scarcity, droughts and floods, marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation as well as circular and sustainable blue economy. Lund university has a strong position in both research and education in the area of water and water and health is one of the profile areas for the technical faculty at the university.

It is the ambition of Lund University to position the organization in the EIT Water KIC consortia and collaborate together with the leading private and public organizations in Europe on the transition towards more sustainable water usage and the creation of new business opportunities for European companies.

9 April 2025

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About Climate KIC

Flood protection sandbags with flodded homes in background. People in rescue boat in city

The Climate-KIC collaboration office at Lund University (climate-KIC@lu) works with researchers, students and external organisations to initiate activities and develop projects for climate mitigation and adaptation. By knowledge sharing, facilitating networking opportunities, and organising relevant activities, the office fosters collaboration and mobilises actors in the green transition.

One of its key initiatives is the annual Climathon. In 2024 over 120 people participated in Climathon and tackled climate challenges from partner organisations such as Tetra Pak, Alfa Laval, Kraftringen, Lund Municipality, and Malmö City. The office also supports Lund University’s involvement in Viable Cities and is currently conducting a pre-study on battery recycling.

Since joining Climate-KIC in 2016, Lund University’s activities have developed, adapting to changes in Climate-KIC’s funding and support structures.

9 April 2025

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About Lund Innovation District

Blurred image people walking in urban street

Sweden is one of Europe’s most innovative countries, and the Skåne region stands out as a leading innovation hub. At the core lies Lund – a city with over 40 years of cultivating a unique innovation culture and support system.

Innovation districts are dense, vibrant ecosystems where entrepreneurship, creativity, research, and placemaking converge. Lund Innovation District brings together academia, industry, startups, organizations, and the public sector to create powerful synergies and drive interdisciplinary transformation.

By connecting people, places, and ideas, we are positioning Lund as a global destination for collaboration, partnerships, and sustainable innovation.

Steering group Lund Innovation District
Anders Almgren, Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board and Municipal Councillor in Lund Municipality
Kristina Eneroth, Pro-Rector at Lund University
Pia Kinhult, Head of Host Country Relations at ESS.

Lund Innovation District – Global impact within walking distance
30,000 work in research and innovation
4500 + are researchers at Lund University
150 + countries are represented
1400 companies

Link to more information about Lund Innovation District at Future by Lund website

Link to more information about Lund Innovation District at Lund University website

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