GREEN GROWTH THE NORDIC WAY Green growth is a key priority for Nordic co-operation in the coming years. “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” is the Nordic Prime Ministers’ shared green growth initiative under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The green growth initiative is a vision based on the joint utilization of Nordic strengths in a number of areas including research and innovation. The project described here is part of this effort, involving the following Councils of Ministers: Education&Research, Energy, Trade. See more at www.norden.org/greengrowth or read the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org How can the Nordic countries become more bio-based societies through research and innovation? A vision of the Nordic region at the forefront of green growth underlies the new Nordic research programme on green growth currently under development at NordForsk. AIM AND OUTCOME The transition to a sustainable society based on renewable resources will require more knowledge about how climate change, economic growth and utilisation of renewable bio- based resources interact. The five-year multidisciplinary programme will be based on three integrated thematic areas: the bioeconomy, understanding societal change, and adaptation to climate change. A Programme Committee composed of representatives of the programme’s funding bodies will be appointed to further develop the content of the programme and decide on funding instruments. The new programme will build on Nordic excellence and the strengths of the Nordic Top-level Research Initiative, including the research projects on climate change and green growth. Development and transfer of knowledge from the research community to the public and private sectors is key, if the Nordic societies are to maintain their competitive edge. NordForsk will along with Nordic Innovation explore possibilities for co-funding research and innovation activities on the bioeconomy under the green growth programme. TIME LINE Tentatively 2015–2019 PARTNERS NordForsk and the Nordic Council of Ministers have earmarked approximately EUR 3.5 million and EUR 1 million, respectively, for the programme. Both contributions are contingent on support from the Nordic countries. NordForsk is currently in consultation with the Nordic countries to seek support for the programme. CONTACT Unni Rørslett Senior Adviser, NordForsk +47 906 86 141 [email protected] NORDIC RESEARCH PROGRAMME ON GREEN GROWTH