Development programmes

1. Aim and purpose of the programme

The overall objective of the Operational Programme is to strengthen the international competitiveness of the Stockholm region. It will focus mainly on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and increased cooperation between the industrial sector, the research sector and the public sector. The Programme will support also entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation and increase the integration of immigrants.

The Programme aims to create 300 new businesses and 1300 new jobs for men and women. Another 3150 business will participate in defined project areas. The Programme will focus on improving knowledge development, increasing export and stimulating effective energy use. In addition, entrepreneurship and business development are focal points of the Operational Programme. Another important aspect is to improve accessibility in the region.

2. Expected impact of investments

The Programme is expected to create 1300 new jobs and 300 new businesses. Some 400 businesses will participate in the development of (international) markets, product development or lowering energy consumption. Another 250 companies will cooperate with the aim to boost innovation, 250 companies will participate in projects on entrepreneurship and 45 cooperative business networks will be started. In addition, 2500 businesses will receive start-up advice and 100 companies will receive risk capital support. All projects should include at least 40% women as participants.

3. Priorities

The Regional Operational Programme for Stockholm is structured along the following priorities:

Priority 1: Development of innovative environments in the urban area [approximately 40.0% of total funding]

The aim of the priority is to assist in knowledge development, commercialization of goods and services internally and for export, make use of the competence of the whole population, support energy and resource effectiveness. Clusters and innovation systems will be promoted and meeting places created for supporting innovation and development through advice and counselling and provision of risk capital. The prevention of discrimination is also an important issue.

Priority 2: Business development [approximately 32.0% of total funding]

The aim of the priority is to provide information, training and counselling for SMEs and entrepreneurs, as well financial engineering and access to capital. In this context, both JEREMIE and JESSICA are seen as interesting possibilities. Another objective is to strengthen the co-operation between academy and industry.

Priority 3: Accessibility [approximately 24.0% of total funding]

The aim is to improve the accessibility of the larger Stockholm region, assure housing and transportation to meet the population growth, improve co-operation with regions beyond the Stockholm region and improve co-ordination between different types of public and goods transportation.

Priority 4: Technical assistance [approximately 4.0% of total funding]

The aim is to support the management, monitoring and evaluation of the operational programme, and the associated communication and publicity activities.

4. Managing authority