About FIRS

The Research and Innovation Council in Skåne (FIRS) is a forum for key stakeholders working with research and innovation in Skåne. It is not a traditional decision making body, but a forum for discussing and acting together on opportunities as they arise. FIRS’ role is to find ways to drive common issues forward, and initiate processes deemed necessary.

FIRS works both reactively and proactively. Proactively, there is a common steering document, the International Innovation Strategy for Skåne. Based on this, FIRS actors have since 2012 been working on initiating development initiatives in Skåne, with a particular focus on three innovation areas (the Region’s smart specialisation areas); Smart sustainable cities, Personal health and Smart materials. At the same time, FIRS has acted jointly on a number of critical events such as the closure of Astra Zeneca in Lund and downsizing at Sony’s site in Lund.

FIRS consists of representatives at the management level from Region Skåne, the region's universities and colleges, municipal representatives from Malmö, Lund, Kristianstad and Helsingborg, the Association of Local Authorities, and the business sector.