When the European Commission presented its proposal for the next long-term budget in the summer, many people took notice, not least those of us in Dalarna. The budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), has a major impact on the resources available for regional development. At present, it accounts for more than half of the capital used in Sweden to strengthen innovation capacity, support the climate transition and develop business and skills supply.
But what does the new proposal actually say? And perhaps more importantly, what does it not say?
This is discussed in the latest episode of the Studio Brussels podcast, a live episode recorded during Science Week x Sweden's Innovation Riksdag in Södertälje. On stage are Angelica Ekholm, CEO of Dalarna Science Park, Matilda Eriksson, Development Manager in Region Örebro County, and Ebba Bjerkander and Elinor Jakobsson from Central Sweden. Together they will analyze the EU's budget proposal and what consequences it may have for Swedish regions.
The conversation moves between big politics and concrete reality, providing a clear picture of how the EU's choices affect everything from individual innovation projects to regions' long-term development strategies.
Behind the podcast is Central Sweden, the joint EU office of Region Dalarna, Region Gävleborg and Region Örebro County in Brussels. Through its presence in the center of the EU, the office works to increase the member regions' influence and knowledge of the Union's decisions and initiatives.
About the EU's long-term budget
EU cohesion policy, funded through the long-term budget, is the Union's main investment tool for creating sustainable, inclusive and innovative growth. It enables regions like Dalarna to develop according to their own strengths and needs, and helps reduce disparities between different parts of Europe.
Central Sweden
Central Sweden is a joint EU office for Region Dalarna, Region Gävleborg and Region Örebro County. The office works with external monitoring, representation and networking, skills enhancement initiatives and support for the member regions' political influence and project development in EU issues. Studio Brussels is Central Sweden's podcast where current EU initiatives are discussed from a regional perspective.
