From research to action - 55 projects to make an impact

How can football supporters' urine become fertilizer? Is it possible to protect Sami land rights with digital education? And can a game help us understand conflicts of interest in forestry? These are some of the questions that 55 projects are now receiving funding to address through Formas' call Effekt! From research to use.

The projects awarded funding will translate research-based knowledge into concrete actions that will be put to practical use and contribute to solutions to various societal challenges. The projects are carried out in close collaboration between researchers, stakeholders and practitioners, and span areas such as climate, food, community building, animal welfare and water issues.

Breadth in content and method

Among the projects granted, there is a great variety in both theme and method. Some examples:

• SafeBite - developing a graphene-based biosensor that enables rapid detection of listeria directly in food environments.
• BuildFEL! Learning from mistakes for sustainable construction - creating a digital portal that collects lessons learned from construction errors to reduce resource waste and climate impact.
• Next generation breeding tool for genetic diversity projection and sustainable livestock breeding - developing a digital decision support tool to help breeders preserve genetic diversity and improve animal welfare.

- We see an impressive range of projects now receiving support. Projects include initiatives that strengthen the Baltic Sea algae sector, develop new methods to reduce textile waste, and develop solutions for circular meals in the public sector. "The wide variety shows that research has the potential to contribute to real societal benefits, regardless of the field," says Tove Andréasson Derner, Formas investigator.

Several projects use artistic expression as a tool to reach out with research. These include performing arts, exhibitions, audio tours, design and stories that engage and create understanding. One example is the project Gestaltad omställning, which develops tools for municipalities to work with future issues through artistic methods. Another is My favourite garment, which highlights sustainable textile use through personal stories and local mobilization.

Among the 55 projects are those that focus on participatory processes, living labs and inclusive workshops that strengthen collaboration, capacity and engagement. Other projects use advanced technological approaches such as enzymatic hydrolysis for plastic recycling, automated image analysis and 3D technology for animal health. Supporter Pee for the Planet is testing circular solutions by turning football supporters' urine into fertilizer. The EcoSortproject will develop smart robotics to make textile recycling more efficient.

- It is gratifying to see the diversity of approaches that projects are using to put research to use. How art, culture and co-creation are used as a bridge between research and society creates new ways of engagement, understanding and change," says Anna Hult, acting head of the Department of Spatial Planning at Formas.

Collaboration and long-term social benefit

A common feature of the funded projects is that they are based on collaboration between different actors - researchers, businesses, municipalities, civil society and authorities. All projects are based on concrete needs and have a clear target group. The aim is to create initiatives that can be scaled up and contribute to long-term effects in society.

The call for proposals is a merger of two previous initiatives - the communication call and Research-driven solutions for a sustainable transition. Each project has been able to apply for up to SEK 4 million to carry out activities that translate research into new ways of working, products, services, processes or other capacity-building initiatives.

About the call

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