Tag: Innovation

Reports

Innovation small producers - Nordbio

Published:

20/12/2017

Authors:

Þóra Valsdóttir, Óli Þór Hilmarsson, Ólafur Reykdal, Guðjón Þorkelsson, Björn Viðar Aðalbjörnsson

Supported by:

Ministry of Industry and Innovation

Contact

Þóra Valsdóttir

Project Manager

thora.valsdottir@matis.is

Innovation small producers - Nordbio

The aim of the project was to follow up and further support small producers in the wake of innovation projects carried out under NordBio, the Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2014-2016. The main goal of the innovation projects for small producers was to have a direct economic impact through innovation and value creation in the Nordic bioeconomy, thus strengthening regional economic growth. Work was done on 17 innovation projects. The experience of the projects is that knowledge and training are necessary for ideas to come true and for enabling producers to meet all food safety requirements. The Nordbio innovation projects have shown that the use of "innovation credit" can be an effective way to encourage innovation, knowledge transfer and technology to increase the value of living resources. There is a clear need to offer this type of grant to small producers and entrepreneurs in order to encourage innovation and unleash the power of imagination. It would be a great incentive to establish funds that can promote innovation in the spirit of the Nordbio projects.

The aim of the project was to follow up on and support further small-scale producers that participated in innovation projects as a part of the Nordbio program, the Icelandic chairmanship program in the Nordic council of ministers 2014-2016. The overall objective of the innovation projects was to have a direct economic impact through innovation and value creation in the Nordic bioeconomy and thereby strengthen regional and economic growth. 17 innovation projects where carried forward. The projects have shown that knowledge and training are essential for ideas to be realized and to enable manufacturers to meet all food safety requirements. The Nordbio innovation projects have demonstrated that using "innovative voucher" can be an effective way of encouraging innovation, knowledge transfer and technology to increase the value of biofuels. There is apparently a need to offer small producers and entrepreneurs funding of this kind. Establishment of funds under the same format as Nordbio functioned with innovation vouchers can enable increased value creation through innovation.

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Reports

Snæfellsnes Bioeconomy Analysis - The Impact of Innovation and Discoveries / Bioeconomy Assessment - The Impact of Innovation and Discoveries

Published:

21/11/2017

Authors:

Birgir Örn Smárason, Íris Mýrdal Kristinsdóttir, Ragnheiður Sveinþórsdóttir, Arnljótur B. Bergsson

Supported by:

Snæfellsnesbær, Stykkishólmsbær, Grundarfjarðarbær

Contact

Birgir Örn Smárason

Research Group Leader

birgir@matis.is

Snæfellsnes Bioeconomy Analysis - The Impact of Innovation and Discoveries / Bioeconomy Assessment - The Impact of Innovation and Discoveries

The aim of the project is to strengthen the knowledge base of ecological development and thereby promote better utilization of raw materials from the ecosystem in and around Snæfellsnes with increased sustainable value creation, especially in terms of nutrients and the need to feed fish, as a guideline. The project was carried out with the support of the municipalities of Snæfellsnes, Snæfellsbær, Grundafjarðarbær and Stykkishólmsbær. The project was divided into four sections. The results of the study indicate, among other things, that the most important criteria for entrepreneurs' utilization of natural resources come from knowledge of the environment, the impact of their location, knowledge of specific areas and their possibilities, as well as the knowledge of the entrepreneur in question. The motivation is the result of external factors such as value creation, product development, passion for clean production and less waste, as well as an interest in sustainable, organic production. Regulations prove to be both an incentive and an obstacle for entrepreneurs, as they are well implemented and strictly work well, while others that are not as well thought out stand in the way of sustainable action. Funds and grants do not play a major role in exploiting opportunities, however, entrepreneurs rely on their own capital, they develop their products slowly and utilize resources from previous production and development.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the knowledge base of ecological development and thereby support the improved utilization of raw materials in and around Snæfellsnes with increased sustainable value creation, especially regarding nutrients and feeding farmed fish as a guiding principle. The project was carried out with the support of the municipalities in Snæfellsnes, Snæfellsbær, Grundafjörður and Stykkishólmsbær. The project was described and separated into four work packages. The results of this research indicate, among other things, that the most important prerequisites for the use of natural resources by entrepreneurs are the knowledge of the environment, the effects of their location, the knowledge on specific areas and their possibilities, as well as the skills of the relevant entrepreneur. The motivation is the result of external factors such as value creation, product development, passion for cleaner production and less waste, along with an interest in sustainable organic production. Regulations are both incentives and obstacles to entrepreneurs, where the well-executed and strict regulations work well but others that are less well-founded stand in the way of sustainable operations. Funds and grants do not play a major role in the utilization of opportunities, on the other hand, the entrepreneurs trust on their own financial resources, they slowly develop their products and make use of resources from previous production and development.

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Reports

Nordtic Conference Report / Conference on the Nordic Bioeconomy

Published:

08/12/2014

Authors:

Sigrún Elsa Smáradóttir, Þóra Valsdóttir

Supported by:

NordBio

Contact

Þóra Valsdóttir

Project Manager

thora.valsdottir@matis.is

Nordtic Conference Report / Conference on the Nordic Bioeconomy

A conference on the Nordic bioeconomy was held on 25 June at Hotel Selfoss. During the chairmanship of the Icelandic government in the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014, the bioeconomy has been the focus of Nordic co-operation, with Nordbio being the largest of the three focus areas during the Icelandic Presidency. NordBio's main goal is to strengthen the Nordic bioeconomy by maximizing the use of organic resources, limiting waste and stimulating innovation, thereby strengthening the Nordic bioeconomy. The Nordtic conference was held in connection with the annual meeting of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Fisheries, Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MR-FJLS). About 100 guests from all over the Nordic region took part in the conference. Conference guests were offered a special taste of innovation in the north when the results of innovation and food projects, within NordBio, were presented and tasted. The projects were managed by Matís.

Conference on Nordic Bioeconomy and Arctic Bioeconomy was held on June 25th at Hotel Selfoss in Iceland. During the Icelandic chairmanship in The Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014 bioeconomy has been at the center of Nordic cooperation, as NordBio is the largest of three programs under the Icelandic chairmanship. The main objective of NordBio is to strengthen the Nordic Bioeconomy by optimizing utilization of biological resources, minimizing waste and stimulating innovation thus bolstering the Nordic Bioeconomy. The “Nordtic” conference was held in connections with an annual meeting of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MR-FJLS). Around 100 people from all the Nordic countries participated in the conference. The conference participants were offered a special taste of innovation from the high north as results from food production projects, innovation projects under NordBio led by Matis, were presented and tasted.

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Reports

The Food Cluster "Region of Vatnajökull"

Published:

01/03/2010

Authors:

Guðmundur H. Gunnarsson

Supported by:

Klasar (Icelandic Innovation Center)

The Food Cluster "Region of Vatnajökull"

The project supported the development of the Food Cluster in the State of Vatnajökull. The main goals were to build efficient grassroots activities within the cluster, work on the development of a common image, work on promotional material for Food in the State of Vatnajökull and last but not least work on defined product development projects to strengthen the selection of local gourmet food in the area. The project was successful in all respects. Participants in the food cluster work closely together in the continuation of the project. A common and clear image of products from the State of Vatnajökull has been built up. Among other things, a cookbook and experience book was published where we discuss products, producers and their environment in the State of Vatnajökull. The book has now sold about 2000 copies. The project led the group to start running a joint home market store in Pakkhúsið in Höfn in the summer of 2009, which turned into a weekly market during the winter of 2009-2010. A number of products are now ready for sale following the product development process.

In the project the focus was on strengthening the infrastructure of the Food Cluster “Region of Vatnajökull”. The main aims were to ensure efficient collaboration between different food industry entrepreneurs and designing a strong joint image for the cluster. Other aim was to publish fully designed promotional material for the initiative and to carry out product development to further strengthen local food products catalog. We succeeded in fulfilling all the major aims of the project. The cluster is now very capable of strong collaboration. A strong joint image for the cluster has been designed and applied for promotional purposes. The cluster published recipe and experience local food ‐ book covering the local products, producers and culture. The cluster operated a local food store in the town of Höfn during the summer of 2009. The store was changed into a weekly local food market in the winter 2009‐2010. Various new products were also developed to increase the local food diversity of the region.

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