Tag: Small producers

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

Workshop on SMEs and Nordic Food Competence Centers - Ny Nordisk Mad II / Workshop on food factories and new Nordic foods

Published:

01/05/2012

Authors:

Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir, Guðjón Þorkelsson

Supported by:

New Nordic Food

Contact

Guðjón Þorkelsson

Strategic Scientist

gudjon.thorkelsson@matis.is

Workshop on SMEs and Nordic Food Competence Centers - New Nordic Mad II / Workshop on food factories and new Nordic foods

All over the Nordic countries, there are food factories that provide entrepreneurs and small producers with advice and access to production facilities. The food factories have organized courses, conferences and helped to form networks and exchange experiences. There are 5 such workshops in Norway that Nofima runs with the support of Innovation Norway. In Iceland, there are three food factories that Matís runs in collaboration with municipalities and business development associations. In Finland, the Food Development Competence Cluster is part of the National Center of Expertise Program and has five food factories around the country. There are many such workshops in Sweden, for example there are counseling centers in Jämtland for farmers who produce milk on a small scale. In the town of Östersund, which was voted "Unesco City of Gastronomy" in 2011, you will find Eldrimner, a national center for small producers in Sweden. In Denmark, there are many different centers with a similar approach, ie. to support entrepreneurs and small producers. The aim of this workshop was for representatives from all these food workshops to meet and learn from each other, build networks and come up with ideas on how activities such as these could support and strengthen "New Nordic Food".

In all Nordic countries there are competence centers that offer entrepreneurs and very small scale producers services like consultation, processing facilities, courses, seminars, networks, work practice exchanges and more. In Norway there are five centers run by Nofima and supported by Innovation Norway. In Iceland there are three run by Matís in collaboration with local authorities and support agencies. In Finland the Food Development Competence Cluster is a part of the National Center of Expertise Program with five food centers around the country. In Sweden there are many centers for example: Resource center for small scale dairy production in Jamtland. In Östersund the Unesco city of gastronomy 2011 we have "Eldrimner", the Swedish National Center for Small Scale Artisan Food Processing giving producers the best possible support. In Denmark there are many different centers with the same approach to support entrepreneurs and small scale producers. The aim of this seminar/workshop was to bring the Competence Centers together for two days to get to know and learn from each other; build a network and to discuss and come up with proposals on how these activities can support and strengthen New Nordic Food.

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