NDPC study on cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation across CCIs

A recent study published by the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC) suggests, amongst other findings, that there are seven important cross-sectoral innovation elements which should be taken into account when developing policy in this area.

The analytical study 'Collaboration and Innovation' provides the basis for defining the potential for CCI cross-sectoral innovation in the Northern Dimension countries. It focuses on initiatives from the region and related international opportunities.

Involving over 100 contributors, the study analyses the data of 121 case studies from 11 countries.

Key findings include:

• Cross-innovations revitalise economic and social life in the Northern Dimension countries
• 7 important innovation trends that policy makers should pay attention to
• How to collaborate effectively to innovate - challenges & solutions in 3 domains
• How to create a successful cross-innovation process
• The profile of key stakeholders
• The 3 most evident impacts from collaborative innovation

The 7 innovation trends identified are:

• Connectivity is the key to the preparatory phase of cross-sectoral innovation teamwork;
• CCIs’ roles as mediators or initiators of cross-sectoral innovation to be better understood;
• Multilevel approaches should embrace innovation risks taken by diverse partners; 
• A broader definition of CCI innovation and its impact (including ‘soft’ innovation) to be adopted;
• Attention needs to be given to long-term assessment of impact and tracking of results;
• A broader vision of cross-innovation in relation to sustainable development goals (SDG) is timely;
• Legal frameworks to be developed to facilitate CCIs’ involvement in cross-sectoral innovation.

The report and case studies can be downloaded at: http://ndpccrossinno.eu/

The study “Collaboration and Innovation in the Northern Dimension Countries” was carried out within the framework of an EU-funded study project “Cross-sectoral cooperation and innovation within Creative and Cultural Industries - practices, opportunities and policies within the area of the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture”. The project was conceived and its activities supported by the NDPC secretariat.

Cross-sectoral cooperation and innovation within Creative and Cultural Industries - practices, opportunities and policies within the area of the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC)

This project funded by the European Union involved the eleven Northern Dimension countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation and Sweden).