New project contributes to sustainable development and strengthened growth
How do we cope with the demand for equipment and, for example, snow in an environmentally sustainable way when the climate gets warmer? This is one of many focuses in the Sports Tech Research Center's new sustainability project "Multidimensional Sustainability".
The project, which has been granted just over SEK 10 million from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, and encompasses a total of approximately SEK 20 million, will run until 2026 and aims to contribute to regional and local development.
The initiative includes several different sub-projects that all have sustainability as a common theme, whether it is about the environment or contributing to a more active and healthy lifestyle. One example is initiatives to make para sports more equal and thus also contribute to the development of para sports for more than elite athletes.
"In para sports, the competitors have varying degrees of disability and they struggle to make the division into different classes fair. In this project, we want to investigate how we can contribute by developing sports equipment and race tracks so that you can perform more equally. It will also contribute to parasport and make it easier for people with disabilities to engage in sports, sports and movement on their own terms," says Mikael Bäckström, Centre Director at the Sports Tech Research Centre.
A third sustainability goal for the project is to contribute to business development and jobs in the region. Mid Sweden University's Sports Tech Research Center works closely with several small and medium-sized companies in Jämtland-Härjedalen and Västernorrland. The centre contributes with the latest research in everything from environmentally smart material choices for outdoor recreation to development in parasport or medical aids.
"We often get questions about the need to evaluate a material or product in its function, but also to make it more environmentally friendly and sustainable. We evaluate, develop and test the products in our research environment, and the companies can then take that knowledge further. In this way, companies can comply with stricter sustainability laws and meet customer demand and demands for the products," says Mikael Bäckström.
Through the project's many different sub-activities, cooperation with companies in the region and also actors nationally and internationally is strengthened. Mikael Bäckström sees that it also contributes to new and fruitful collaborations for companies in the region.
"We will be a player that puts different companies in contact with each other so that they can find partners to collaborate with and further develop their operations and production," he says.
The project is also financed by Mid Sweden University, Rolf and Gunilla Enström foundation and the municipality of Östersund.
Contact person:
Mikael Bäckström, Centre Manager at the Sports Tech Research Centre, 070-540 06 74, mikael.backstrom@miun.se