Deadline: 10-Sep-2025
The call for proposals is part of the SustainGov program under the broader Impact Innovation initiative, led by the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas, and Vinnova. SustainGov aims to reform the public sector to promote health, well-being, and sustainable development for all, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status.
This funding opportunity supports implementation projects where various actors collaborate to explore and improve ways of organizing, financing, governing, and working within the public sector. These projects may also involve cooperation between the public sector and other societal sectors.
SustainGov, with a goal set for 2035, is focused on transforming the public sector to better serve individuals and support a sustainable society. It emphasizes holistic approaches that prioritize health, well-being, and sustainability within planetary boundaries.
There are four main focus areas of the program. The first is system-wide collaboration for individuals with complex care needs, fostering cooperation between healthcare and social care providers. The second area promotes an inclusive society that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations through co-creation and public responsibility. The third area centers on ensuring food security and a sustainable food system. The final area reimagines the social contract by strengthening relationships between the public sector, citizens, businesses, and civil society.
The grant can be up to SEK 4 million, covering no more than 70% of eligible project costs. Each project should last 12 to 24 months and begin no later than December 1, 2025. Between three to seven projects per focus area are expected to be funded.
Key expected outcomes include transitioning from reactive to proactive approaches, shifting from organization-centered to individualized interactions, and focusing more on long-term impact than short-term process metrics. The program also emphasizes treating individuals as active co-creators in solution development.
Projects must clearly address one or more focus areas and show commitment to public sector reform. They should aim to create scalable, business-related solutions that can integrate into core operations beyond the individual project.
Eligible costs include personnel expenses, equipment and premises rental (excluding regular business premises), consulting and licensing fees (up to 20%, or more if justified), direct costs like materials and travel, and indirect costs like overhead (up to 30% of personnel costs, with exceptions for certain institutions).
Projects must be jointly implemented by at least three legal entities, including two public sector need owners at different administrative levels. The coordinating party must be a Swedish public sector entity such as a municipality or government agency, and all project partners must be legal entities (no individuals or sole proprietors).
Proposals must be written in Swedish or English and include all required attachments. The project may not start before submission, and the coordinating party must be a public sector stakeholder with operations based in Sweden.
For more information, visit Vinnova.
