Overall goals are concrete and sustainable efforts for a low-carbon economy by establishing a strategic exchange of knowledge between academia and small and medium-sized companies in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The aim of the project is to identify and develop small and medium-sized companies with great potential for energy efficiency in collaboration between the region’s higher education institutions and other actors in the field of energy and environment. The project will lead to concrete energy efficiency or transition to renewable energy, either at the company’s own company or through the company in turn to achieve energy efficiency in other companies or in the rest of society through e.g. the development of a new product or service. To achieve the project goal, a number of sub-goals have been set that must be achieved by the end of the project: — Each participating company must have implemented concrete developments for energy efficiency either in their own company or other companies, such as new products/services with the help of the KTP model. — At least 70 % of KTP academies will be offered continued work in some form, such as permanent employment, co-ownership or assignments as self-employed persons. — Have developed KTP to become a long-term sustainable concept as a natural part of the innovation system of the regions (Dalarna and Gävleborg). It should also provide a basis for continued expansion to other regions in and outside Sweden. — Among stakeholders at both regional and national levels increase knowledge about the KTP system. The core of KTP is a number of business-based development projects in the area of low-carbon economy. The focus areas will be the areas where higher education institutions currently have high competence and expanded national/international network, which are: The use of renewable energy, energy efficient systems and energy efficient construction (including energy-efficient building materials such as wood-based building materials) The companies will have access to a recently graduated KTP academic (or doctoral student) for a period of 1-2 years who will get a project employment at the university but with a position at the company. Companies pay half their pay. A qualified supervisor from the university as well as lab resources are linked to the KTP academic/company half a day a week. To ensure business development of the KTP project, a qualified business coach is connected. The implementation takes place in collaboration with other actors such as the region’s clusters and incubators. KTP process in general: 1. Identify companies with strategic development needs in the region 2. Analys & Selection of companies, through a deep analysis model of the TBN type and a selected selection group 3. Matching/rigging the needs of companies against the competencies of academics. 4. Recruitment of KTP academics takes place on a national basis in 5. Implementation of the development project in 1-2 in 6. Completion/implementation The project will also work to further develop models, long-term anchoring and financing as well as benchmarking activities, primarily towards the UK The foundation of the project is the development needs of participating companies in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy and are based on highly active efforts from companies. After the project period, participating companies are expected to have received support to implement strategic development efforts in energy efficiency and several academics have been offered further work. Increased collaboration of higher education institutions – the business sector in energy efficiency and increased collaboration between higher education institutions in Dalarna and Gävleborg. The initiative has entailed a boost of competence at companies and higher education institutions. Higher education institutions have a clearer role in innovation work in the region In the long term, KTP is expected to be a long-term sustainable concept that will benefit all three parties, academics, companies and higher education institutions. About 70 % of participating academics get work. The participating companies have increased their investments in R & D and equipment, profits have increased through new products/services.