Northern Sweden is characterised by several large industrial companies, which generate large export values and account for a significant share of employment in the region, both directly and indirectly through production, services and services. In recent years, an extensive structural transformation process has changed the industrial structure, an increasing part of production has been placed in countries with lower labour costs. In recent years, some companies have also moved out research and development in order to reduce costs and to cope with the supply of skills. Despite this development, industry is still a significant part of the business sector in Northern Central Sweden. The project Smart Industry Northern Central Sweden is co-financed with SEK 2 500 000 within the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth’s national programme Smart Industry in the regions. Goal The overall goal is a long-term sustainable industry in Northern Central Sweden. The project will result in a joint strategy and development platform for new industrialisation in Northern Central Sweden, based on increased cooperation between academia, business and politics at local, regional, national and international levels. Sub-targets are 1. Establishing a development and collaboration platform for new industrialisation in Northern Sweden 2. Innovative pilot projects for increased renewal capacity in SMEs in the region in 3. Develop knowledge and test new ways of working for digitalisation in small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. 4. Develop knowledge, working methods/models to increase the process maturity of small and medium-sized enterprises. 5. Communication platform describing local and regional assets from an industrial perspective and implementing initiatives that make the industrial sector visible in Northern Central Sweden. 6. Develop a learning model to create a good host for industrial activities. Implementation The project will operate at different levels and in broad collaboration to achieve the objectives. Targeted operational efforts for the business sector will take place through a number of pilots in the various focus areas of smart industry. Primarily in the field of digitalisation and competence supply, which are highlighted as the most important issues in the regional pre-studies carried out. Examples of operational initiatives in companies are Kick-start pilots as well as needs analysis and advice in digitalisation and pilot projects in learning models, gender equality and integration. The project will also contribute to increased collaboration and coordination between the counties’ industrial initiatives. A common platform will be formed for industry, academia and the public sector, where experiences and learning from the pilots carried out will result in long-term sustainable structures. The project will also exchange experiences and learning with other regions within the EU Expected results and effects After project completion, innovative pilot projects are expected to be launched in all four focus areas; Industry 4.0/digitalisation, Sustainable Production, Knowledgelift and Testbädd Sverige Innovative models and ways of working for increased digitisation and process maturity have been developed and tested, leading to efficiency and specialisation in small and medium-sized industrial companies. Network of decision-makers in the region has been established that works with advocacy efforts and opportunities from a new industrialisation perspective. Increased cooperation between actors results in a more efficient business development work and a larger share of the resources will benefit the industrial companies. In the longer term, efforts will lead to increased value added, specialisation and efficiency in the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises. More efficient processes and an increased knowledge content in SMEs create conditions for growth in the entire industrial sector. The region’s hostness regarding industrial activities has been clarified and developed towards world-class hosting.