The Sustainable Steel Region (SSR) project aims to develop a regional innovation platform that strengthens regional innovation capacity in the field of Advanced Steel, by developing new and existing SMEs based on the innovation potential of the steel industry’s transformation. Through the efforts, the SSR wants to strengthen the regional steel industry indirectly and in the long term. The project’s ambition is in the first phase to establish an innovation platform that, based on the steel industry’s need for transformation, initiates R & I projects that develop solutions to the practical challenges the steel industry faces when it transitions from fossil fuels to electrification. The R & I projects and activities in the SSR have a clear link to green transition. SSR’s ambition is based on using the industry’s need for green transition, to reach and contribute to climate goals, as potential for new business in international markets. The project has the following objectives: The project aims to mobilise around three regional challenges: — Address the challenges identified within the Industrial Transition Pilot. —Capitalise on the steel industry’s ambition to change in order to reduce its climate footprint. —Ensure the need for excellence required for the transition and further development thereafter. The overall goal of the project is to mobilise the innovation potential of the steel industry’s transformation in Norra Mellansverige. —Mobilisation of the innovation platform — Steel-related excellence -Innovation -Marketing the industrial region To achieve these goals, the project will use different work packages; Work package: Steel-related Excellence Based on current situation and trends, carry out a mapping of knowledge needs in order to arrive at relevant efforts with the needs owners and create networks, engagement and participation within universities, with relevant strategic orientations and capabilities. Depending on the needs of the innovation projects, connect to national and international knowledge environments and initiate strategic collaborations with leading international academies, institutes and other research environments. Work package: Innovation Identify challenges in the steel industry that link to transition and are scalable in international markets. Investigate the conditions for translating these challenges into R & I projects. Build networks and strategic collaborations with stakeholders who can develop knowledge and technologies that meet the challenges. Create the conditions for implementation by establishing and coordinating relevant R & I projects. Coordinate activities based on common starting points with other innovation actors in the regions concerned. Work together nationally and internationally to build cross-regional and cross-border cooperation that strengthens regions in the niche areas concerned Work Packages: Develop the Summer Research School into a meeting place for steel-related researchers where the regional industry has the opportunity to show off as an attractive employer. Package the knowledge base, innovation projects and companies under a common brand to showcase the region as a leading knowledge region at conferences and fairs.