Småland and the islands are a highly innovative region but currently have a low position in Sweden in relation to other regions. In order to increase productivity in the business sector, collaboration between companies, innovation environments and academia needs to be strengthened and applied research that is close to the companies' challenges needs to be further developed. But it is a challenge to attract SMEs to education and research at the university. There is currently a lack of long-term collaboration between different parties. Through interviews, dialogue with stakeholders and contact-making site visits with SMEs in Kalmar and Kronoberg, the pre-study aims to formulate a proposal for how a Centre for Energy and Environment can be organised and financed to serve as a platform for long-term collaboration between Linnaeus University, SMEs and business-promoting actors on energy and environmental issues. The pre-study will be run in collaboration with GodaHus, an association that promotes Energy-efficient and Sustainable Buildings in the Southeast.