Developing smart city solutions using the Innovation Partnership method: how does it work? Lessons from Växjö

This article focuses on the innovation partnership (IP) model. This model opens new avenues for public bodies, including cities, to co-create solutions together with private companies or other innovators. It was introduced in 2014, but so far public bodies have been hesitant to adopt it: it is only scarcely used.

In the UIA-funded DIACCESS project, started in 2019, the Swedish city of Växjö has embraced this model to co-develop smart city solutions with suppliers, and has so far already learned many lessons that are very relevant for other cities. In this zoom-in, we explain how the IP model works; then, we scrutinize how Växjö has adopted it: what problems were encountered in the various stages, and what lessons can be learned from that?