She aims to secure millions in funding from Brussels for Rogaland
Eline Vigre will lead Nordic Edge's new competence environment around the EU. She brings with her solid experience from EU projects, application writing, political trends and the flair needed to shape such an environment.
Photo: Eline Vigre and Terje Eide. Photo: Andreas Amdal Østrem
- Eline stood out early in the process. Both her expertise and motivation shone through early on, says Terje Eide, CEO of Nordic Edge, who is delighted with the appointment.
Eline Vigre comes from the position of coordinator and advisor in the City of Stavanger's international staff. Here she has had key roles in the EU project Triangulum and EU Cities Mission.
- I've worked with EU projects for many years. The kind of expertise that will be built here has been lacking in the region for a long time. I'm looking forward to working directly on developing this, says Vigre enthusiastically.
Connecting Rogaland to the EU's innovation engine
Europe is investing heavily in innovation, restructuring and new solutions. Rogaland has the expertise, but still lacks a professional environment that can lead EU processes all the way from idea, through applications to implementation.
- We are looking to the EU to ensure that Rogaland and Norway have the capital needed to maintain and strengthen their competitiveness. In the public sector, we also see that funds are being prioritized for statutory tasks, so it's more important than ever to secure funding for the initiatives that will create the future, says Eide.
High ambitions
The mandate is clear: Companies and municipalities in Rogaland must secure more funding for innovation projects through the EU programs. The ambition is for the region to bring home NOK 350 million in EU project funding during the first three years. Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank has made this initiative possible.
Read also: Nordic Edge receives NOK 5 million to launch EU initiative
- Eline has both the experience and the qualities we were looking for in the recruitment process. She knows the EU system and has built the relationships needed to succeed in this landscape, says Eide.
The timing is no coincidence. In recent years, the EU has stepped up the pace of innovation in climate, energy, digitalization and health.
- Innovation projects always boil down to financing and risk. The fact that we have access to the world's largest innovation and research program is an opportunity we use far too little, says Vigre.
Vigre adds that many in the region have succeeded in obtaining funding from the EU system:
- We've been good at positioning ourselves, and we've been good at applying for funding. This initiative is about being in the driver's seat, not just taking part in things. It's about being proactive, building consortia and tailoring projects to our needs, says Vigre.
From follower to frontrunner
Eline Vigre starts her job on June 1. The order is clear: Rogaland will no longer be on the sidelines when the EU allocates billions to innovation projects to ensure green and digital transformation.
- Social development is my driving force. I want to help solve the challenges that make people's everyday lives better, says Vigre.
