S-P-O-K
Basic information
Project Title
S-P-O-K
Full project title
Contemporary manufacturing and consumption
Category
Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
Project Description
SPOK is a production platform that aims to gather and spread knowledge about local manufacturing possibilities ranging from handicrafts to industries across Sweden. The purpose of this initiative is to help designers, architects, artists and entrepreneurs to more easily find sustainable production opportunities in their vicinity and facilitate innovative collaborations. SPOK aims to promote the development of local and sustainable production and in the long term also more sustainable consumption
Geographical Scope
National
Project Region
Sweden
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
SPOK (Contemporary production and consumption) is a platform for production and knowledge sharing that aims to collect and spread knowledge about local manufacturing possibilities. By moving from global to local manufacturing and strengthening the conditions for geographically close production and consumption, we see the platform as part of a long-term sustainable development.
Target group 1 – Users: form practitioners of various kinds such as designers, architects, entrepreneurs, innovators and artists looking for specific
production alternatives, materials or who need advice on
manufacturing.
Target group 2 – Manufacturers: From craft to industy that can and
wants to take assignments to manufacture a prototype/single piece or series
of products for someone else.
SPOK was founded by designer Jenny Nordberg and was launched in 2016 in Skåne. Since SPOK started several projects have been carried out to promote business development and facilitate cooperation between creative companies and the manufacturing industry.
In 2019, SPOK was granted funding from the Agency for Growth to upgrade the web platform so that it could be replicated and implemented in the whole of Sweden. The goal was to strengthen the conditions for knowledge provision, manufacturing and industrialization as well as work for more job opportunities throughout the country and spread the concept nationally with the help of a network of autonomous, regional hubs that locally manage the listing of companies.
In 2020, Region Halland, Region Västra Götaland and Region Blekinge were the first to join SPOK. Today SPOK has eight connected hubs that run independently with more on the way. In addition to listing manufacturers, the hubs carry out projects and activities to strengthen cooperation between creative industries and the manufacturing industry. As of November, 2023 SPOK has 360 listed manufacturers.
Target group 1 – Users: form practitioners of various kinds such as designers, architects, entrepreneurs, innovators and artists looking for specific
production alternatives, materials or who need advice on
manufacturing.
Target group 2 – Manufacturers: From craft to industy that can and
wants to take assignments to manufacture a prototype/single piece or series
of products for someone else.
SPOK was founded by designer Jenny Nordberg and was launched in 2016 in Skåne. Since SPOK started several projects have been carried out to promote business development and facilitate cooperation between creative companies and the manufacturing industry.
In 2019, SPOK was granted funding from the Agency for Growth to upgrade the web platform so that it could be replicated and implemented in the whole of Sweden. The goal was to strengthen the conditions for knowledge provision, manufacturing and industrialization as well as work for more job opportunities throughout the country and spread the concept nationally with the help of a network of autonomous, regional hubs that locally manage the listing of companies.
In 2020, Region Halland, Region Västra Götaland and Region Blekinge were the first to join SPOK. Today SPOK has eight connected hubs that run independently with more on the way. In addition to listing manufacturers, the hubs carry out projects and activities to strengthen cooperation between creative industries and the manufacturing industry. As of November, 2023 SPOK has 360 listed manufacturers.
Key objectives for sustainability
SPOK works for the development of local production throughout Sweden and, by extension, also more local consumption. SPOK actively work with the sustainability aspects in accordance with the Global Goals - Agenda 2030. There in particular sustainability goal 12 - Sustainable production and consumption.
By taking control of manufacturing and moving from global to local manufacturing, we can create completely new systems. Sustainable systems that in a smarter way relates to the climate and environment through all the advantages which a more small-scale and local production entails. Sustainable consumption not only brings environmental benefits but also social and economic benefits such as increased competitiveness, growth on both the local and global market and increased employment.
Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030. SPOK also facilitates the mediation of waste from local industries through its category “waste”. For the listed manufacturers, this opens up for innovative collaboration with designers, innovators or other actors in everything from developing new materials or making sure that the waste is used.
Target 12.5: By 2030, we must significantly reduce the amount of waste through measures to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Manufacturers can minimize the percentage of waste in production by collaborating more with Designers/innovators who have knowledge about product life cycles.
The platform acts as a common umbrella where many small initiatives can gather under. It also enables larger companies and consumers to more easily find possible producers or future collaboration partners.
By taking control of manufacturing and moving from global to local manufacturing, we can create completely new systems. Sustainable systems that in a smarter way relates to the climate and environment through all the advantages which a more small-scale and local production entails. Sustainable consumption not only brings environmental benefits but also social and economic benefits such as increased competitiveness, growth on both the local and global market and increased employment.
Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030. SPOK also facilitates the mediation of waste from local industries through its category “waste”. For the listed manufacturers, this opens up for innovative collaboration with designers, innovators or other actors in everything from developing new materials or making sure that the waste is used.
Target 12.5: By 2030, we must significantly reduce the amount of waste through measures to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Manufacturers can minimize the percentage of waste in production by collaborating more with Designers/innovators who have knowledge about product life cycles.
The platform acts as a common umbrella where many small initiatives can gather under. It also enables larger companies and consumers to more easily find possible producers or future collaboration partners.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
SPOK is completely design driven from the get go. It emerged from an evident need to offer locally produced and sustainable products to consumers. It also works to keep traditional craft values alive through listing unique practitioners and craftsmen, offering and opportunity for new collaborations that might elevate their practice and range. Many times the regions have craft or industrial cultures which are specific to the regions history and or natural resources. By showcasing these we can help these cultures get passed on and evolve.
Key objectives for inclusion
SPOK believes in a common and inclusive elevation of knowledge for the industries and users who SPOK is aimed at. SPOK actively listens in on where the knowledge gaps are and try to actively work to fill them via for example: themed study trips, round table discussions, speed-dating, exhibitions, seminars, publications, souvenir collection, material collection with local materials and the innovation projects such as "What Matter_s", which brought together designers and material researchers from academia and business to create new materials, innovative concepts and business opportunities based on sustainable development. All the knowledge that we generate we also share. The website is public and open to everyone but aimed at professionals. If you want to find a manufacturer, just go in and search for technology, material or region. And if you want to be listed as a manufacturer or if you want to contribute to a new hub somewhere in Sweden, just contact us. Because the initiative is funded by regional subventions its free for both of our main target groups to use the platform. Manufacturers do not pay to be listed and creative companies do not need to pay to find local collaborators. All manufacturers are welcome as long as they agree to be willing to take on assignments for or collaborations with creative companies. There are no requirements of scale of production level. The platdform for everything from one offs, prototypes, experiments, small batch to larger series. This is to encourage collaboration without economic obstruction and facilitate new innovative concepts and business models.
Results in relation to category
Sweden has a long history of manufacturing industry. Parts of the production was moved abroad in recent decades but there is still extensive knowledge and manufacturing left which we work to promote. It is an enormous strength to be able to produce and consume locally. It benefits all parts of society and creates a valuable independence. We have also seen through our work that more and more companies are looking to backshore their production which SPOK helps facilitate. With the strength in the network that has been built we are able to cross pollinate initiatives, create synergies and have progressive and sustainable ways of working trickle down from a national level to regional and even municipal levels. Please see attached file for outcomes and results.
How Citizens benefit
The platform is mainly aimed at professionals in the creative and manufacturing industry but is open and free to just about anyone who has the will, ability and capacity to make something, regardless of technology or material. As described in sub-goal 12.8, Increase the public's knowledge of sustainable lifestyles, it is of the utmost importance that people have the "information and awareness needed for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature". SPOK uses its platform not only as a facilitator for collaborations but also as a knowledge sharing forum to increase the public's knowledge of sustainable consumption choices. In the long term, this can contribute to, among other things, increased employment, improved health and reduced poverty. Almost all initiatives and events organized by SPOK is open to the public. We´ve had many visitors of SPOK initiatives throughout the country. By decentralizing design activities and encouraging collaborations locally we also reach citizens that might not have been introduced to these subjects otherwise.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
This model did not exist before. In the beginning many had a hard time understanding the concept as there were none or very few other initiatives to compare to.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
SPOK works as bridge between cultural industries and manufacturing industries. Two segments that not often interact in this globalized and digitalized field. We follow by continuously reconnecting to both our target groups through forms and events, listening in on their experiences and thought of being a part of using the platform.
An aspect which has emerged through the initiative is the design model: Form follows production, material and knowledge. As creatives can visit factories and share the knowledge of listed manufacturers it enables for smarter designs, adjusted to the manufacturing capabilities and limitations. Many times also pushing both target groups out of their own comfort zones which has proven to be very successful.
Other fields which have been carefully considered in the development are:
Crafts: SPOK has had contact with numerous organizations, associations and clusters pertaining to Swedish crafts both locally and regionally.
Academia: We try to collaborate with as many of the outstanding schools which offer either craft and manufacturing educations as well as design, interior design and architecture.
Legislation: We discuss with governmental agents and politicians to influence design and local production as a driver for sustainable development on a national level.
An aspect which has emerged through the initiative is the design model: Form follows production, material and knowledge. As creatives can visit factories and share the knowledge of listed manufacturers it enables for smarter designs, adjusted to the manufacturing capabilities and limitations. Many times also pushing both target groups out of their own comfort zones which has proven to be very successful.
Other fields which have been carefully considered in the development are:
Crafts: SPOK has had contact with numerous organizations, associations and clusters pertaining to Swedish crafts both locally and regionally.
Academia: We try to collaborate with as many of the outstanding schools which offer either craft and manufacturing educations as well as design, interior design and architecture.
Legislation: We discuss with governmental agents and politicians to influence design and local production as a driver for sustainable development on a national level.
Methodology used
Design methodology, bottom-up & grassroot, co-creative. Needs driven and organic growth and development
How stakeholders are engaged
The project started in the regions of Skåne has been carried out with the support of Region Skåne, Malmö City, the County Administrative Board Skåne and the Agency for Growth. SPOK is run out of Form/Design Center as part of the organizations ongoing operations. The economic model is inspired by licensing models but tailored to be run by or in collaboration with regional governmental organs to ensure longevity. Each region signs a membership agreement with SPOK where a fixed entry fee and an annual fee are charged to run their hub. The size of the annual fee is weighted in levels based on the number of residents in the region, and each member appoints a project manager who administers their regional hub. The initative has been developed in collaboration with the first initial Hubs and their involvement has been crucial to create a durable model. The highest decision-making division in the organization includes one representative from each hub which makes the management and development of SPOK democratic.
Regions that are members of the SPOK network:
- SPOK Halland: is run by Region Halland in collaboration with Falkenberg municipality through the Rian design museum.
- SPOK Blekinge: run by Region Blekinge in collaboration with Techtank. The main financier is Region Blekinge.
- SPOK Västra Götaland: run by Dacapo Mariestad/Artifex and Svensk Form Väst in collaboration with the Administration for Cultural Development. The main financier is the Västra Götaland region.
- SPOK Gotland: operated by the Gotlands Museum. Svensk Form Gotland and the business organization Tillväxt Gotland sit on the steering group. The main financier is Region Gotland.
- SPOK Västerbotten: Run by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden as a project package within their project "Creatives for Longevity".
- SPOK Dalarna: Run by Region Dalarna, Bild och Form.
- SPOK Jämtland-Härjedalen: Run by Region Jämtland-Härjedalen in collaboration with the regional association for Swedish Form.
Regions that are members of the SPOK network:
- SPOK Halland: is run by Region Halland in collaboration with Falkenberg municipality through the Rian design museum.
- SPOK Blekinge: run by Region Blekinge in collaboration with Techtank. The main financier is Region Blekinge.
- SPOK Västra Götaland: run by Dacapo Mariestad/Artifex and Svensk Form Väst in collaboration with the Administration for Cultural Development. The main financier is the Västra Götaland region.
- SPOK Gotland: operated by the Gotlands Museum. Svensk Form Gotland and the business organization Tillväxt Gotland sit on the steering group. The main financier is Region Gotland.
- SPOK Västerbotten: Run by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden as a project package within their project "Creatives for Longevity".
- SPOK Dalarna: Run by Region Dalarna, Bild och Form.
- SPOK Jämtland-Härjedalen: Run by Region Jämtland-Härjedalen in collaboration with the regional association for Swedish Form.
Global challenges
>All elements of this project are replicable and transferable to any region and country that has creatives and local crafts/manufacturing. The model is built to be independent of person-specific knowledge and as we own the digital platform completely it can easily be sold, rented or licensed. We´ve also developed clear instructions on how to run the initiative locally through clear guidelines, instructions, handbook, graphic manual etc.
Learning transferred to other parties
All elements of this project are replicable and transferable to any region and country that has creatives and local crafts/manufacturing. The model is built to be independent of person-specific knowledge and as we own the digital platform completely it can easily be sold, rented or licensed. We´ve also developed clear instructions on how to run the initiative locally through clear guidelines, instructions, handbook, graphic manual etc.
Keywords
Local production
Knowledge sharing
Sustainability
Design
Collaboration
