EU supply chains : university-business cooperation innovative solutions to systemic challenges

This reflection paper analyses how University-Business Cooperation (UBC) can be useful in overcoming the challenges to the EU supply chains. The paper explores a mismatch between how the commercial sector is evolving ever more rapidly (e.g., the speed of developments in artificial intelligence AI). At the same time, universities often take a longer perspective on research but are also responsible for preparing the future talents needed by the economy and society. This requires UBC practices where universities can contribute to achieving sustainable supply chains (e.g., new materials for green power generation, innovations in food and agriculture, living labs, and support for spin-off companies). The paper aims to discuss the topic of the EU's supply chains with relevant EU-level stakeholder organisations, specifically focusing on how UBC can accelerate EU resilience, independence, and sovereignty to ensure that supply chains, in the widest sense, can resist economic and political shocks. The paper is structured as follows: - Chapter 2 provides an in-depth look at the themes emerging from the literature review, focusing on the risks and threats in the EU supply chain structure and specific sectors. - Chapter 3 looks at some of the responses emerging from the literature to restore the resilience and adaptability of the EU's supply chains and some of the EU policy actions taken to date. - Chapter 4 examines strategic sectors that require innovation to adapt and become more resilient in the future with examples of innovative UBC projects that provide opportunities for EU supply chains.