The Bridge Conference 2026: From collaboration to real impact
In a time marked by global uncertainty and complex challenges, one message stood out clearly at The Bridge Conference 2026 in Växjö: meaningful change requires collaboration.
On 9 March, researchers, students and representatives from Södra and IKEA gathered for the third edition of the conference a day dedicated not just to sharing knowledge, but to advancing it together. This year’s focus on joint projects made one thing evident. The Bridge is moving from ideas to tangible results.
The programme highlighted how collaborative dialogue is transformed into funded research and innovation projects. Several initiatives presented during the day had their origins in last year’s conference, a reminder that when perspectives meet, progress follows.
At the same time, the conference pointed forward. In the opening remarks, the steering group emphasized that in an increasingly uncertain world, partnerships like The Bridge are necessary.
To meet the challenges ahead, the partnership must continue to grow stronger, broader and more connected. Expanding collaboration, building new alliances and bringing in more perspectives are essential steps in making The Bridge more robust, like adding new foundations to ensure it can carry us into the future.
Throughout the day, this idea was reinforced across sessions. No single actor holds the answers. But together, across disciplines and sectors, we can create the shifts, innovations and transformations that are needed.
From project presentations and student insights to reflections on excellence and innovation, The Bridge Conference 2026 demonstrated what the partnership is all about -
turning shared knowledge into real-world impact – together.