Creating a Single Market for Knowledge in the Baltic Sea Region

New Report Presented by BDF

A new and interesting policy concept related to innovation, talents, research and development is the notion of a Fifth Freedom: the free movement of knowledge and ideas. The Fifth Freedom tries to embrace new ways of expanding and deepening the Internal Market of the EU to facilitate circulation of immaterial goods and services that are crucial to innovation and ultimately the competitiveness of knowledge intensive economies.

The Fifth Freedom-concept needs to be further developed in order to mature and to become a guiding principle within the EU. But undoubtedly, it touches very important aspects of the economies of the Baltic Sea Region countries that are characterized by very high skill levels.

In order to explore the idea and relevance of the Fifth Freedom in the Baltic Sea Region, BDF has interviewed 20 business leaders from knowledge intensive companies in the region. Questions have been asked in relation to the possible creation of a Northern European Knowledge Market. The participants represent knowledge intensive production companies as well as service companies. The interviews offer an insight into important aspects of the Fifth Freedom and barriers to a free market for knowledge and ideas.

The results are presented in this report, which has mainly been sponsored by Kraks Fonden. It is our hope that the findings and recommendations for further action may inspire debate and shape a political agenda supporting the development of the Baltic Sea Region into a leading knowledge region in the world.