Brasilien februari 2026

Sweden and Brazil enter 2026 celebrating two centuries of diplomatic relations. A milestone that reflects not only a shared history but a long tradition of cooperation, openness, and ambition. The partnership between the two countries has evolved into a dynamic exchange in diplomacy, commerce, culture, science, education, and innovation, continually demonstrating its relevance and strength.

Logotyp Brasilien och Sverige 200 år tillsammans på portugisiska.

To honour this moment, the Embassy of Sweden in Brazil and Office of Science and Innovation Brasília (OSI Brasília) are preparing a year of initiatives like events, publications, and a dedicated exhibition. All activities highlight the scientific and innovative spirit that has shaped, and will continue to shape, this important partnership.

Bridging Knowledge for Science with Impact in the Amazon

The Nordic–Brazilian Dialogue Bridging Knowledge for Science with Impact in the Amazon, held in Manaus, marked an important step toward strengthening international cooperation ahead of COP30. Organized by OSI Brasília through the Embassy of Sweden, in partnership with the Embassies of Finland and Norway, and with the collaboration of the São Paulo State Funding Agency (FAPESP), and the Amazonas State Funding Agency (FAPEAM), and support from the Nordic Council of Ministers, the event brought together more than 60 participants, including funding agencies, researchers, government representatives, and civil society. The program combined high‑level discussions on science diplomacy and sustainability with thematic workshops, plenary sessions, and a technical visit to the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), fostering a rich exchange of perspectives on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and pathways for social and economic transformation in the Amazon. Keynotes by João Paulo Lima Barreto, indigenous activist, anthropologist and professor at the Federal University of Amazonas, and Hanna Guttorm, senior researcher at the University of Helsinki focusing on Indigenous Studies, added depth to the dialogue by highlighting indigenous knowledge systems and the indigenization of academia as essential components of sustainable futures.

Delegation from Nordic countries and brazilians at the National Institute of Amazonian Research  (INPA).j
Nordic and Brazilian delegation at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA) in Manaus.

Throughout the event, Brazilian and Nordic funding agencies, including FAPEAM, FAPESP, CNPq, FINEP, the Research Council of Finland, OSI Brasília, the Embassy of Finland, and the EU Delegation, engaged in strategic conversations. They discussed joint opportunities to advance research and innovation in the region. The Swedish delegation actively participated, representing institutions such as Linköping University, the University of Gothenburg, RISE, IVL, Lund University, SMHI, and the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Their presence reinforced the shared commitment to building long‑term scientific partnerships. By creating a collaborative space for dialogue, the initiative laid the groundwork for concrete next steps. These include a series of webinars in 2026. The event also strengthened the collective capacity to generate impactful science for the Amazon, paving the way toward COP30 and beyond.

Waste and Biogas – a cooperation on sustainability and energy

The Ceará–Sweden Dialogue on Circular Economy and Solid Waste, held in Fortaleza in October, marked an important milestone in advancing international cooperation for sustainable development. Organized by the Ceará Secretariat of Cities in partnership with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), the event brought together government authorities, researchers, companies, and civil society representatives to explore innovative approaches to waste management, biogas production, clean technologies, and circular city models. Over three days, participants engaged in more than 35 lectures, technical visits, and thematic panels addressing issues ranging from the climate emergency to the economic and financial sustainability of environmental systems. The Swedish delegation, including Naturvårdsverket, SMHI, Business Sweden, Linköping University, and Miljö & Avfallsbyrån, shared Swedish best practices in circularity, reinforcing the value of knowledge exchange between countries facing distinct but complementary challenges.

Swedish delegation at Fortalezas biogas plant.
Swedish delegation at Fortaleza´s biogas plant.

Sweden’s long-standing expertise in transforming waste into energy and designing circular solutions provided valuable insights for strategies that can be adapted to the Brazilian context. The presence of Ambassador Karin Wallensteen underscored Sweden’s commitment to environmental cooperation and highlighted the strategic importance of this bilateral dialogue. Representing OSI Brasília, Ana Carolina Bussacos contributed to discussions on innovation partnerships between Sweden and Brazil, emphasizing the role of collaborative initiatives in accelerating sustainable transitions. This partnership stands as a compelling example of how international dialogue can generate practical, transformative solutions and strengthen collective capacity to address global environmental challenges.

KTH Innovation in Brazil

The KTH Innovation IRL Training held in Curitiba represented a significant milestone in strengthening competencies and fostering strategic partnerships within the innovation ecosystem of Paraná. Over the course of an intensive week, more than 60 professionals from universities, research institutes, and public agencies engaged in discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities aimed at deepening cooperation between Brazilian and Swedish institutions. Led by experts from KTH Innovation, the Department of Learning at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, the program provided a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and align practices with internationally recognized innovation methodologies. All were invited by the State Funding Agency of Paraná, Fundação Araucária.

KTH training in Curitiba at Araucária Foundation.
KTH Innovation training at Fundação Araucária in Curitiba.

A central component of the training was the in‑depth exploration of the KTH Innovation Readiness Level™ (IRL), a multidimensional framework designed to guide teams from early‑stage ideas to market‑ready solutions. By addressing parallel dimensions such as customer validation, business modelling, intellectual property, market analysis, technological maturity, and organizational capacity, the IRL methodology offers a comprehensive structure that reduces uncertainty and supports informed decision‑making. The participation of more than 25 institutions from Paraná and Santa Catarina underscores the region’s commitment to adopting global best practices and advancing technological development with social impact. This collaborative effort marks an important step toward strengthening the Brazilian innovation landscape and expanding opportunities for long‑term international cooperation.

Find out more: OSI Brasília - Office of Science and Innovations Linkedin.

What to expect in 2026

In 2026, we will have many more opportunities across several fields, starting with a delegation visit focused on AI, bringing together professors from Linköping University, KTH, Innovair, and SAAB. We will also see the results of the Sweden–Brazil bilateral call on Sustainability (sustainable mining, bioeconomy, and sustainable cities).

In addition, November will bring the Sweden-Brazil Innovation Week, currently being organized by OSI Brasília and the Embassy of Sweden in Brasília with Team Sweden.

Internship Opportunity in Science Diplomacy with Sweden and Brazil

Are you a university student passionate about science diplomacy? If so, this is an incredible opportunity for you! This internship will immerse you in the realms of innovation, research, and higher education. What you’ll be doing:

  • Participating in bilateral meetings.
  • Communicating with our stakeholders.
  • Organizing events.
  • Reporting on key issues affecting the bilateral relationship.

Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a dynamic and impactful partnership: Lediga praktikplatser - Regeringen.se.

Contact the Swedish office for science and innovation in Brazil

If you want to know more about cooperation between Sweden and Brazil, don't hesitate to contact us or follow us on Linkedin.

Ana Carolina Bussacos in brief

Ana Carolina is a Biologist and Journalist with Doctoral degree in molecular pathology. During her professional life she worked in science and innovation institutions as the University of Brasilia and the Brazilian Institute of Information on Science and Technology (Ibict). Ana is working at OSI-Brasilia since 2018 firstly as advisor and now as Acting Head of Section.

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Senast uppdaterad: 20 februari 2026