Broadened Mobilisation in Thriving Northern Cities

Northern Sweden is facing a transition with urban growth in focus. Municipalities must address the climate challenge and build sustainable communities. Industrial transformation, demographics, and geopolitics are challenging for the entire country, but in some respects the northern region is ahead.

Five cities (Umeå, Luleå, Örnsköldsvik, Östersund and Sundsvall) have adopted a common strategy, and an initiation project has begun its implementation. During the work, specific challenges have been identified for system innovation and sustainable urban development:

1. Mobilise a wider and more diverse range of actors
2. Implementation within multi-level structures
3. Long-term and lasting governance and working methods

In addition, two horizontal key areas have been identified:

4. Methods grounded in research and transformation theory
5. Communication and impact realisation

Over three years, the project will work with these challenges and key areas. The project also serves as a bridge to a future organisation where the work becomes embedded in lasting structures.

The project has been granted support from the European Regional Development Fund.