Growth and viability throughout Sweden

While Sweden is in many ways a homogenous country, it has large regional differences. General conditions - such as infrastructure, the economic position of local government and education - play a crucial role in the ability of all the regions to develop. The most important role of the state is to create favourable basic conditions - the structures necessary for sustainable development and a good level of service in all parts of Sweden.

Policy objective

The overall objective of regional development policy is well-functioning and sustainable local labour market regions with good levels of service throughout the country.

"Well-functioning local labour market regions" means that every region is as attractive as possible for people and enterprises so that the most is made of the potential and dynamism existing in every region.

"Sustainable" means that the policy should contribute towards sound economic, social and ecological conditions for present and future generations.

"A good level of service throughout the country" means that measures taken should contribute to people and companies in all parts of Sweden having access to adequate commercial and public services. (Government Bill "En politik för tillväxt och livskraft i hela landet" 2001/02:4)(A policy for growth and viability throughout Sweden)

Policy scope

Regional development policy includes measures in practically all policy areas. The main areas are regional development policy, business development policy, labour market policy, educational policy, transport policy, research policy, rural policy and policy areas in agriculture, forestry and related activities, cultural policy, IT policy, postal services and electronic communications policy, foreign trade, export and investment promotion, urban development policy, consumer policy, regional social organisation, integration policy and general grants to local governments.

Policy focus

The most important role of the state is to create good basic conditions - the structures necessary for sustainable development and a good level of service in all parts of Sweden.
To achieve the policy area objectives, strategies for the most important sectors of society must be drawn up at local and regional levels. A broad, cohesive strategy for sustainable regional development can then form the basis for various sub-programmes in the different sectors, aimed at achieving common goals for the region. Regional growth programmes are one example of a sub-programme. EU Structural Funds are also a significant factor for the policy.

Coordination between sectors and regional considerations in the various policy areas are of central importance in a successful regional development policy. The following three areas are central to achieving the policy area objectives:

• The majority of policy and expenditure areas include regional considerations
• Interaction to promote sustainable regional growth
• Broad measures to stimulate growth