Local Development Sweden (LUS) shows how collaboration at the local level contributes to a more robust and resilient society. Through the leader method, actors from different sectors are connected – and create long-term effects for Sweden's preparedness.
What are you doing today to strengthen Sweden's preparedness – big or small?
Rural areas are a major carrier of civil preparedness in Sweden. Leader and the leader methodology contribute to connecting rural stakeholders through the partnership between the public, private, and civil society – LAG (local action groups). In this collaboration, preparedness is strengthened on several levels, as all actors in society come together under one umbrella to contribute to the development, robustness, and resilience of rural areas. Local Development Sweden works to strengthen the leader method, and thus local collaboration.
What do more people need to know about your work with preparedness?
The leader method is much more than a funding opportunity. By prioritizing projects based on tripartite collaboration and local anchoring, the method is adapted to local conditions. This leads to results and effects of Leader projects lasting a long time, as evaluations have shown.
Contact your nearest leader area if you want to know which leader projects are ongoing on the theme of preparedness.
Here you can find your leader area: Local development in your areaLink to another website..
What challenges do you see in your work with preparedness?
Collaborating requires that we as organizations are constantly updated on what is happening where, so we can support our members in where there are good examples – and where there are gaps. Leader strategies were developed at the beginning of the pandemic and the national lack of civil preparedness had not yet been fully recognized. Since our LAG have the task of achieving goal fulfillment for their local strategies, we need to think creatively and strategically about terminology to highlight that strong local nodes also mean civil preparedness.
Is there any collaboration that would benefit what you want to do?
Increased knowledge of LAG boards' competencies among national authorities and organizations would benefit Leader and increase trust in LAG as an important actor in civil preparedness.
Contact
Organization: Local Development Sweden, LUS
Contact person: Christer Yrjas, operations manager
Email address: verksamhetsledare@lokalutvecklingsverige.se
About the campaign
Behind the campaign Ready to be counted – together we build Sweden's preparedness stands the Rural Network. The campaign aims to show how rural actors – from food and fuel to safety and collaboration – already play a key role in Sweden's preparedness. In each article, we highlight a member organization's efforts, perspectives, and opportunities to contribute.
Photo: Local Development Sweden. Photo montage Rural Network