Robertsfors Municipality: pilot-municipality for sustainable development Overklinten. Photo: Patrick Degerman   The Sustainable Robertsfors project began in August 2001 and within five years will form the basis for sustainable development in the council of Robersfors. The project is financed by Robertsfors' Council, Länsstyrelsen (The County Administrative Board) and Landstinget (County Council) in Västerbotten as well as by EU structural funds. The results of the project should be applicable to other councils in Västebotten, Sweden and the rest of the world. Sustainable Development concerns everything and everybody! That is why the project will simultaneously work with many target groups. Our most important task in the project is to start and maintain processes leading to local development and sustainability. This entails, among other things, educational contributions, work for increased participation, analysis of the environment in Robertsfors and a sustainable trade and business development strategy. The Project is essentially a knowledge and competence exercise. You cannot apply for money from the project but if you have an idea that fits within the framework of The Sustainable Robertsfors project we can provide knowledge and competence support to implement it. If your idea delivers good results we will be happy to market it.       There are three people working within the project : Björn Eriksson as Co-ordinator for Environmental Goals and Sustainable Business, Torbjörn Lahti as Project Manager and Carina Aschan as Information Co-ordinator. Democracy The core of the project is its democratic process. That is why increased participation and influence are key issues. Throughout the project different models and ideas will be tested in order to develop these issues further. Two concrete examples are the steps we've already taken to enable young people to influence the project, as well as a planned educational trip to Kalix to study how they have been working with public influence in politics. The public's demands and ideas are crucial to the success of this project, which is why we would like to know what you as a resident or visitor to Robertsfors Kommun think about the project and what areas you feel we should be concentrating on. As already stated, the Project has a democratic process at its core. Coupled to this are two main tracks: Environmental Goals and Sustainable Trade and Industry Development. Environmental Goals The Swedish Government has accepted 15 national environmental goals. These goals describe the environmental status of Sweden in around 20 years. The whole of Sweden should be working towards these goals. The County Administrative Board of Västerbotten began working with regional environmental goals a year ago. The Sustainable Robertsfors project's role in this is to develop a test model for how councils can work with the national environmental goals at a local level. Apart from training in environmental issues this will also entail inventories and mappings of the environmental state in the council. Sustainable Trade and Industry Companies in Sweden are generally very aware of sustainability issues, with many putting an emphasis on quality, environmental protection and the working environment. This competence development is something that companies will have to use in a future market. Did you know that Sweden is the country with the highest number of innovators per capita! Unfortunately we are not as good at utilising many of these good ideas. The international community is facing its biggest challenge yet - creating a just world with prosperity for everyone without ruining the environment. The solutions that can contribute to this goal will be much sought after in the future. Trade and industry in co-operation with business, council organisations, the public and universities is a breeding-ground for a dynamic district that is not afraid of developing. Companies that are interested in the project and are willing to devote time and effort to it are being offered analysis and education aimed at a future certification. Whether the work is carried out individually or as a group is up to the companies to decide. No matter what is decided in the UN, EC or the Swedish Government it is at a local level that decisions become reality. Eventually it is at an individual level that real change actually takes place. Without a sustainable lifestyle practised by the population, sustainable development is impossible. The lifestyle concerns considerably more than just the process of earning an income. That is why we in the project want to emphasise the psycho-social aspects that deal with an individual's relationship to him or herself and others. We are working towards local development with those who show commitment and interest. Through the power of the good example we can help others!