Regional Cooperation for Strategic Sustainable Development : A case study of Blekinge

Abstract: For sustainable development of Blekinge to be carved out in a strategic manner,steps taken need to be coordinated in the right direction(i.e. towards meeting basic principles of socio-ecological sustainability).One part of this project looks into the various steps that could be taken to reach sustainability at a principle level.The other part looks at the importance of mutual cooperation among various stakeholders within the region.We look at current steps been taken and the potential for cooperation in the region. Our study reveals that many opportunities exist, both for strategic steps towards sustainability and for ways Blekinge organizations could cooperate to achieve them.We found that opportunities exist in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency,transportation and regional cooperation.In particular,this study identified significant opportunities to expand networks of cooperation in Blekinge.For instance, expansion of advocacy groups, expansion of railway and cooperation for alternative fuels among organizations and municipalities are all opportunities.