SustainGov – an innovation programme for a reformed public sector

Impact Innovation is an initiative of the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas (Swedish research council for sustainable development) and Vinnova (Sweden's innovation agency). 

SustainGov's mission is to achieve a reformed public sector by 2035 that holistically promotes and facilitates the health and well-being of all citizens regardless of geography and socio-economic status, and ensures society's sustainability transition within planetary boundaries.

The program has four strategic focus areas:

1. System-wide collaboration for complex care needs
2. An inclusive society for all
3. Future-proof food supply for health and well-being
4. The social contract of the future – renewed relationship between residents and the public sector

Mid Sweden University (Mittuniversitetet) is the coordinator for SustainGov. Operations are carried out in close collaboration with 15 other parties: the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Bron Innovation, the County Administrative Board of Västerbotten, Compare, the Swedish Veterinary Agency, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the municipalities of Norrbotten, the Stockholm School of Economics, Region Jämtland Härjedalen, DIGG - the Agency for Digital Government, Skellefteå Science City, Region Västernorrland, Karlstad University Samhällsnytta AB, Tomelilla Municipality, Södertörn University and Sundsvall Municipality.

SLU's role in SustainGov

SustainGov aims to lead to sustainable system transformation through innovation in public administration regarding, among other things, new process and working methods, interdisciplinary approaches, new forms of collaboration and coordination between authorities and administrations at different levels, development of sustainability indicators and systems for measuring these, development of platforms for exchange of experience and learning.

SLU's expert competence in this context concerns systems understanding in the aspects related to natural resource management and food from soil/water to table, environmental data management and policy development for food systems, but it is not delimited only to these aspects.

Contact persons at SLU

If you have questions about SustainGov, i.e. regarding upcoming calls or help navigating the program, you are welcome to contact:

• Fredrik Fernqvist, Department of People and Society (LTV faculty): Fredrik.Fernqvist@slu.se
• Örjan Östman, Department of Aquatic Resources (NJ faculty): Orjan.Ostman@slu.se
• Camilla Widmark, Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology (S faculty): Camilla.Widmark@slu.se
• Stefan Gunnarsson, Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare (VH faculty): Stefan.Gunnarsson@slu.se

More about SustainGov

SustainGov website 

SustainGov calls