VÄSTRA GÖTALAND 2020 Strategy for growth and development in Västra Götaland

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1 VÄSTRA GÖTALAND 2020 Strategy for growth and development in Västra Götaland

2 Joint roadmap for the future development of Västra Götaland Västra Götaland strategy for growth and development in Västra Götaland , is the joint roadmap for the development of Västra Götaland. The strategy has been adopted by the regional council. It s based on the responsibility that the Swedish government and parliament have given to Region Västra Götaland to coordinate and promote regional development in Västra Götaland. The strategy has strong links to the EU strategy for growth, Europe The aim is for all inhabitants in Västra Götaland to have the best possible conditions to develop. The strategy consists of 32 priority issues* spread across nine areas and four themes. 2 CREATIVITY. Lunch beat - a break in the working day at Da Matteo in Gothenburg. Photo: Peter Magnusson. *In no particular order

3 Opportunities and challenges Global trends and rapid changes are part of our lives. We are also affected by large changes in demography. In order to meet opportunities and challenges, we need to understand the fundamental drivers of regional growth and development. We also need to understand the specific characteristics and conditions of Västra Götaland and how these are affected by changes in the world at large. Opportunities and challenges are best handled by joint efforts. How well we succeed depends on how we make use of our potential, our ability to adapt, our capacity to see opportunities in new situations and how well we cooperate - in old and new constellations. We must work for increased employment, less social exclusion and segregation, continuous and more sustainable growth as well as increased participation and creativity. We also have to limit our impact on the climate, give more people access to better communications and work for equality between women and men in education and working life. All parts of Västra Götaland must have good conditions for development. We have already come a long way. The efforts within regional development in Västra Götaland are extensive. In several areas there are agreements and plans with clear objectives, developed in broad partnerships in Västra Götaland. In some cases, regional development initiatives are part of the overall national task. In other cases, such as cooperation on climate issues, the work is based on local and regional initiatives and includes actors from all parts of society. Many committed and involved The strategy is the result of great commitment from many parts of society. Successful implementation of the strategy requires close collaboration between actors in Västra Götaland, but also collaboration with other regions, countries and the EU. Implementation is achieved through concrete activities in areas such as infrastructure, research, climate and culture. Region Västra Götaland, together with the 49 municipalities in Västra Götaland, are formally responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of Västra Götaland EXCHANGE. Västra Götaland 2020 concerns all parts of Västra Götaland; 49 municipalities with a total of 1.6 million inhabitants, located in the strategic axis between Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. 3

4 A leading knowledge region An attractive and competitive society is created by inhabitants who want to and have the possibility to develop. Västra Götaland shall be characterised by good opportunities for education, research and innovation, entrepreneurship and internationally competitive industry. A good climate for creativity, entrepreneurship and enterprise More people should have the possibility to start and run businesses and companies should be able to grow. People in Västra Götaland should have access to a broad labour market, where more people are employed in growing businesses. The goal is to create a positive climate for creativity, entrepreneurship and enterprise. 1 stimulating entrepreneurship 2 creating the conditions needed to realise ideas and start up enterprises 3 promoting competitiveness Increased international competitiveness through focusing on areas of strength Focusing on areas of strength, by investing in research, education and innovation will contribute to solving societal challenges. Regional development work shall also stimulate new areas of strength and new enterprises to develop in order to get a diversified industry. Five areas of strength have been identified in Västa Götaland: life sciences, sustainable transport, sustainable urban development, green chemistry and the marine environment and marine sectors. Other important areas are: textiles/ fashion/design, sustainable production, cultural and creative industries, renewable energy, food/green industries, information and communication technologies and tourism. The aim is to be a world leader in innovation within these areas. 4 attracting more students and researchers and increasing exchange with the outside world 5 strengthening the international competitiveness of our research and innovation milieus 6 developing arenas for testing and demonstration where new ideas are put into practice 7 stimulating national and international cooperation in research and innovation 8 strengthening Science Parks and other collaboration milieus for research and innovation The strategy meets the challenges and objectives of the EU s growth strategy Europe 2020 The strategy is based on cooperation; regionally, nationally and internationally The core values behind the strategy are sustainable development in three dimensions economic, social and ecological 4

5 STRENGTH. Dancers at Adriana s Danshus during a student performance at Möllan in Mölndal. Photo: Håkan Rönnblad 5

6 A region for everyone All inhabitants of Västra Götaland shall have good opportunities to develop through education, training, work and good communications. Exclusion must be combatted and social and economic differences reduced. Diversity among the inhabitants is a resource that needs to be better utilized. 6 Community. Show by Studio Danza at Åhaga in Borås. Photo: Miriam Gloss.

7 Combat exclusion and strengthen links between education and working life Strong links between education and working life is an important issue to handle, to reduce exclusion and discrimination and to strengthen integration. This is also important for business and organizational development and for long-term development in all parts of Västra Götaland. The goal is to reduce differences between inhabitants of different residential areas and city districts, and for pupils and students to have close links to the labour market. 9 creating good opportunities for young people to get traineeships, holiday jobs and mentors 10 strengthening the interaction between post-secondary education and working life 11 encouraging working life that is actively involved with children and young people 12 combatting social exclusion and segregation, in particular in large urban areas Lifelong learning for increased participation and competitiveness How skills are developed, made visible and used in the labour market is crucial to give people, businesses and organisations the opportunity to grow. The aim is that all inhabitants have the chance of realising their potential and gaining skills in education and working life. 13 encouraging young people to continue studying after secondary school and reduce drop-outs from schools 14 shortening and simplifying the path to the labour market through guidance and validation* 15 improving the opportunities of developing skills and lifelong learning in companies and organisations 16 developing collaboration within the educational system to meet future skills requirements Access to communications Access to good infrastructure and transport is a prerequisite for work, education and culture. The aim is that the inhabitants of all parts of Västra Götaland will become increasingly satisfied with their travel options. 17 investing in transport infrastructure that drives regional and national development 18 expanding public transport so that it becomes a model of quality and sustainability 19 contributing to an IT infrastructure that provides high quality for everyone 20 developing a regional future vision for Västra Götaland s physical infrastructure such as construction, traffic management and public transport *Get knowledge confirmed and documented 7

8 A region taking global responsibility To take global responsibility and increase the pace of transition to a sustainable society affects development in other parts of the world. It also contributes to strengthening competitiveness and the conditions for long-term sustainable development. A resource-efficient society with reduced impact on climate A society which is resource efficient and not dependent on fossil fuels requires investments in infrastructure and technology development. The aim is that Västra Götaland in year 2020 will be a pioneer in developing, implementing and disseminating sustainable solutions. 21 making the public sector in Västra Götaland a leading developer of sustainable solutions 22 implementing more broad agreements and initiatives for sustainable development 23 making Västra Götaland into a test arena for sustainable rural development and best practice for the interplay between urban and rural areas 24 developing environmental solutions with the ambition of positively influencing environmental work globally Responsible and sustainable consumption Values and standards must support sustainable habits and more sustainable consumption. The aim is that the inhabitants will take greater account of how consumption patterns effect people and the environment, locally and globally. Purchasing and public procurement are important tools for pursuing issues of responsibility. 25 pursuing the question of resource-efficient consumption and communicating sustainable values 26 collaborating on purchases that drive sustainable development, innovation and local development 8

9 PRESENCE. Dance at Vallby Sörgården in Skaraborg. From Skövde Nyheter. Photo: Philip Hovlin 9

10 10 INNOVATIVE. The professional dance company Spinn in Gothenburg rehearsing for a performance. Photo: Anders Fors.

11 A society characterised by a rich cultural life, meetings, events and innovation is attractive for citizens, visitors and investment. Västra Götaland aims to be recognized for its ability to influence and to shape the development of the future. A leading cultural region with a focus on participation Culture is an important part of everyday life. Västra Götaland should be a role model when it comes to using culture as an engine for innovation and societal development. The aim is a cultural life that encourages active and committed people in all parts of Västra Götaland. A region that is visible and committed 27 promoting an active and innovative cultural region for everyone in Västra Götaland 28 promoting youth culture and developing Västra Götaland as a place where young people meet Increased exchange with the rest of the world We are increasingly affected by events, trends and decisions in other parts of the world. At the same time, the knowledge and perception of Västra Götaland is important for its appeal. The aim is that Västra Götaland will be more appreciated by and attractive to the outside world. 29 increasing our presence and influence, both nationally and internationally 30 investing in the international meetings industry, arranging events and strengthening the tourist industry 31 removing barriers and increasing cooperation with Norway and establishing the region Oslo/Gothenburg/Öresund 32 attracting investment and new companies to Västra Götaland Västra Götaland 2020 will contribute to Increased employment Excellent conditions for entrepreneurship and enterprise Increased participation in community and cultural life More pupils complete post-secondary studies A climate-smart, resource-efficient and responsible society A unified Västra Götaland Effective development of skills Continued high level of investment in research and development for sustainable societal development Reduced social exclusion and reduced segregation An equal society An attractive Västra Götaland that appeal to people and businesses Good infrastructure and public transport 11

12 FORCE. Scene from West Side Story at the Gothenburg Opera House. Photo: Mats Bäcker April 2014 Västra Götaland 2020 is the joint roadmap for the development of Västra Götaland. More information and contact details can be found at vgregion.se/vg2020