How one of Sweden’s most vibrant growth regions makes its alliance work Vindeln An alliance for growth and a high quality of life The Umeå Region is not only a geographical region, it is also an alliance that consists of the municipalities of Umeå, Bjurholm, Nordmaling, Robertsfors, Vindeln and Vännäs. The region, which has 142,000 inhabitants and 16,000 business enterprises, is one of Sweden’s most vibrant growth regions. These municipalities have a natural co- capacity by enabling the munici- “The municipalities hesion and take joint action to promote palities, by acting jointly, to offer not only a high quality of life and com- services and facilities at lower cost. can provide service munity services but also a flourishing The Umeå Region is one of industrial sector and economic growth. Sweden’s most vibrant growth re- at lower cost.” This co-operation has helped to gions. It is home to two universities, a improve the efficiency of municipal dynamic business sector, and rich and activities and to enable more effective varied cultural activities. The alliance Bjurholm use to be made of common resources and the exchange of ideas among its in administration, tourism, education member municipalities give the inha- and business services. bitants and local enterprises excellent The alliance also strengthens opportunities to develop. A stable network in alliance Robertsfors The stable network, the shared vision and the close and well- established alliance make Umeå Region unique. Since the munici- palities help each other, Umeå Region is also experiencing strong Vindeln growth, for example via the formation of new enterprises. The alliance is characterised by mutual area in which these six municipalities are “One goal is confidence and an open dialogue that has taking joint measures is the introduction of eliminated boundaries and pooled resour- refugees. This is being improved by the to improve the ces. The regular exchange of experiences development of new types of regional efficiency of and expertise between local politicians and co-operation that make the process more municipal officers generates added value for effective and make resources go further. local government all concerned. administration.” The Umeå Region is a functional region DEVELOPING TOURISM since many of its inhabitants find it quite There are two more main goals: to deve- natural to travel between municipalities to lop the Umeå Region and to ensure that study, work or live. Every day 5,000 people the network enjoys democratic backing. commute within the region because it is The joint action being taken by the Umeå such a pleasant place to live. Region includes developing tourism, provi- ding readier access to library services, and INTRODUCTION OF REFUGEES overcoming possible shortages of labour One of the goals of the Umeå Region is to and skills in the six municipalities. take joint action to improve the efficiency That´s how one of Sweden’s most vibrant of local government administration. One growth regions makes its alliance work. Bjurholm Vännäs Umeå Nordmaling Example of successful co-operation in the Umeå Region: , 2008. L INA G : ORI UN award to libraries G RINTIN P The Umeå Region’s joint initiatives are spreading ripples across the world. AKAT. PL One example is the Bibliotek 2007 project that received the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award in 2008 for “best innovation in the public sector”. The Umeå Region’s libraries received this Visitors can have titles and information about award for the strategic and long-term develop- books read out to them via a headset by indi- ment project known as Bibliotek 2007. The cating a book with a pointing device. object of the project was to make it easier for everyone to use the libraries’ services under VirtuaL FORUM the same conditions. Minabibliotek.se is a virtual forum where visi- This produced several practical benefits for tors can access their own pages to borrow or municipal residents. For example there is now reserve books, or to extend their loans. Visitors a common library card, a common website at can also rank and score the library’s books, minabibliotek.se, and the AudioIndex audio- films and other media using keywords, discuss library service. them with other borrowers in an open forum, and contact library personnel. UNIQUE AIDS FOR visuaLLY IMPAIRED The Umea Region was nominated by the STIMULate GROWTH The Umeå Region UN as the winner for its library project in the Bibliotek 2007 is a first-class example of how “improving the delivery of services” category the alliance is stimulating growth. Culture and thanks very much to two technical innova- education are important means of compe- tions: AudioIndex and minabibliotek.se. tition that enable people and enterprises to AudioIndex, or the audio-library, is a remain in, move into and expand in the Umeå unique facility that makes use of advanced Region. Thanks to an efficiently functioning speech synthesis to enable people with visual library service that makes use of the latest impairments and those with impaired reading technology there are more opportunities for ability to browse among audio-books and the people to receive education and training in libraries’ other services. their own home towns. For more information, please contact: Head of Secretariat Lisa A. Lindberg Umeå Region Secretariat, +46 (0)90 16 13 32, +46 (0)70 644 95 92, [email protected] Office address: Umeå Region Secretariat, Municipal Administative Office, Town Hall Skolgatan 31 A, 901 84 Umeå, Sweden www.umearegionen.se.