The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth appeared on Morgonkaffet

What can other municipalities learn from Skellefteå’s urban transformation? That was one of the questions raised when Anneli Granljung, coordinator for reindustrialization and urban transformation in Norrbotten and Västerbotten at the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, appeared as a guest on Morgonkaffet with SE26. The conversation centered on adaptability, collaboration, and the importance of daring to try new solutions in times of rapid change.

The morning coffee session was kicked off by Helena Renström, project manager for Society Expo, and Evelina Fahlesson, city councilor, who looked back on Skellefteå’s journey of development. From the early visions of growing to 80,000 residents and the work to enhance the area’s appeal, to the rapid societal transformation of recent years and the challenges that have followed in its wake.

Today’s guest, Anneli Granljung, works at the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, supporting municipalities and regions undergoing similar phases of transition and expansion. She described Skellefteå as a place that many other municipalities are now following with great interest.

– You are incredibly brave in Skellefteå. You have made many bold decisions. Some are going very well, some need to be redone, but I think that very fact-daring to try new things all the time, is enriching, she said.

During the conversation, Anneli Granljung emphasized the importance of drawing on experiences and lessons learned from both successes and setbacks. She particularly highlighted adaptability as a crucial strength for municipalities and organizations in an era where conditions can change rapidly.

At the same time, she underscored the importance of collaboration between municipalities, regions, the state, and other societal actors.

– You don’t make a transition on your own. You are so dependent on many others, where municipalities, regions, and the state need to collaborate and work much more closely together, she said.

Anneli Granljung also highlighted the value of sharing experiences among municipalities. By spreading knowledge about both mistakes and success factors, more people can benefit from the experiences accumulated in transition municipalities like Skellefteå.

The discussion served as a reminder that societal transformation is not about individual projects or investments, but about people, collaboration, and the ability to constantly adapt to new circumstances.