A delegation of 16 participants representing Mayors of Kosovo municipalities, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, the Ministry of Local Government, the Association of Kosova Municipalities and the MuSPP/UN-HABITAT visited Sweden from 25 to 28 of May 2010.

The main purpose of the study tour was to get familiar with the Swedish local government system, its function, roles and responsibilities. Particular emphasize was put on general strategic spatial development issues as well as comprehensive and integrated planning at detailed level. The visit also aimed at getting an insight into environmental planning and management issues and their relation to sustainable development.   

The tour provided an opportunity to learn about the activities and functions of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL/SALAR), which is an equivalent to the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM). Participants in this session had a chance of getting familiar with the Swedish local government system and activities including organizational, financial and budgeting aspects. A political perspective on local democracy and citizen dialogue and participation was presented.

The programme of the study visit included also visits to the cities of Stockholm, Gavle, Falun and Borlange.

In Stockholm, the delegation was received by Mr Torsten Malmberg, Head of the City Planning Department, and by Mr Klas Groth and Mr Daniel Andersson of the City Planning Department. General aspects on development planning, comprehensive city development planning as well as the formal planning system as various levels were presented. Current urban renewal issues were touched upon.

In the Municipality of Gavle, north of Stockholm, the delegation was received by the Mayor of Gavle, Ms Carina Blank and representatives from the City Management, the Departments of Finances, Planning and Environment as well as International relations. The presentations included the municipal organization, roles and responsibilities, financing and budgeting as well as local democracy matters and citizen participation. The City Development and Growth Programme was presented and current political issues were touched upon. Strategic environmental activities were presented too. The visit included a round trip in the city for getting a closer look at some interesting development areas.

The delegation also visited the Municipality of Falun, and were received by the Mayor of Falun Mr Mikael Rosen and Mr Mats Reutherborg representating the City Management Office and by the city centre development organization, Centrala Stadsrum. Presentations were made on the City Development and Growth Programme and current development issues as well as regional development cooperation activities. A following presentation on the structure and activities of the public-private partnership organized for the development of the City centre awoke an interactive  discussion amongst participants and the representatives of Falun.

In the afternoon, on the way to Borlange a short visit was made to the Regional Waste Management Centre at Fagelmyra, where the delegation was received by Mr Christian Olhans, the Centre Manager. This was an opportunity for participants of getting information and to see in the field developments within waste management.

In Borlange the delegation was received by the Mayor of Borlange, Mr Nils Persson and Mr Steve Johnson, Head of the Sustainable Community Planning Department. General presentations of the municipal organization and activities as well as specifically the approach applied in Borlange to sustainable community development and related matters were made.

In the last day of the visit, the delegation visited Sida Headquarters in Stockholm. This was an opportunity of getting an overview of Sida’s goals and activities in general and in the Balkan region, specifically in relation to the development cooperation with Kosovo. It was followed by an open discussion and provision of reflections and feed back from the delegation’s very positive experiences from the study tour.