Datadriven opportunites in sparsely populated areas

Important results from the project

Shrinking municipalities increasingly difficult to meet legal requirements. There is little research on methods that can strengthen the shrinking municipalities´ ability to meet them. In many cases, the mapping based on how you think it is or tradition rather than fact. We believe that open data can be a tool to visualize and streamline local government decision-making. Feasibility study´s goal was to prepare the way for one or more implementation. The issue is so complex that we see the need for a variety of tracks and has chosen to join a permanent.

Expected long term effects

Both earlier experiences and results of the feasibility study shows that it is precisely the open data that can be tool for the Swedish challenge in promoting equal public. Interest is unfortunately not so great either politically or from national authorities. It is not easy to find funding for research and another for the issue of sustainable rural areas which we want to tackle. Partly through increased transparency for efficient decision but also by an increased focus on regional issues in Swedish policy. One track is to establish a decision-making arena in Lycksele or Storuman.

Approach and implementation

The analysis has been made on the basis of the number now occurring functional cooperation between the municipalities after years of association aimed at collaboration. The analysis has also relied on the latest demokratitutredningen showing on the need to increase citizens´ interest in democracy at local and regional level to avoid polarization. During meetings with service people with strategic positions have ideas for possible areas of collaboration with open data tools presented.