Lake Vänern Cooperation

We create opportunities for Sweden’s largest lake!

Lake Vänern Local Authorities Cooperation (Vänersamarbetet, in Swedish) is an economic association that comprises all 13 municipalities around Lake Vänern as its members and receives funding from Region Värmland and Region Västra Götaland. Vänersamarbetet is working to achieve sustainable maritime development of Vänern in the fields of water regulation, shipping, fishing and tourism & outdoor recreation.

Background
The assocation was founded in 2015 to strengthen the collaboration among the municipalities around Lake Vänern. A total of 300,000 people live in the municipalities surrounding Vänern, which is the third largest lake in Europe and the EU’s largest lake. The collaboration between the lakeside municipalities has a long history, and several projects preceded the formation of this association. The challenge is to build a durable organisation that can own a comprehensive picture of Vänern, coordinate activities and build the joint Vänern brand more effectively.

Purpose and goals
The aim of Lake Vänern Cooperation is to contribute to sustainable development in the municipalities around Vänern by being a coordinator of issues concering EUs largest lake. The work has a clear focus on strengthening the maritime profile and utilising the water and the proximity to it as a resource. The work also includes informative and inspiring communication with prioritised target groups.

The association’s goal is to coordinate the efforts of its members and partners in order to contribute to a sustainable development, attractive environments and other issues that are very significant to the creation of a good living environment and trade and industry for local residents, businesses and visitors.

Vision 2025-2030
The work strives to achieve the vision of lake Vänern as a “whole and wholesome” lake. This means placing lake Vänern in the centre of attention and using it as a catalyst for sustainable development.

As many other lakes, Vänern is divided into several administrative units, with 13 municipalities, two regional authorities and many other public organisations where only a part of lake Vänern is included in their remit. This situation creates challenges for the development and management of lake Vänern. A “whole” lake therefore includes stimulating collaboration across administrative and sectorial borders.

The development by lake Vänern also need to be based on sustainability – working towards “a wholesome” lake. There is a strong need to enhance economic, ecologic and social sustainability and find a better balance between developing/using and manage/preserve lake Vänern and its resources.

Activities
The operations of Lake Vänern Cooperation are focusing on water regulation, shipping, fishing and tourism & outdoor recreation. The work in these areas is both strategic and operational. In collaboration with other stakeholders, a new water regulation regime has been implemented, with the purpose of being both safe and beneficial to the eco system. In a similar process, an action plan has been formed for the development and increase of the shipping industry. There are financial and other tools in place for the development of a more sustainable fishing industry and fishing tourism. Tourism & outdoor recreation is being development within the concept of Lake Vänern Grand Tour, including a national cycle route, kayaking trails, information and maps for anglers, inspirational information for boaters and much more.

Coordination and communication
The main roles for Lake Vänern Cooperation is to coordinate and communicate the work relating to sustainable development around lake Vänern. This includes working with the municipalities as well as a great number of other stakeholders, public organisations, private businesses and voluntary assocations – who make up the vital network arond the lake.

Communicating about the various issues concering lake Vänern, develop the lake Vänern brand and creating tools for this, is another important task for Lake Vänern Cooperation.

Contact
Laila Gibson, Manager of Lake Vänern Local Authorities Cooperation
Tel: +46 (0)76-78 72 798
Email: laila.gibson(at)vanern.org

Simon Jonsson, Process Manager, Lake Vänern Grand Tour
Tel: +46 (0)70-360 00 98
Email: simon.jonsson(at)vanern.org