From Rivalry to Cooperation in Östergötland

Östergötland is a county in Sweden known for its intense and innovative actions for growth. Private companies, municipalities and public authorities have worked together in several areas of importance to growth, especially since the Regional Council of Östsam became responsible for the regional development. This chapter highlights an underlying, important factor when it comes to public initiatives for growth: paving the way for good cooperation and relations between the partners involved. As many other counties, Östergötland has gone from serious conflicts to well-functioning cooperation. The way that such a change of perspective is made, and how experiences can be used in other counties and situations, is essential to regional growth politics