Civil society's solutions can contribute to climate change

In a new initiative, 17 initiatives led by civil society receive support to contribute to climate change. These include local participation in the planning of wind power, carpooling between members of various associations and an increased pace of change in the textile industry through recycling and changed textile consumption.

Sweden's objective is to have zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045. Success requires collective and comprehensive action, in which non-profit associations and other sections of civil society can play a crucial role.

17 project funding from Vinnova to further develop and test innovative solutions for climate change in close collaboration with business, the public sector and academia. The focus is on industry, mobility, community building and food.

- Historically, the capacity of civil society to mobilize and break new ground has been crucial for societal change at critical times. Many community services that we take for granted today, such as home care, childcare and pharmacies, spring from innovations in civil society. It is an ability for innovation that we need to take advantage of to meet the climate challenge. The purpose of the investment is to contribute to innovation that in the long run affects the entire system, something that requires collaboration, says Sara Hugosson, responsible for the announcement at Vinnova.

Examples of project that receive funding:

Local participation in the planning of wind power establishments

The purpose of the project is that wind power establishments will be better anchored in local communities and where knowledge and constructive dialogues will provide objective assessments and more secure positions.
Run by the organization Hela Sverige shall live X-Ing Gävleborg together with the national organization Hela Sverige shall live, The university college in Gävle and the County Administrative Board in Gävleborg County.

Carpooling in civil society

The project will integrate a carpooling platform for associations' own digital products, such as websites or apps, so that members of different associations can carpool with each other and thereby reduce emissions from transportation. An important part of the project is the use of open data.
Run by Skjutsgruppen.nu together with Friluftsfrämjandet, Svenska Naturskyddsföreningen, Gothenburg municipality and Umeå municipality.

Textile recycling center

It is about increasing the pace of change in the textile industry through innovations in recycling, changed textile consumption and collaboration between different sectors.
Run by the Dals Långeds Development Council together with, among others, Bengtsfors municipality, the University of Gothenburg, the Västra Götaland region and several companies.

Use of surplus heat from industries to produce locally grown food

Will do a pilot training and write a handbook for others who want to take advantage of surplus heat from industries to produce locally grown food and thus reduce the need for transportation and increase the degree of self-sufficiency in northern Sweden.
Run by Sunderby Folk High School together with Bodens municipality and RISE.

Tomorrow's eco-label for buildings

Will develop criteria for a new eco-label for the construction industry, which can lead to mapping and reduction of energy- and climate-intensive currents to achieve the goals in Agenda 2030.
Run by Svenska Naturskyddsföreningen together with, among others, IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet, Forum För Energieffektivt Byggande, the Tenants' Association and companies in the construction industry.