40løsninger

40løsninger, literally “40 solutions,” is a Norwegian term used to label a collection or program that presents forty proposed solutions to a defined problem. The phrase is used across public, educational, and corporate contexts and does not refer to a single persistent organization.

Etymology and usage: The term combines the numeral forty with løsninger (solutions). It is employed by municipalities, universities, think tanks, and NGOs to brand reports, campaigns, curricula, or design challenges. Because it is a generic label rather than a registered program, there are many distinct 40løsninger initiatives rather than one official entity.

Format and content: A typical 40løsninger publication or project lists forty individual solutions, each accompanied by a short description, anticipated impact, required resources, feasibility, and risk considerations. Some versions include scoring, prioritization criteria, or implementation timelines.

Contexts and examples: In urban planning, a 40løsninger package might present forty strategies for affordable housing, sustainable transport, or public space management. In climate and resilience work, it may propose forty mitigation or adaptation measures. In education or industry, it can function as a problem-solving framework or a design-thinking exercise.

Reception and critique: The approach is valued for clarity and focus, but critics warn that a fixed list can oversimplify complex problems if not complemented by ongoing monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and iterative evaluation.

See also: problem solving, policy proposals, design thinking.