föreningarnas

Föreningarnas is the genitive plural form of the noun föreningar, meaning associations or organizations. It is used to indicate possession by multiple associations, for example in a phrase like föreningarnas arbete, meaning the associations’ work, or föreningarnas medlemsregister, meaning the associations’ member register.

The word förening comes from Swedish for a union or association, formed from the verb förena (to unite). A förening is a formal body that brings individuals together for shared purposes, such as sports, culture, or social welfare. The plural definite form is föreningarna (“the associations”), and the genitive or possessive is formed by adding -s to that definite form, giving föreningarnas. The construction does not require an apostrophe, which is typical in Swedish possessive spelling.

The term is common in legal, administrative, and organizational language when referring to property, roles, or rights belonging to multiple associations. For example, one might speak of föreningarnas stadgar (the associations’ statutes) or discuss the policy impact on föreningarnas medlemsföreningar (the associations’ member bodies).

In broader use, Sweden’s civil society includes many voluntary associations across sectors, often organized through regional or national federations. The plural possessive form helps distinguish collective ownership or responsibility among several organizations, as opposed to the possessive of a single association (föreningens). See also förening, föreningsfrihet, and the role of civil society in Sweden.