tillväxtarbete

Tillväxtarbete is a Swedish term used to describe organized efforts to promote growth within organizations, municipalities, regions, or sectors. It is not a strictly defined legal category; rather, it is a descriptive label for processes that aim to strengthen economic development and competitiveness.

Aims: to foster sustainable economic growth, create jobs, attract investment, support entrepreneurship and innovation, improve skills, and enhance resilience to economic changes.

Scope: often includes business development, entrepreneurship support, education and skills development, research and innovation, infrastructure and housing planning, digitalization, and regional branding. It is commonly connected to regional development plans and policy ambitions.

Process: typically begins with analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and mapping of growth opportunities; followed by strategy formulation, project design, and resource mobilization; implementation through pilot projects, public-private partnerships, funding applications, and capacity building; and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

Indicators: employment, unemployment, firm creation and survival, productivity, investment, migration, tax base, or regional GDP.

Actors: municipalities, regional authorities, business associations, universities and colleges, chambers of commerce, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

Relation to policy: aligns with regional development and economic policy; can be part of formal programs, grant schemes, or strategic plans; aims for alignment with sustainability and social inclusion.

Critique: potential overemphasis on growth that may neglect social or environmental dimensions; challenges include long time horizons, measurement, and coordination among diverse actors.