åtagande

Åtagande is a Swedish noun meaning commitment, undertaking, or pledge. It refers to a decision to undertake a course of action and to allocate time, resources, or authority to fulfill it. Åtaganden can be formal or informal and may be binding to the extent that they are enshrined in contracts, agreements, or policies, or simply moral or voluntary.

Etymology: The term is built from the element tagande, the act of taking on, with the infinitive-style marker å attached in Swedish; the overall sense is the act of taking on responsibility or obligation.

Usage and scope: In public, corporate, and personal contexts, an åtagande describes an obligation or pledge to achieve defined outcomes. It often implies accountability and timelines, though the legal force depends on the specific instrument (law, contract, regulation). In international and national governance, governments or organizations may announce åtaganden to reduce emissions, deliver aid, or pursue reform.

Examples: A company makes an åtagande to cut carbon emissions by 2030; a ministry commits to implement a reform package; a nonprofit undertakes to deliver education programs.

Relation to related terms: It is closely related to forpliktelse (obligation) and engagemang (engagement or involvement); the nuance is that åtagande emphasizes the act of taking on responsibility, not just personal interest.

See also: Forpliktelse, Engagemang, Avtale.