'Project or process? fifteen years' experience with Local Agenda 21 in Sweden

Abstract

This article will discuss the potential of Local Agenda 21 as a lasting process, drawing from the Swedish experience. LA 21 in Sweden had both an early start and a high proportion of LA 21 activity. To date, Sweden has implemented LA 21 for almost fifteen years, have been tested. Over time, central government has increased its financial support to LA 21, but despite a general success in increased local initiatives towards sustainable development, there are also signs of a certain fatigue and less activity in recent years. The question thus arises: How sustainable might Local Agenda 21 become? Is it a lasting process, or is it rather a short-lived project? What might countries that have come less far learn from the Swedish experience?