Local Governance of Future Regional Development in Remote Areas: Key Insights from a Co-creation Study in Sweden

This paper demonstrates a multi-disciplinary co-creation approach to explore local governance of future regional development in remote areas. This study aims to increase the understanding of factors that can accelerate or hamper regional development. In particular, the inquiry focuses on local decision-makers’ perceptions about a future society, regional cooperation, and reasons for the influx of people, businesses and industries. The results reveal discrepancies and similarities between local perceptions and regional necessities. The study thus contributes valuable insights about crucial issues for future development of remote areas, such as strengthening local identities so that local communities fit together in a region appearing as a complete entity to potentially interested parties.