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Nominee Information

Institutional Information
Member State Sweden
Institution Name The municipality of Åre
Institution Type Public Agency
Administrative Level Local
Name of initiative Heartfelt Integration Work
Projects Operational Years 6
Website of Institution www.are.se

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas
2017.1.5 Creates mechanisms to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable (and those who represent or assist them) can easily obtain information about public services -notably services related to the SDGs- , related decisions and approaches, as well as about their own rights and entitlements.
2017.1.6 Creates mechanisms that can help the poorest and most vulnerable (and those representing or assisting them) to hold the government accountable on the delivery of public services. This may include mechanisms allowing them to provide feedback on the relevance, quality and cost of public services; report any wrongdoing; initiate investigations; file complaints or request compensation where relevant.
2017.1.7 Introduces mechanisms that ensure that public officials are informed about the special needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, trained and equipped to meet them and held accountable when these needs are ignored or when the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable people are not protected.

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 3: Good Health
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
1.a Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
1.b Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births
3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.3 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
5.6 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
8.b By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.9 By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
16.b Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 02 Jan 2012

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? Yes
If yes, please specify name, organisation and year. The Swedish National Göta Prize 2017 (in Swedish: Götapriset 2017)

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions asked us if they could sign us up for this competition and we answered yes. They knew about our ingtegration work and results since before.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas
2017.1.5 Creates mechanisms to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable (and those who represent or assist them) can easily obtain information about public services -notably services related to the SDGs- , related decisions and approaches, as well as about their own rights and entitlements.
2017.1.6 Creates mechanisms that can help the poorest and most vulnerable (and those representing or assisting them) to hold the government accountable on the delivery of public services. This may include mechanisms allowing them to provide feedback on the relevance, quality and cost of public services; report any wrongdoing; initiate investigations; file complaints or request compensation where relevant.
2017.1.7 Introduces mechanisms that ensure that public officials are informed about the special needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, trained and equipped to meet them and held accountable when these needs are ignored or when the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable people are not protected.

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 3: Good Health
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
1.a Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
1.b Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births
3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.3 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
5.6 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
8.b By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.9 By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
16.b Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 02 Jan 2012

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? Yes
If yes, please specify name, organisation and year. The Swedish National Göta Prize 2017 (in Swedish: Götapriset 2017)

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions asked us if they could sign us up for this competition and we answered yes. They knew about our ingtegration work and results since before.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas
2017.1.5 Creates mechanisms to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable (and those who represent or assist them) can easily obtain information about public services -notably services related to the SDGs- , related decisions and approaches, as well as about their own rights and entitlements.
2017.1.6 Creates mechanisms that can help the poorest and most vulnerable (and those representing or assisting them) to hold the government accountable on the delivery of public services. This may include mechanisms allowing them to provide feedback on the relevance, quality and cost of public services; report any wrongdoing; initiate investigations; file complaints or request compensation where relevant.
2017.1.7 Introduces mechanisms that ensure that public officials are informed about the special needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, trained and equipped to meet them and held accountable when these needs are ignored or when the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable people are not protected.

Question 3: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 02 Jan 2012

Question 4: Partners/Stakeholders

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 5: Required Supplemental Documents

Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 6: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 7: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? Yes
Comments: The Swedish National Göta Prize 2017 (in Swedish: Götapriset 2017)

Question 8: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 3: Good Health
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
1.a Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
1.b Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births
3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.3 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
5.6 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
8.b By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.9 By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
16.b Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

Question 9: Validation Consent

Do you have any objections to us inquiring about the initiative for validation purposes? No

How did you know about UNPSA?

How did you know about UNPSA? The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions asked us if they could sign us up for this competition and we answered yes. They knew about our ingtegration work and results since before.

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
Åre Municipality is a sparsely populated community – 11 000 inhabitants – where trade and industry is based on a dynamic tourism. The population has been on the decline for a lengthy period of time with an extensive exodus of young, well-educated people moving to the cities/towns of south Sweden. In 2011 our municipal politicians decided to invest in attracting refugees to Åre to stop the negative population and growth curves. Starting 2012 we have developed integration in cooperation with the private and non-profit sectors partly to attract new arrivals, partly to encourage them to stay here with us in Åre. We need the social/economic growth these people can provide. The contribution to the competition describes our model for integration of resettlement programme refugees, asylum seekers with permission to stay in Sweden and consequent family immigrants. Our current integration model shows that Åre has among the best integration results in Sweden. We have 24 months to integrate a new arrival into a self-sufficient, independent Swedish citizen. This means a job with contractual salary, a social life, language skills, access to education, community/health services, i.e. the same opportunities as any other Swede. We have received a total of 777 refugees since 2011, of which roughly 85% have gained long term self-sufficiency since 2014 and live a good life here. Subsequently population and social/economic growth now point upwards. Our model is built on voluntary engagement, cooperation with others, equality, individual solutions - firstly focusing on security before self-sufficiency/employment. New arrivals each receive an individual development plan and holistic based support, i.e. a satisfactory life perspective. Apart from the figures above we have also had approximately 1000 asylum seekers living in Åre during 2014-2016 awaiting either a permanent residence permit or deportation.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
1. To turn refugee reception into a positive factor for social/economic growth in the community. For Sweden this is a new, innovative way of looking at refugees and integration work as the majority of Sweden’s municipalities see refugees as a costly burden. Here in Åre we have introduced an integration model showing the exact opposite – refugees can be a positive resource generating social/economic growth and diversity in our community. 2. To integrate at least 100 refugees; approved asylum seekers, resettlement programme refugees and family immigrants to becoming self- sufficient and permanent citizens of Åre. 3. Currently, due to the decreasing stream of refugees arriving in Sweden we are concentrating our efforts on attracting refugees living in other parts of Sweden to move to Åre.
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
Compared with other Swedish municipalities Åre receives a proportionately high number of resettlement refugees. Together with other asylum seekers allowed to remain in Sweden they represent a highly vulnerable group – people fleeing their homelands – often due to war, poverty, illness with no prospects of being able to live a sustainable, decent life. As soon as they make the decision to flee their homeland they must leave everything behind, subsequently they find themselves in a highly precarious situation with great risk for their lives. Our integration model is tailor-made to meet the needs of these vulnerable people and help them make a good life here in our community, according to Swedish standard. Everyone receives an individually adapted development plan, which includes learning the language, receiving education/training, help in gaining employment and a satisfactory social life in our community. We also help and support them to conform to our traditions/culture and spread information regarding equality and gender relations – and much more related to common human rights. We are there for them during their integration process as long as they feel they need us – for some this entails a couple of years while for others up to three or four years.

Question 2

The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Our work model signifies that we contribute to counteracting poverty, famine and poor health by promoting a better quality of life for a highly susceptible group. Here they acquire excellent accommodation, access to public health/community services, which are regarded as among the best in the world. Access to education/training and lifelong learning – irrespective of gender or disabilities – are available. The requirements of the various individuals help us to continually develop and improve our integration model. The excellent results we have achieved over the past few years have been recognized both nationally and internationally, which has helped us spread our work model to others. This way we help improve integration work for all those interested in learning from us. We have presented our model for the EU-Commission, other EU-countries and many Swedish authorities at national, regional and local levels.

Question 3

The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Our initiative is directed at the target group refugees and their reception in Sweden. This is an issue which has been high on the Swedish political agenda for more than two years now. We have noted numerous integration models established in Sweden during the past 2 – 3 years and as Åre municipality’s model has shown first-class results in a long-term perspective other are eager to learn from us. This promotes an improvement of public services for refugees in the country.
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
We in Åre municipality are of the opinion that refugee reception is a survival issue as well as a factor for social/economic growth in the community. Therefore our approach has been to recognize individuals instead of different national groups of refugees because we have noted the “pay-back” in social/economic growth! Our performance figures also show that the target group benefits more from our integration model when compared with other municipalities in Sweden. Please note the answer under 3a!

Question 4

The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
The unique and innovative aspects of our integration model is: 1) the fact that we assume that refugee reception is an asset, providing new opportunities for us to create social/economic growth in our community, 2) the fact that we are extremely carefully about having early focus on activities that promote safety and security because we have learned that this will prevent problems later on in the integration process. We recognize refugees as a positive contribution that firstly generates diversity in the community, secondly helps cater for the demand for manpower both in the public and private sectors, and thirdly helps increase our declining population, which has remained static or seen to be steadily decreasing during a lengthy period of time. We also note that the average age is now much lower in our community due to the fact that many children and young adults as well as – last but not least – a large number of people of working age are now living here. These are all factors necessary for generating social/economic growth and prosperity in a community. We chose a different approach and are now harvesting the fruits of applying a positive perspective as well as daring to go our own way according to the individual needs we could identify among the refugees themselves.

Question 4b

b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
Our integration model has been developed by us in, for us, a natural way. We understood and recognized early on in the procedure that the feeling of being safe and secure must be prioritized before anyone can concentrate on studies/training, or employment. Basic needs must be met first. It may be noted that our model has its roots in “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”. We have successively developed our model according to our new citizen’s requirements. This has resulted in an extensive cooperation with public and private employers in order to match individuals to available jobs and with organisations in the non-profit sector for help with integration into a social life in the community.

Question 4c

c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
When we began to develop our integration model in 2012 we comprised 3.35% full time positions. By 2017/2018 we had expanded to 15.40% full time positions. We have acquired the necessary personnel, adequate for our assignment. Currently we boast a broad range of supportive functions including; Head of Immigration Service, Supervisor, Integration official, Housing Coordinator, Language support, Early validation, Project Manager, and finally, Head of Language Support. We have had the advantage of having our own budget, subsequently allowing us to form our work model as seen fit.

Question 5

The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
In November 2017 we attended a 2 day trans-national conference comprising participants from Sweden, Norway, Latvia and Finland where we presented our work. We have booked a day in March 2018 during which we will host members from a number of municipalities who are interested in a study visit. In March 2017 we presented our model, in Brussels, for the EU-Commission and several other EU-countries and were invited to a dissemination seminar. We are invited to Brussels 3rd – 4th March 2018 by EU’s Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC), who along with the EU-Commission are interested in learning about effective examples currently available in Europe. We also visited Ireland (Dublin) in December 2016, Slovakia (Bratislava) in March 2017 and Finland (Helsingfors) in June 2017. We have broached a discussion with Ireland about applying for EU-funding to carry out a joint transnational project on integration work. Since 1st January 2018 we are involved, in cooperation with Inderöy municipality, Norway, in an EU-funded project in which they are hoping to learn more about our integration work.

Question 6

The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
It takes 2 years from the time a refugee comes to Sweden to become integrated and gain self-sufficiency/employment. This means that we have 24 months during which time the person in question receives a government grant and is able to concentrate on obtaining education/training/ employment, a social life and becoming established in the community. Due to the time perspective our support resources need to be completely focused on the target and follow each individual constantly and closely. We carry out an early validation of their previous education/training and experiences and ensure that they start to learn Swedish as soon as possible. We help them with accommodation, provide information regarding Swedish rules/ regulations and traditions as well as arranging meetings with social services, child-care etc. – everything necessary to create a sense of security in their new home. We then engage our various resources to help them on the way to gain self-sufficiency. We also involve our partners in both the non-profit and private sectors without whose cooperation our model wouldn’t work. We have assembled a mixture of different resources from all sectors of society with whom we share an extremely close cooperation, in order to be able to modify our work to suit the individual! We are still there to offer support even after the obligatory 2 years but the aim, which the majority achieve, is that they will be long-term self-sufficient in our community after 2 years.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
Our work model derives from 2 starting points. 1) we adapt the integration process according to the individual – taking into consideration everyone’s specific needs and circumstances 2) we concentrate first of all on providing a sense of security here in Sweden and in our community then successively move on to focusing on self-sufficiency in the form of employment or studies/training. This work strategy is not dependent on the type of system/society one works in – it may be adapted to suit all countries. This means that our model is transferable for use in any other country and can be, without any difficulty, adapted to suit various changes over time. The model is adaptable to changing politics, economical fluctuations and social/environmental instabilities. It can always be adapted to suit the individual’s needs.

Question 7

The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
Yes
If yes, please describe how the initiative was evaluated? (200 words maximum)
Swedish municipalities all report their integration results on an ongoing basis to the National Employment Agency as well as to The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. In this way integration work is followed, compiled and evaluated continually in all Swedish municipalities.
b. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation of the impact of the initiative (200 words maximum)
Åre municipality has been “top of the class” in these evaluations since 2014. Åre’s result for 2017 shows that roughly 85% are self-sufficient in some form of studies/employment after the two years allowed for settling in. In one of our supporting documents we present some statistics from The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. If requested we can provide more statistics.
c. Please describe the indicators that were used (200 words maximum)
We use two indicators, the first of which is how many have become long term self-sufficient in the form of employment or studies, or perhaps had children. The most important thing is that people are occupied and not living on financial grants, but should instead be living a meaningful life with a guaranteed income. Secondly we use our own assessment of how many stay and become permanent residents in our community. Our ambition is to achieve 100% and in 2017 we had reached 91%! During the past two years we have also noted an increasing number of refugees who have chosen to move to Åre from other parts of Sweden. We see this as an indicator that the fact that this is an excellent community to make a new life in has spread to the national group of refugees.

Question 8

The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
We cooperate in partnership with local trade and industry where we have ongoing contacts with employers, partly to be able to acquire suitable work placements for trainees and partly to gain awareness regarding available jobs so that we can suitably match individual to job. We also have a close comprehensive cooperation in partnership with the Swedish Employment Agency to be able to obtain help at an early stage with various courses/training, which we consider essential and also to receive relevant information regarding available jobs. We cooperate in partnership with the non-profit sector where e.g. The Red Cross, various educational associations and The Church help us to organize leisure activities and make contacts in the community. We have excellent contacts within our own municipality regarding work placements for trainees, finding suitable staff for jobs available and also for receiving information at an early stage concerning jobs currently available in the organization. Åre has a dynamic tourism and we work in a specific partnership with hotel personnel and event organizers managers to give individuals the opportunity to participate at various short term events, partly to give them contacts in the community, partly to appraise how refugees themselves perform in this context. This can include anything from World Cup Competitions to smaller winter competitions and other specific leisure themes arranged for tourists.

Question 9

a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
When asked to define what we think our most successful factors are we always highlight the following 4: 1) We have successfully, at an early stage in the procedure, provided our refugees with a feeling of safety and security, allowing them to concentrate on employment/self-sufficiency. 2) We have employed people who have applied for a position with us – not those repositioned from other areas of local government. 3) We have our own budget and have been able to make our own decisions regarding financing. 4) We have always focused on solving problems as quickly as possible – in a way that was best for all concerned.

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