Current initiative
Political innovation guide
Political Innovation Guide is a joint initiative by STRING, Mälardalsrådet and the Kvarken Council EGTC – three sister organisations working across borders to strengthen regional development. The guide highlights the structures, strategies, and tools that make political innovation possible in practice. It shows how transregional cooperation can improve accessibility and competitiveness where traditional governance falls short – and offers inspiration and insights for regional actors, policymakers, and anyone working with cross-border collaboration.
Welcome to explore the guide! On this page, you can read more about the background, download the full handbook
WHY POLITICAL INNOVATION MATTERS
1
Increasing gaps in governance of issues falling between national and regional jurisdictions
2
Democratic resilience requires strength through increased stakeholder engagement and representation
3
The current ambitions in societal transformation require policy tools that are faster, more adaptive, and cross-sectoral
OUR SOLUTION
Regions and cities are joining efforts across administrational jurisdictions to address shortcomings and strengthen regional development by deepening transregional collaboration, which unlocks agglomeration benefits.
WHAT IS POLITICAL INNOVATION?
Definition:
Fresh strategies and collaborations in governance
Context:
Cross-border complexity, transregional coordination, unlockingagglommeration benefits, and naigating a successful greentransition
“Cities and regions are organizing their work in close collaborations with their neighbours, forming interdependent networks able to address the administrative vacuum of (cross-border) issues left unaddressed by federal governments. ”
– Political Innovation Guide, 2025
KEY MECHANISMS OF POLITICAL INNOVATION
I.Cross-Regional Collaboration:
Bringing together regions across administrative borders to mobilize resources and expertise
II.Organizational Flexibility:
Combining democratic accountability with operational efficiency through agile decision-making processes
III.Long-Term Strategic Planning:
Developing comprehensive strategies that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability
IV.Broad Stakeholder Engagement:
Actively involving citizens and stakeholders to ensure legitimacy and transparency
V.Cross-Sectoral Cooperation:
Creating platforms where public, private, and academic sectors collaborate on shared challenges
CENTRAL LEARNINGS
- Cross-border collaboration unlocks scale and impact
Shared challenges like transport, energy, and skills provision are tackled more effectively through joint regional action.
- Political legitimacy grows through engagement
Broad stakeholder involvement ensures transparency, local anchoring, and long-term trust in cross-regional projects.
- Flexible structures empower real-time innovation
Agile decision-making, voluntary participation, and thematic working groups enable fast, responsive governance.
- Long-term strategies ensure continuity
Strategic frameworks and advance planning align our actions with shared future goals, enabling us to tackle large societal transformations.
Download – POLITICAL INNOVATION GUIDE
Our Participation in Events – WELCOME!
Contact – PROJECT PARTNERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Mälardalsrådet
Represented by:
Johan Hjelm, Head of Strategic Communication and Development
Contact information
STRING Megaregion
Represented by: Meriel Ott, Consultant & Event Manager
Anton Jacobsen, Communications Officer
Contact information
SOME OF THE PROJECTS PRESENTED IN THE POLITICAL INNOVATION GUIDE ARE FUNDED BY THESE INSTRUMENTS
