Central
A national Structural Fund plan implements both the ERDF and the ESF, in coordination with eight Regional Structural Fund partnerships.
The central government is responsible for:
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Setting the overall policy framework and general guidelines for the policy, and
- Public co-funding.
European Social Fund (ESF)
- Employment and labour market policies;
- The administration of unemployment benefits, and
- Public co-funding.
- The managing authority is the.
Spatial planning
The legal framework and policy guidelines for spatial planning,
Regional
Regional authorities are responsible for:
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Regional growth and development (County administrative boards for the counties, and the Regions), and
- The implementation of the ERDF through eight regional Structural Fund partnerships (responsible for setting priorities among the approved projects).
European Social Fund (ESF)
- The eight Regional Structural Fund partnerships define their regional ESF plans on how the ESF's resources are to be used.
Spatial planning
- The County Administrative Board has competence in the field of:
- Infrastructure planning, and
- Sustainable urban planning and housing.
There exists the possibility to create a regional planning agency bringing together municipalities under certain circumstances.
Local
Municipal authorities are responsible for:
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Local economic development, and
- Electing the members of the Regional Structural Funds partnerships.
European Social Fund (ESF)
- Electing the members of the Regional Structural Funds partnerships.
Spatial planning
Municipalities have an important position in the spatial planning process.
- Detailed local spatial planning;
- Decisions on local spatial planning,
- Preparing comprehensive municipal plans on spatial planning topics (those are not legally binding and are drawn up in consultation with County administrative boards).
Responsible bodies, ministeries
Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth
Swedish ESF Council
Ministry for the Environment and Energy (for spatial planning).
Sources
Förordning (2017:868) med länsstyrelseinstruktion [Ordinance (2017:868) with the County instructions]. Entered into force 1 November 2017, Amended through SFS 2019:1125. County instructions
Plan- och bygglag (2010:900) [Planning and Building Act 2010:900] Entered into force 1 January 2010 and amended through SFS 2020:253
Swedish ESF Council and Process Support for Strategic Impact and Learning in the Entered into force 1 January 2010 and amended through SFS 2011:795.
The Social Fund in Figures – project participants and figures .
Tilllväxtverket portal, Cohesion policy and funds. Social Fund (2010).
