Together with Mälardalsrådet and the Kvarken Council, STRING has developed the Political Innovation Guide – a hands-on publication for policymakers, civil servants, and regional leaders.
The guide explores how cross-border collaboration can strengthen democracy, increase public engagement, and offer innovative solutions to complex societal challenges.
In a time of growing complexity in regional development, there is an increasing need for new ways of working politically. Issues such as climate change, infrastructure, energy transition, and skills shortages rarely stop at national or administrative borders. The Political Innovation Guide addresses these shared challenges by exploring how cooperation between regions and cities can unlock new democratic potential and more effective governance.
What is Political Innovation?
Political innovation means rethinking how we make decisions, involve citizens, and shape the institutions that guide our societies. This guide introduces practical tools and strategies that help make governance more inclusive, adaptable, and future-focused — while maintaining strong democratic foundations.
At its heart, political innovation is about doing things differently to achieve better outcomes: aligning long-term strategies, engaging a broader range of stakeholders, and designing more agile governance systems that can respond to today’s fast-changing realities.
This is not just a conceptual document – it’s a practical handbook, written for those who want to act. The guide presents five key mechanisms that support successful political innovation:
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Cross-regional collaboration
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Organizational flexibility
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Long-term strategic planning
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Broad stakeholder engagement
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Cross-sectoral cooperation
These are illustrated with Nordic examples and actionable insights drawn from real-world cross-border projects.
