- Startsida
- SKR
- English pages
- Activities, policy areas
Activities, policy areas
Here you can find a selection of SALAR’s policy areas and read about our work.
The activities of The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) are numerous and varied, both within Sweden and on the international scene.
European laws and regulations, global developments and global agreements have an effect at national and regional level. European subsidies, knowledge sharing and advocacy at European and global level are important for the development of municipalities and regions.
SALAR monitors and provides support in EU and international issues concerning Swedish municipalities and regions.
The European Perspective
As EU legislation and policies have a substantial impact on local and regional government in Sweden, the European and international perspectives have been mainstreamed into the day-to-day work of the Association. Each division is in charge of public affairs and policy monitoring within its respective field.
SALAR plays an active role in a number of different platforms and organizations at the European level.
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
In the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Sweden is represented by 24 politicians elected to municipal, county council and regional assemblies. The European Committee of the Regions is the only formal EU body where the local and regional level has a direct opportunity to influence European legislation. The CoR is an advisory body and an important political channel to influence decisions taken by the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
SALAR provides both policy advise and administrative support to the Swedish delegation in the Committee.
Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
SALAR are members of the European municipal and regional federations' cooperation organization (CEMR). The organization conducts systematic advocacy work against EU legislation and promotes cooperation between its members. CEMR is the European section of the world organization United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). CEMR continuously develops positions on EU legislation and conducts active lobbying work in several areas such as the environment, services, transport and regional development.
SALAR is represented by 5 members in CEMR's highest decision-making body, the Policy Committee. The committee's mission is to promote local self-government and cooperation between municipalities and regions in Europe.
SGI Europe
SALAR participates in the social dialogue through membership and active participation in European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services and Services of general interest (SGI Europe) which is the leading European employers' organization for public employers.
The international Perspective
SALAR also monitors international issues through membership in world-wide organizations and networks.
United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is an international interest organization for cities and municipal and regional associations. UCLG works to strengthen the status of the local level globally and clarify the role of municipalities and cities in the global development work.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE)
The Council of Europe is an organization that works to promote democracy, respect for human rights and the principles of the rule of law. The Congress of local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) is part of the Council of Europe and works with these issues at the local and regional level. CLRAE ‘s role is to promote local and regional democracy and strengthen local and regional self-government. Much of the work is based on the European Convention on Municipal Self-Government.
Sweden is a member of the CLRAE and is represented by 12 elected politicians from the local and regional level. SALAR provides administrative and expert support to the Swedish delegation.