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Summary
The Nyköping Rivers Water Conservation Association is one of Sweden’s oldest water conservation associations, established in 1959 to address water pollution in the Nyköping River. Since then, the association’s work has continued and developed. Today, it is an association based on three pillars: monitoring, regulation, and coordination of measures. We inspire engagement for clean and healthy water.
The association has noticed an increasing need for collaboration and assistance with water issues among municipalities. Many municipalities lack the resources to work strategically on water issues. This is where the association can play an important role; we have expertise in water issues and can support and drive processes together with the municipalities. The project is part of the work with the regional action program for Södermanland’s environment 2022–2026, where the association is primarily responsible for the action ”Water Municipal Network for Increased Cooperation on Water Issues” within the area of ”Vital Waters,” provided that funding is available for coordination.
The idea for the network started when the Action Program for Södermanland’s environment was launched. NVVF began by identifying contact persons in all municipalities, then followed up by calling around to ask how they were working with water. We quickly understood that there was a significant need for coordination and a desire to learn from each other. The project has resulted in a new municipal network that has held 9 meetings from 2022 to 2024. The network has been much anticipated and greatly needed.
Thanks to the network, municipalities have started working more strategically on water issues and now have several points of contact to consult and gather information and knowledge. Thanks to the network, everyone now has a ”water buddy.” We hope that the association will continue to drive this network forward.
