Class 8 B, the winners of Nybro´s "Environmental Olympic Games" in 1995
The local Agenda process started with a report which decribes the environmental situation in Nybro as well as national goals. The "Nybro-report" was distributed free of charge to politicians, private companies, schools and anybody who asked for it. This was carried out since - in order to be ready to participate in the local Agenda process - the inhabitants must be acquainted with the present environmental situation.
Agenda 21: Visions
The report was written by a team in which different departments of the municipality were represented. Today this team performs the Agenda work in Nybro. It produces proposals and visions for the future development of Nybro. The overall vision for Nybro´s local Agenda for the year 2100 is: "Together we wish to develop a society where we can live contentedly both today and in the future." The Agenda includes more concrete goals and visions for 2005 and 2020, such as "All inhabitants in Nybro will have increased environmental awareness by the year 2005".
Seminars, brainstormingteams, etc.
In order to initiate communication about Agenda 21 with inhabitants, Nybro has arranged open seminars, study circles, lectures and competitions. The officials estimate that these have reached about 3000 people, i.e. 15 % of Nybro´s inhabitants. Environmental education has also been given to politicians and municipal employees.An important element in the process are the special brainstorming teams producing ideas for the Agenda. These teams consist of key persons from different sectors of society. All ideas that arise from these teams are discussed by a managing body and circulated to various interest groups.
Concrete projects
"The Environment Olympics", a quiz participated by classes from the schools as well as politicians from several boards of the local government, was organized in April 1995 for the first time. The quiz was organized in cooperation with Nybro´s sister city Pruszcz-Gdanski in Poland. So far, Agenda action has also resulted in an environmental exhibition, a competition called "Grow, water and win" for children under seven (Who will grow the most beautiful vegetables?), subvention of composts, recycling of building materials and a bicycling project. Nybro has also adopted the idea of eco-teams from Nacka and established its own eco-teams, each of which consists of a group of 4 or 5 households.
An Agenda 21 document in consensus
A document "Local Agenda 21 for those living in the Nybro Municipality", was published in June 1996. It is a document made in consensus so that all the various interest groups can accept it and start working for the realization of the Agenda vision. So far, about 400 private persons, 11 industries and 33 different organisations as well as trade enterprises, banks and hotels have committed themselves by signing the terms of the local Agenda 21.
Research project
At the "Agenda 21 Research School" at the University of Kalmar, several research projects concerning Agenda 21 and sustainable development are going on. In the project "Agenda 21 in the Municipalities - A Tool for Sustainability?", both natural and behavioural issues are analyzed. The researchers study the Agenda 21 process in four municipalities in the south of Sweden, Nybro being one of these municipalities. The Agenda 21 Research School also administers a network called "Agenda 21 Centre Southeast Baltic".For more information, please contact Ms Carolina Gunnarsson, fax: +46 481 452 01, Nybro Municipalitry or Ms Marianne Lindström or or fax: +46 480 446262, Kalmar University. You are also welcome to visit Nybro´s homepage.
