On 1 September 2026, BJØRK Innovation and Österåker Municipality began a three-year research and development partnership focused on smart and sustainable community development.
The collaboration is designed as a long-term R&D programme to strengthen the municipality’s innovation capacity, support climate and sustainability goals, and develop new processes, services and solutions that create value for residents, businesses and the wider community.
Åkers Kanal in Åkersberga, Österåker municipality. Photo: Linda Gelin Nielsen
From local needs to practical testing
A central principle is that development should start with real needs. The programme will identify and prioritise research and innovation initiatives together with the municipality and the local community, and connect them with relevant expertise from academia, business and civil society.
Rather than treating innovation as a separate activity, the partnership is intended to build long-term capacity inside the municipality. New ideas can be explored, tested in real settings and translated into practical solutions, while lessons and results are shared so that they can contribute beyond Österåker as well.
Three initial focus areas
The first phase of the programme is centred on three initial areas: future health services, digital twins, and citizen involvement and public service. During the autumn, idea forums and needs mapping will help define the first concrete R&D projects within these areas.
The work is linked to Österåker’s long-term development ambitions, including creating sustainable and attractive living environments, strengthening health and social sustainability, and using data, digitalisation and collaboration to support better decisions.
The ferry at Ingmarsö, one of 1100 islands in Österåker municipality. Photo: Åsa Drakenberg
A three-year learning journey
The programme is structured as a progression from building a shared foundation to testing and scaling. The first year focuses on establishing roles and governance, developing a common needs picture and creating the first project portfolio. The second year will emphasise implementation, testing and measuring value. The third year will focus on scaling what works, transferring ownership into the municipal organisation and sharing the results.
The first months are therefore about creating the conditions for delivery: confirming mandates and working structures, opening the needs-gathering process, conducting idea forums, agreeing project criteria and selecting an initial portfolio of projects.
City Director Staffan Erlandsson, City Mayor Richard Orgård, Thor Moen & Marcus Lind Nerhoel (BJØRK), and Deputy Mayor Mathias Lindow.
Photo: Sofia Lacik Nyström.
Residents and local partners at the centre
Österåker Municipality has also announced that residents, businesses and other local actors will be invited to take part through open meetings, workshops and other development activities. The first Idéforum Österåker is planned for the autumn, creating an early opportunity for residents to contribute ideas and perspectives on how the municipality can develop.
BJØRK’s role is to lead and structure the programme together with the municipality, contribute methodology and specialist expertise, support the development of externally funded R&D projects, and ensure that knowledge and learning are shared across networks and with other public-sector actors.
Learn more
Österåker R&D programme
Read Österåker Municipality’s announcement about the collaboration and how residents can get involved: Dina idéer kan bidra till framtidens Österåker ↗
