West Sweden, the West Sweden EU and Representation Office, is a co-operation between the regions and municipalities in Western Sweden. The organisation has 71 members; 68 municipalities and three regions: the Region of Halland, the Region of Värmland and the Region of Västra Götaland. West Sweden was founded in 1992 and established its Brussels Office in 1993 as one of the first Swedish regional offices.
West Sweden's objectives
- West Sweden is a service organisation for the municipalities and regions in its area, with the task to stimulate and support the local and regional development in West Sweden, mainly through the possibilities offered by the membership in the European Union.
- West Sweden offers its members the possibility to develop ideas at the cutting edge of European development and to promote the regional interest in the EU.
West Sweden's activities aim to:
- Refine project ideas with the ambition to develop West Sweden in co-operation with European partners.
- Encourage and support the member's participation in the EU funds and programmes.
- Monitor EU policy that affects West Sweden as a region,
- Build networks with the different actors in the European Union.
- West Sweden has two offices, one in Gothenburg and one in Brussels. The board, which is the highest decisive body in the organisation, consists of 17 politically appointed representatives from the different parts of the region.
