CFAs: Preparatory Project for a Reformed Public Sector (Sweden)

Deadline: 17-Jun-2026

SustainGov provides funding of up to SEK 500,000 for collaborative preparatory projects that explore innovative ways for the public sector to improve health, well-being, and sustainability. Projects must involve multiple stakeholders, focus on systemic change, and result in actionable proposals to strengthen public sector operations.

Programme Overview

The SustainGov initiative, part of the broader Impact Innovation programme, supports projects that transform public sector operations to operate within planetary boundaries. The goal is to enhance societal well-being by fostering:

• Complex care solutions for diverse health and social needs
• Inclusive societies that address inequities and participation gaps
• Food security through sustainable systems
• Renewed citizen-public sector relationships for collaborative governance

The program emphasizes multi-stakeholder collaboration to identify problems, explore solutions, and prepare actionable strategies for public sector reform.

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: Up to SEK 500,000 per project
• Coverage: Up to 100% of eligible costs
• Project Duration: Maximum six months
• Eligible Costs Include:
  • Stakeholder engagement activities
  • Research and analysis
  • Workshops, consultations, and knowledge-building events
  • Coordination and project management expenses

The funding is intended for preparatory and exploratory work, not full-scale implementation. Each project should produce concrete proposals for the next steps toward reform.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible project groups must include:

• At least two organizations from relevant sectors (public, civil society, academia, or business)
• A coordinating entity that is one of the following:
  • Municipality
  • Association of municipalities
  • Regional authority
  • State public authority

The requirement ensures projects are public sector-led while fostering broad collaboration.

Project Focus Areas

SustainGov encourages projects in four priority areas:

1. Complex Care Needs: Innovative approaches to health and social care delivery
2. Inclusive Society: Projects that promote equity, participation, and social cohesion
3. Food Security: Strategies for sustainable, resilient food systems
4. Citizen-Public Sector Relations: Enhancing engagement, trust, and collaboration

How to Apply

1. Assemble Project Group: Ensure inclusion of at least two organizations from relevant sectors.
2. Define Scope: Identify a systemic challenge aligned with SustainGov’s focus areas.
3. Develop Proposal: Outline objectives, methods for collaboration, and expected outcomes.
4. Plan Budget: Ensure all costs are eligible and justified within the six-month timeframe.
5. Submit Application: Include participating organizations, project plan, and expected impact.

Tips for Success:

• Emphasize multi-stakeholder collaboration
• Highlight systemic relevance and potential for actionable reform
• Clearly define outputs and next steps
• Show alignment with health, sustainability, and societal well-being objectives

Selection Criteria

Proposals are evaluated based on:

• Relevance to the public sector transformation agenda
• Strength and diversity of collaborative partnerships
• Feasibility and clarity of the project design and expected outcomes
• Potential to generate actionable insights and proposals for future reform

FAQs

1. Who can coordinate a project?
A municipality, association of municipalities, regional authority, or state public authority.

2. How many organizations must be involved?
At least two organizations from relevant sectors, including the coordinating public entity.

3. What is the maximum funding available?
Up to SEK 500,000, covering up to 100% of eligible costs.

4. How long can projects last?
Maximum duration is six months, focusing on preparatory and exploratory work.

5. Which areas are prioritized?
Complex care needs, inclusive society, food security, and citizen-public sector relationships.

6. Are private companies eligible to participate?
Yes, as part of the multi-stakeholder project group, but the lead must be a public sector entity.

7. What is the expected outcome of the project?
A clear and concrete proposal for the next step toward public sector reform.

Conclusion

The SustainGov preparatory projects funding enables public sector-led collaborations to explore systemic solutions, strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement, and generate actionable proposals that improve health, well-being, and sustainability. By emphasizing collaboration, exploration, and concrete outputs, the initiative supports innovative public sector transformation across priority societal areas.

For more information, visit Vinnova.