Tro, hopp och samarbete
en fallstudie av Olofströms mellankommunala samverkan i västra Blekinge
Local federationMunicipalityOlofströmBlekingeCo-operationPolitical and administrative sciencesStatsvetenskapFörvaltningskunskapLaw and Political Science
The municipality of Olofström is intensifying the co-operation with Sölvesborg and Karlshamn, the two other municipalities in the west of Blekinge. They co-operate in two local federations and for the moment negotiations are going on about a third local federation in continuation school, but the municipalities do not agree. The aim of this thesis is to examine why Olofström co-operate with Sölvesborg and Karlshamn, if there are any problems and where the limit of this co-operation is. The method in the thesis is qualitative interviews with local politicians and officials and an actor-structure-perspective is used. The result shows that Olofström is a municipality where the population is decreasing, and it has lost state subsidy during the last decade. There is a ground for co-operation, even though there has been opposition against it earlier. Olofström is co-operating in order to maintain the quality of the services offered to the inhabitants. This is difficult for a small municipality. The question of the shape of the local federation, the economy and different views from politicians and officials are obstacles in the process to reach co-operation. Laws and rules can make it easier to be successful in co-operation.