Leader Bohuskust and border region
After several years of locally led development, Leader Bohuskust and Border Region will conclude in 2025. This summarizes the work, results, and effects of the investment in a sustainable and viable coastal and border region in northern Bohuslän.
Annual meeting 2026
Date: March 5, 2026
Time: 10–11 AM
Place: Digitally via Microsoft Teams (link will be sent out after registration)
Registration: No later than March 4 to jennie@leaderbohuslan.se
Information about the conclusion of Leader Bohuskust and Border Region
Leader Bohuskust and Border Region will conclude in connection with the annual meeting in 2026. The annual meeting constitutes the final step in the statutory process for the dissolution of the association and follows the association's statutes as well as the decision made at the annual meeting in 2025.
The background is that the Leader activity in the area from the EU program period 2023–2027 will be conducted through a new association, Leader Bohuslän, which is the active organization for current and upcoming projects. Leader Bohuskust and Border Region has thus fulfilled its mission.
At the annual meeting in 2026, the formal concluding matters will be addressed, including the final decision on dissolution and decisions regarding the disposition of the association's assets.
Documents for the annual meeting
Below are documents for the annual meeting available:
Appendix 1 – Minutes from the annual meeting 2025
Minutes from the annual meeting on February 27, 2025, where a decision was made to dissolve the association (decision point 19).
Appendix 2 – The board's proposal for the disposition of the association's assets
Minutes from the board meeting where the board decided to propose to the annual meeting in 2026 how the association's remaining funds should be handled in connection with the dissolution (decision point 666).
The agenda and annual report for the financial year are also available on the page.
Leader Bohuskust and Border Region 2014-2022
About the program
During the period 2014–2022, Leader Bohuskust and Border Region worked to implement a local development strategy for a viable, inclusive, and sustainable Bohuslän.
The work was based on the Leader method, collaboration between the non-profit, private, and public sectors, and included the municipalities of Strömstad, Tanum, Sotenäs, and Lysekil, with an expanded operational area for the Sea and Fisheries Fund that encompassed all of Bohuslän.
The strategy was based on the area's unique coastal and border region, with the goal of strengthening entrepreneurship, housing, natural and cultural environments, and social cohesion.
The vision was to create a region where people want to live, work, and visit – year-round.
The strategy was based on three overarching goals:
Goal 1: A viable and competitive business sector – with a focus on tourism, fishing, coastal businesses, and new collaborations.
Goal 2: An attractive and socially sustainable area – with a focus on services, immigration, integration, and participation.
Goal 3: An environmentally sustainable coast and countryside – with a focus on sustainable use of the sea's and land's resources.
The horizontal goals were equality, integration, and environmental and climate considerations.
Implementation and results
Through about eighty local projects, new businesses, networks, and development initiatives were created within both the business sector and civil society.
A particularly strong focus was placed on coastal industries, where several projects contributed to developing sustainable fishing, local food, and tourism.
Other initiatives promoted collaboration between associations, businesses, and municipalities, and strengthened local services and attractiveness in smaller communities.
The Leader office served as an important meeting place for idea development, coordination, and advice.
Experiences and collaborations from previous initiatives, including within marine and fishery management, were utilized to strengthen local competence and sustainability.
Effects and lessons learned
The work led to a clear increase in local engagement and cooperation across sector boundaries.
Many projects created lasting operations and partnerships that continued after the program period ended.
Particularly successful was the support for women's entrepreneurship, youth participation, and integration efforts in coastal communities.
The investments in local food and coastal industries strengthened the area's identity and economic vitality.
The work contributed to increased trust, innovation capacity, and social sustainability throughout the region.
Financing
The efforts were financed by:
- European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
- European Regional Development Fund
- European Social Fund
In addition, contributed the municipalities of Strömstad, Tanum, Sotenäs, and Lysekil with public co-financing.
Projects and activities were carried out in close collaboration with associations, businesses, and other local actors, whose voluntary efforts constituted an important part of the financing.
For initiatives within the Maritime and Fisheries Fund Leader Bohuskust had a expanded operational area that included the seven municipalities in southern Bohuslän – Orust, Tjörn, Stenungsund, Öckerö, Kungälv, Uddevalla, and Gothenburg.
The area in numbers
- Total budget: approximately 62.7 million kronor
- The operation of the Leader office: approximately 14.7 million kronor
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: approximately 34.1 million kronor for projects
- European Maritime and Fisheries Fund: approximately 8.9 million kronor for projects
- European Regional Development Fund: approximately 2.5 million kronor for projects
- European Social Fund: approximately 2.5 million kronor for projects
- Number of completed projects: around 80 projects
- Number of participating municipalities: 4 municipalities – Strömstad, Tanum, Sotenäs, Lysekil with collaboration also with the seven municipalities in southern Bohuslän (Orust, Tjörn, Stenungsund, Öckerö, Kungälv, Uddevalla and Gothenburg) through the Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
