Our Mission
We are transforming Sweden, fossil-free and resource-conscious, into attractive and accessible living environments for all. We show how — in 100 places over 10 years. ShiftSweden brings together business, academia, the public sector and civil society to accelerate sustainable transformation at the intersection of the built environment and mobility.
Transition Labs
Transition labs are ShiftSweden’s environments for systemic innovation. Each lab clusters projects, municipalities, researchers, companies and civil society organisations to explore, test and scale solutions for sustainable transformation.
Some transition labs focus on specific geographic places across Sweden. Others focus on shared systemic challenges that connect many places and actors. By clustering projects around common challenges, transition labs create opportunities for collective learning, stronger collaboration and greater impact, moving beyond "projectification".
Transformation begins where people live, move and interact.
ShiftSweden uses place as a platform for learning, experimentation and collaboration. By working in real places, we make complex challenges tangible, uncover systemic barriers and create opportunities to test new solutions.
Our transition labs connect local knowledge with systemic change
Three Shifts for Systemic Change
To achieve our mission, ShiftSweden focuses on three interconnected shifts:
1. Circular Construction
From resource-intensive linear construction processes - to circular business models and lasting value.
We explore reuse, resource efficiency and new ways of creating long-term social, environmental and economic value.
2. Sustainable Mobility
From unsustainable transport - to a new freedom reform with competitive alternatives to individual car travel.
We support accessible, inclusive and climate-smart mobility systems that make everyday life easier.
3. Integrated Systems
From separate sectors - to integrated solutions and ways of working.
We connect planning, mobility and the built environment to create long-term systemic transformation.
International Collaboration
The challenges facing the built environment and mobility systems are shared across borders. ShiftSweden collaborates internationally to strengthen learning, increase impact and accelerate transformation. We actively engage with initiatives and networks such as:
- New European Bauhaus (NEB)
- Driving Urban Transitions (DUT)
- European Urban Initiative (EUI)
- URBACT
- POLIS Network
- Viable Cities
- NetZeroCities
- Nordic collaborations and international learning networks
Join our Community of Learning
Our Community of Learning brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and innovators from Sweden and around the world to exchange knowledge, build capacity and accelerate transformation.