OECD Rural Policy Reviews Linking the Indigenous Sami People with Regional Development in Sweden

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations and acronyms
Executive summary
	Assessment
		The Sami are important to the economic development and quality of life in  northern Sweden
	Recommendations
		Better linking the Sami with regional development
			1. Improving data collection and dissemination on Sami livelihoods and well-being
			2. Enhancing policies and programmes that create a better enabling environment for Sami businesses and livelihoods
			3. Strengthening the linkages between the Sami – as a group of diverse individuals and institutions – and regional development efforts
Assessment and recommendations
	Assessment
		The Sami are important to the economic development and quality of life in northern Sweden
			Sami economic development is based on a symbiotic relationship with nature and the reproduction of Sami language and cultural traditions
			The reindeer industry is seeing growing demand – but it is an industry under stress
			There is a growing market for tourism in northern Sweden, but there are few Sami-owned tourism businesses
			The Sami cultural sector is relatively small – it will likely require seed capital, grants and other supports to flourish
			A lack of statistical data on the Sami in Sweden makes it difficult to understand the Sami business sector, livelihoods and well-being
			A wide range of policies across levels of government shape the enabling environment for Sami business development
	Recommendations
		Improving data collection and dissemination
		An enabling environment for Sami businesses and livelihoods
			Make regional and rural development programme design more inclusive of the Sami
			Address regulatory and financial barriers to Sami business development
			Ensure regional and rural development programmes support clustering activities to support small businesses
			Building capacity in the Sami business sector – Strengthening the role of intermediary institutions
			Expand skills and training opportunities for Sami business development
		Developing a sustainable Sami-led tourism industry
			Investments in Sami culture and education are investments in Sami economic development
		Better linking the Sami with regional and rural development efforts
			Improve engagement with Sami society in the context of regional and rural development
		Land management and regional development
			Rights to consultation on land use issues should be clarified and capacity building for Sami institutions/organisations
		Enhanced regional spatial planning and an integrated perspective
		Towards a comprehensive national Sami policy
Chapter 1.  Sami economy, livelihoods and well-being
	Sami communities and identity in Sweden
		The Sami are recognised in Swedish law as both a national minority and as an Indigenous people as well as within the framework of common legislation for all Swedish citizens
			Indigenous rights are linked to reindeer husbandry, while national minority rights relate to language and culture
			The Sami Parliament Act in Sweden has its own definition of who is Sami
	The Sami economy and livelihoods in the context of northern Sweden
		The regional economies of northern Sweden
		The Sami business sector
			Reindeer husbandry, hunting and fishing
			Tourism, duodji and food production
			Cultural trades
			Other rural activities
			Sami businesses/livelihoods and connections to the regional economy
	Sami well-being – taking a broad view of development
		There is a limited picture of Sami well-being in Sweden
		Some recent government-funded studies help to fill in the gaps in healthcare knowledge and promote culturally appropriate healthcare practices
	Improving data collection and statistics
		Data challenges and implications
		Options for improved data collection and dissemination
	Notes
	References
Chapter 2.  Linking the Sami with regional and rural development policies and programmes
	The multi-level governance framework for rural and regional development – Sami affairs at the national, regional and local levels
		The national government sets rights frameworks for the Sami and structures national, regional and rural development policies
			Rights frameworks for Sami shape economic development and self determination
			Responsibilities for Sami affairs extend across a number of national ministries
			Sami affairs at the national level focus on language and cultural policies, reindeer husbandry and consultation on matters involving Sami
			European Structural and Investment Funds are an integrated part of Sweden’s national regional growth policy
			Framework for Regional Growth Policy in Sweden
			The European Regional Development Fund as a part of regional policy in Sweden
			The Rural Development Programme provides access to funds for Sami businesses and initiatives in reindeer herding, tourism and culture
			A need for greater flexibility in RDP programming requirements to meet Sami needs
			A new framework for rural policy in Sweden – but limited engagement with Sami affairs
		Sami affairs in the EU – focus on transnational co-operation across Sapmi
		A strengthened role for regions brings new opportunities for Sami engagement
			Recent reforms enhance the role of regions in Sweden – this presents an opportunity to strength relations with the Sami in the regions
			The cultural assets of the Sami are identified in all northern regional development strategies – but only Region Västerbotten concretely addresses the need for improved engagement with the Sami
		Municipal policies and services – Focus on Sami culture and language
			Engagement with Sami affairs at the municipal level tends to focus on support for Sami culture and language services
			The minority rights policy is not being realised in practice
	Creating an enabling environment for Sami businesses and livelihoods
		Make regional and rural development programme design more inclusive of the Sami
		Address regulatory and financial barriers to Sami business development
		Ensure regional and rural development programmes support clustering activities to support small businesses
		Building capacity in the Sami business sector – Strengthening the role of intermediary institutions
		Expand skills and training opportunities for Sami business development
		Developing a sustainable Sami-led tourism industry
		Investments in Sami culture and education are investments in Sami economic development
	Notes
	References
Chapter 3.  Inclusive regional and rural development policies and governance
	Better linking the Sami with regional and rural development efforts
		A diversity of Sami voices and institutions – Implications for engagement
		Towards more effective engagement
	Land management and regional development
		Sami land rights and the regulation of reindeer herding
		The need for clarity on rights to consultation and increased capacity for the Sami to be effective partners in engagement
		Learning from the Laponia governance model
	The need for enhanced regional spatial planning and an integrated perspective
	Towards a comprehensive national Sami policy
	Notes
	References
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