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A long-term perspective. – Much of what we work on is a bit long-term, says Lottie Dahl Ryde of Region Blekinge.
LIVINGLAB EAST. All of Blekinge’s municipalities are, to some extent, neighbours of the sea. So when the opportunity arose, it was a natural step for Lottie Dahl Ryde, a development strategist at Region Blekinge, to become involved in C2B2.
– The different perspectives, the mix of participants, the idea behind the LivingLabs and access to a really strong network … all of that made us want to get involved, she says.
Issues relating to water and the sea are high on the agenda at Region Blekinge.
– Either there is too much, too little, or it is in the wrong place, says Lottie Dahl Ryde.
Blekinge is very much a coastal and archipelago region, and her own role has a particular focus on innovation related to the sea. She works on a range of challenges, such as identifying the region’s opportunities to contribute to different solutions and determining what new products or services are needed.
– How can we create sustainable growth? And, not least, who do we need to work with to get there?
Security – an obvious focus
The Hanö Bay area, like the entire Baltic Sea coast, is of major interest from a security perspective. Another important aspect is the role of commercial fishing in ensuring food supplies.
– We have a naval base here, but also one of Sweden’s most important fishing ports. That creates a certain complexity when it comes to some development issues, she says.
Other factors that need to be taken into account include pollution, such as oil spills. The region works on such issues through long-term processes, developing methods and building networks. There is also considerable work at EU level.
– It’s all quite complex, and it can be difficult to explain to our politicians what we are actually doing. Sometimes they want to see quick results, but we work with time horizons that can stretch 15 to 20 years into the future.
Working with flexibility
She says the work is also often about processes rather than projects.
– You can’t have a plan that is too precise. Instead, you have to see what happens and what can be done.
In her regard, It is an interesting work. A job that also involves some traveling.
– Not a huge amount. But I do make the occasional trip to Brussels to build relationships and networks.
Lottie Dahl Ryde also works to involve young people in regional development. One example is a school in an area facing socioeconomic challenges. The school has received EU funding to become a so-called European Blue School, bringing aspects of the sea and water into the curriculum. The region is now working with the school in different ways, for example they assist in bringing in guest speakers.
One distinctive feature of Blekinge is that it is relatively densely populated for a region without a major metropolitan area.
– We have 160,000 inhabitants, which is a lot for such a small geographical area.
In the ranking of Sweden’s regions by population density, Blekinge is sixth, just behind Västmanland.
Demographics create challenges
But the population density has been declining for several years, creating new challenges. The average age is increasing, while the tax base is shrinking. Recruiting and retaining the skills the region needs has also become more difficult. These are all issues that Blekinge’s development strategists are looking for solutions to.
Since 2024, Lottie Dahl Ryde has been involved in C2B2’s LivingLab East, which focuses on the Baltic Proper. She finds the experience highly rewarding.
– Yes, I think it has been impressive in every respect. We have gained new perspectives on the issues we work with, as well as many new contacts. It has been highly relevant.
She is also pleased with the range of stakeholders represented in the programme.
– We have academia, wind power companies and technology companies, and more. But since security issues often come up in the discussions, it would be good to have the Swedish Navy involved as well, along with the Swedish Coast Guard.
C2B2 is now looking ahead to a second phase, scheduled to start in autumn 2027, with a focus on ports and the infrastructure surrounding them. Lottie Dahl Ryde finds the prospect highly interesting.
– It sounds like it would be very relevant for us to continue being involved, she says.
Facts: Lottie Dahl Ryde
Age: 59.
Occupation: Development strategist at Region Blekinge. She holds a degree in business and economics, specialising in organisation and management, and has a background in the private sector.
Lives: Karlskrona.
Family: Two adult children.
Supports: Mjällby AIF.
Interests: Ceramics, silversmithing and textile printing.
Gets around by: Bicycle.
Photo: Thomas Drakenfors