Biosfär - Vänerskärgården Kinnekulle

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, NEW FOCUS FOR  THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE Biosphere Reserve Lake Vänern Archipelago with Mount Kinnekulle has been granted funding from the Skaraborg Municipal Association for a pilot study in social entrepreneurship. This enables a preparatory study within the Biosphere Reserve to develope a shared vision of sustainable community development with a focus on social entrepreneurship as a model for growth and development. This is the first project in social entrepreneurship within the Biosphere Reserve which is in this respect a pilot area in Sweden. "I would be glad to know of other biosphere reserves in the world that strategically works with social entrepreneurship. This preliminary study lays the ground for a very exciting area of development where we can be the trendsetter in the global program for Biosphere Reserves "says co-ordinator Johanna MacTaggart.

Social entrepreneurship is a business where the entrepreneural idea is directly derived from a social problem (social or environmental) which are resolved with the innovative and entrepreneurial approaches. Companies are then to create public benefits while requiring financial returns. The equation for social entrepreneurship is that all dimensions of the business, social and economic, should be of "democratic" value creation. The preparatory study will define the concept of social entrepreneurship, conduct a needs and current state description about social entrepreneurship in the Biosphere Reserve and analyze the collected material about the prerequisites for social entrepreneurship linked to the Biosphere Reserve. Also, a seminar will be held.

The project involves a dossier for conditions that may constitute a knowledge base for decision makers and other actors involved in sustainable community development. The preparatory study will lead to a deeper and broader application on social entrepreneurship in the Biosphere Reserve based on a cross-sectoral cooperation between different actors in the three municipalities, the biosphere office, Skaraborg Municipal Association and the Region Västra Götaland and academia.

On the wintery morning of October 22^nd, Crown Princess Victoria and Prins Daniel visited Kinnekulle. They were greeted by a small crowd by the lookout tower. They had requested information about the Biosphere Reserve. The view was unfortunately blocked by fog. But more the reason to come back!

Co-ordinator Johanna MacTaggart and chair Jonny Johansson greets the royalty.

It is tradition for Swedish kings to sign their names on the king stones. As the future Queen and Prince of Sweden, so did aslo this couple. Photo Per-Anders Hurtigh

 Another stop on their visit in the Biosphere Reserve was Läckö castle. Photo Per-Anders Hurtigh

The Lake Vänern Stipend is an annual award which acknowledges someone who have contributed to increased knowledge of Lake Vänern. Johanna MacTaggart is the receiver for 2010 with the motivation: for her purposeful work and her full committment, that has laid the foundation for Lake Vänern Archipelago and Mount Kinnekulle Biosphere Reserve.

Congratulations Johanna!

Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Västergötland, and Prince Daniel, Duke of Västragötaland, will spend three days in the region to get a close up experionece of the historic and modern Västergötland. On October 22^nd, they visit Mount Kinnekulle where they have requested information about the Biosphere Reserve. After they visit Kinnekulle they travel to Läckö Castle to watch the unveiling of the model of the visitor center Naturum Vänern-Victoria Hall.