Local agenda 21 in practice - a Swedish example

A part of a local Agenda 21 project aiming at reducing the nutrient supply into a Swedish Baltic Sea fjord is analysed. The reduction is to be carried out in a way that permits and facilitates the re-use of the nutrients as fertilizers. This article is focused on how to implement the project and on how to increase public participation, especially that of farmers and owners of single sewage treatment systems. Increased public participation needs continuous efforts by the project leaders. Individual as well as group actions, formation of small groups, information, feedback and continuous encouragement are crucial. The homogenous group of farmers considers the management of natural resources to be very important. They have voluntarily formed five watercourse groups, where community management is developed. The owners of single sewage treatment systems form a heterogeneous group. They are mostly interested in individual measures. Constant changes of the prerequisites of sewage systems and lack of knowledge are other obstacles against carrying out voluntary measures.