Mapping sustainable consumption practices in Gothenburg



Policy type

Unleash the potential of citizens and social economy organizations

Sector focus

Consumer goods

Circular principle

Enable openness and participation


To help achieve its greenhouse gas targets, Gothenburg chose to set challenging goals for reducing consumption-based emissions. Recognising citizens needed to have alternative choices to buying and owning if it was to achieve these goals, the city enshrined enabling the sharing economy into its budget. It also determined to make the most of the civil society initiatives popping up around the city that were proving the efficacy and popularity of collaborative services based on circular principles and trust.



Gothenburg has been inspired by the global collaborative movement and local grassroots initiatives to encourage residents to live in a more sustainable way. Its smart mapping tool, which shows where residents can find things to hire, borrow, share and swap, is helping to change behaviour, reduce emissions and inspire new services.

The Collaborative Economy Gothenburg (KEG), a voluntary group that was galvanising and coordinating citizen action, shared the city’s ambitions. Together, they created a simple Google map showing all the options for collaborating and sharing available in Gothenburg. When a survey showed residents were positive about sharing in principle but lacked knowledge about how to do it in practice, the importance of the map grew. It was agreed that financial and IT help would make it more attractive and user friendly.

The map’s search functionality is very flexible, allowing users to search for initiatives by name, sector or activity. Visitors to the site can also simply browse and be inspired by ideas such as growing vegetables in a neighbour’s garden, hiring electrical and sports equipment from the public library, taking electronic gadgets to a repair café, swapping clothes or renting the latest fashions, learning how to mend things with 3D printing and sharing skills, leftover food, spare rooms, workspaces or cars.



Collaborative Economy Gothenburg (KEG)

City of Gothenburg



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