The Center for Security and Resilience at the Stockholm School of Economics and Nynäshamn Municipality have signed a Letter of Intent following a series of discussions held during autumn 2025 and spring 2026 on how municipalities, academia, public agencies, and private industry can work together to strengthen local preparedness and resilience.

“Nynäshamn has a crucial role in Swedish national defense from both a national and NATO perspective,” says professor Martin Carlsson Wall, director for Center for Security and Resilience. “However,” he continues, “for the people living in Nynäshamn there is also a maybe even more pressing need of securing societal functionality in times of crises and war. This creates a very interesting dual-mission for the municipality.”

Under the agreement, the parties will jointly explore opportunities for expanded cooperation together with additional municipalities, government agencies, and private-sector actors. The Center for Security and Resilience will contribute expertise in research, education, and evidence-based organizational development within three primary areas: governance and financial management, supply chains and logistics resilience, and innovation and business model development.

Municipalities critical to societal resilience

Nynäshamn Municipality will contribute operational municipal expertise, local networks, and personnel resources connected to preparedness and resilience work at the local level.

“Given our geographical location here in Nynäshamn, security has long been a high priority. But we also know that no one stands strongest alone. I am therefore very pleased that we have entered into this agreement with the Stockholm School of Economics to strengthen our collective preparedness together, not only in Nynäshamn, but across Sweden,” says Marcus Svinhufvud (M), Chair of the Municipal Executive Board.

Staffan Holmberg, Executive Director at the Center for Security and Resilience, concludes: “Municipalities play a critical role in societal resilience, and long-term cooperation across sectors will be essential. This collaboration reflects the growing need to connect academic knowledge with operational municipal capability in the development of Sweden’s total defense.”

During the exploratory phase, each party will cover its own costs while jointly identifying additional partners and potential financing for future collaboration.

The cooperation will be guided by the Stockholm School of Economics’ 360° model for academic engagement, designed to ensure close collaboration and shared value creation between academia and society. The initiative aims to strengthen municipal preparedness by integrating research, operational experience, and innovation into practical resilience development.