Challenges and Solutions for Green Transition in Västmanland Västmanland County faces the challenge of adapting to and adopting the EU Green Deal and the Fit For 55 framework to drive the necessary green transition. In order to meet this need, a collective refurbishment of knowledge and skills within companies, municipalities, the Region and business-promoting actors is required. The EU Green Deal sets out an ambitious plan to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy with the goal of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Fit for 55 package is designed to operationalise the EU’s climate objectives through a series of legislative proposals covering everything from renewable energy to energy efficiency and carbon pricing. It represents a concrete action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote innovations that can benefit Västmanland through the development of green jobs and technologies. The project aims to raise and develop the skills of companies, organisations and officials to enable the green transition. This includes educational efforts in areas such as sustainable urban planning, circular economy, innovation for green transition and digital product passports. It also stresses the need to include social dimensions and to promote gender equality in the workplace. Challenges include technological modernisation, skills shortages and the need for coordinated action. SMEs need to upgrade their production methods and technologies to be sustainable and circular. At the same time, skills development is required to adapt to new working methods and technologies, which can be a challenge for companies and individuals who can be challenges based on both economy and ability to transition and learning Strategic leadership becomes crucial to navigate through these changes and enable a sustainable and competitive transition. Västmanland has a rich industrial history and a large part of the county's jobs and value added are linked to industry. The green transition largely targets industry, which means it is crucial to support companies in their transition to sustainable production methods. In this context, it is also important to note that the transition is not only about technology and the economy, but also about social dimensions and gender equality in the labour market. Including different groups and promoting a gender-equal working environment is key to creating a sustainable and inclusive transition. Business Plan Västmanland emphasises the importance of companies embracing and contributing with new solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, promote a circular economy and increased electrification. This requires both collaboration and innovation within the business sector. The project aims to meet the challenges through education and skills development that promotes the green transition in Västmanland, with a focus on supporting companies, organisations and officials in their adaptation to a sustainable and competitive future. The overall objective of the project is to raise the skills and knowledge of the employees of Västmanland's companies, business promoters, municipalities and Region, so that together they can better support the green transition that society is facing, in line with the EU Green Deal. The objectives of the project are: • The county has more individuals with knowledge that meets the needs of the labour market and is strengthened in the labour market linked to the green transition. • Individuals and actors in the county feel that they are in a better position to manage the green transition than before. • Participating actors have gained knowledge and inspiration about examples where a major transformation has interacted with equal and equal development work. In the long term, we aim to: • The position of individuals in companies in the labour market is strengthened (through knowledge and ability to contribute to a green transition). • Continued competitive industrial companies, capable of driving their green transition and contributing to a reduced climate footprint. • Organisations have knowledge that enables everyone to participate in the world of work, reduces discrimination in the labour market and/or leads to breaking a gender-segregated labour market. In addition, the ambition is for Västmanland County to become a prominent region where municipalities take active, insightful and courageous decisions in line with the green transition with a business sector that is transitioning to a sustainable, circular business sector.