Mathias Knutsson

 Yesterday, the  InVästmanland  project gathered municipal representatives and regional stakeholders for a seminar on  “Successful municipal and regional investment promotion.” The seminar opened with  Francisca Herodes , consultant with extensive international experience from Business Sweden, Ramböll and Mid Sweden’s Brussels office. Her presentation  “Business Establishment and Investment Promotion”  provided an inspiring overview of global trends and their implications for local efforts. Next,  Xavier Malmros Petirfrere,  from the City of Västerås shared key success factors behind Västerås’ strong position as one of Sweden’s most attractive locations for establishment and investment. His insights sparked great interest and highlighted lessons relevant for the entire Västmanland region. The seminar concluded with  group discussions , where participants identified opportunities and challenges to further strengthen our collaborative effo...

August 24 marks Ukraine’s Independence Day – a date that should be filled with pride, joy, and celebration. Yet for the third year in a row, it comes under the shadow of war, destruction, and unimaginable loss. What should be a national holiday has become a reminder of how fragile freedom truly is. In the face of Russia’s aggression, the Ukrainian people have shown extraordinary courage and resilience. Their struggle is not just about defending their borders – it is about protecting the values that bind us together as Europeans and as part of the democratic world: the right to self-determination, human dignity, and peace. For us, Ukraine’s fight must never feel distant. Their struggle is ours. On this day, let us remind ourselves that freedom comes at a cost – and that solidarity is more than words. It is political, military, economic, and humanitarian support. It is standing firm when it matters most. Ukraine’s Independence Day is not only their celebration. It is a call to all of us ...

Every now and then, a book comes along that doesn’t just entertain but quietly settles into your heart, refusing to leave. Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin is one of those rare novels. By the sea, flowers bloom, a story that whispers soft— love, loss, and healing. 🌸🌊📖 At its center is Violette Toussaint, a cemetery keeper in a small French village. On the surface, her days are marked by routine and silence. But behind her calm presence lies a life shaped by both profound loss and unexpected love. Perrin masterfully weaves past and present together, slowly unveiling Violette’s story and revealing a tale of heartbreak, resilience, and renewal. What makes this book extraordinary is not only the story itself but also the language. Perrin’s prose is luminous – poetic, vivid, and filled with imagery that elevates everyday details into something almost sacred. A cup of coffee, a flower, a fleeting glance – all become symbols of life’s fragility and its quiet beauty. Reading Fresh ...

The past week has been both rewarding and inspiring for us in the InVästmanland project. Together with my colleague Julia, I had the privilege of visiting several of our participating municipalities – Västerås, Surahammar, Hallstahammar, Norberg, and Kungsör. In each municipality, we engaged in meaningful discussions about key future issues, ranging from strategic business development to strengthening the overall attractiveness of the region. We are convinced that it is in close dialogue with the municipalities that we can find the most impactful solutions to strengthen Västmanland’s long-term competitiveness. Another highlight this week was welcoming our new colleague, Elias Chabe, who joined us on Monday. Elias will work with strategic establishment issues, further enhancing our capacity to attract and facilitate new business investments in the region. This week also marked the beginning of our major autumn initiative, featuring a wide range of activities and efforts to strengthen gr...

 I have followed the situation in Sudan with growing concern for years. As a father, a citizen, and someone who believes deeply in justice and human dignity, it is impossible for me to ignore the escalating violence, the suffering of civilians, and the enormous humanitarian needs. Today, SvD highlights the urgency of the crisis once again. The people of Sudan deserve more than headlines—they deserve decisive action from the international community. Standing with Sudan means combining diplomacy, humanitarian support, and accountability to protect lives, support those displaced, and pave the way for lasting peace. Diplomatic Pressure and Engagement We must strengthen the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Sudan to protect civilians and secure humanitarian access. Governments that arm warring parties or ignore human rights violations need to be held accountable. At the same time, diplomatic engagement with actors who can influence the conflict is crucial to promoting peaceful soluti...

Reading Arthur C. Brooks under a quiet Swedish sky… There’s something about summer that invites deeper reflection. Maybe it’s the slower pace, the stillness between responsibilities, or simply the luxury of time to think without interruption. This summer, I’ve found myself immersed in a book that speaks directly to that quiet inner space: From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks. It’s a rare kind of book – one that doesn’t offer quick fixes or flashy slogans, but rather presents a profound and uncomfortable truth: that the strength which brought us success in the first half of life is not the same strength that will sustain us in the second. Drawing on research in neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy, Brooks makes a compelling case for why we should not fear decline, but embrace transition. His central idea is this: our cognitive strengths change over time. The analytical, innovative energy that drives early-career success gives way – gradually, and then suddenly – to othe...

The best possible way to start the day ☀️ A morning run in glorious summer weather – with the best company I could ask for, my wonderful wife Diana. 💛 We ran through our beautiful hometown Västerås and finished the workout with a refreshing dip in the sparkling waters of Lake Mälaren. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️💦 Grateful for life, love, and summer. #västerås #morningrun #mälaren #together #bestcompany #swedishsummer Mathias Knutsson 

Just listened to Austria’s Eurovision entry “Wasted Love” by JJ – and I can’t stop thinking about it. His ethereal countertenor voice, blending pop with opera in a way that feels both timeless and contemporary, is simply breathtaking. Having lived in Vienna, I feel an even deeper connection – and honestly, this is the best Eurovision entry I’ve heard in many, many years . It’s rare that I want to hear a Eurovision song again and again – but this one? It lingers. It elevates. It’s something truly special. A heartbreak wrapped in velvet. 💔🎶 Vote for Austria 🇦🇹 on May 17th! “The kind of song that makes you believe in opera-pop heartbreak all over again.” Ich habe mir gerade Österreichs ESC-Beitrag „Wasted Love“ von JJ angehört – und ich komme nicht mehr davon los. Diese ätherische Kontertenor-Stimme, die Pop und Oper zu etwas Zeitlosem und gleichzeitig Modernem verbindet, ist einfach atemberaubend. Da ich einige Jahre in Wien gelebt habe, fühle ich mich dem Ganzen noch stä...

Last Friday, I had the privilege of presenting InVästmanland at an inspiring event for the county’s business and tourism directors. It was incredibly rewarding to meet all the dedicated stakeholders and discuss how we can work together to strengthen Västmanland. InVästmanland is an initiative aimed at coordinating and enhancing our collective ability to create even better conditions for entrepreneurship, investments, and business establishments in the region. A big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed with valuable insights and thoughtful input! I look forward to continued collaboration and the next steps in the project. Mathias Knutsson

I’m thrilled to share that on March 1st, I will be starting a new and exciting role as Project Manager for InVästmanland at Region Västmanland! Working with regional development, investment promotion, and business growth has always been a passion of mine. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in business development, sustainability, and strategic collaborations across the private and public sectors, as well as in academia and politics. Now, I am excited to apply that expertise to strengthen Västmanland’s attractiveness and competitiveness as a prime location for business establishments and investments. InVästmanland is an initiative designed to enhance the conditions for business expansion and investments in the region through collaboration between municipalities, the regional government, the private sector, and other stakeholders. My role will be to lead the project, develop strategies and tools, and establish long-term partnerships to make Västmanland an even stronger hu...