“Open City” provides digital guide to break isolation

In Sweden, an estimated 200,000 people have a cognitive disability, and by 2050 that number is expected to double. Karlstad Municipality had for many years been looking for a solution to support this target group, but without finding a service that truly matched the need.

– There were no applications of this kind that could help the target group become more independent. We could not have procured this type of solution in a traditional way. To bring about this kind of innovation, a different approach is needed, says Ann-Sophie Gustafsson, Development Manager at the Health and Social Care Administration in Karlstad Municipality.

The municipality therefore turned to Demand Acceleration to find a solution. The framework has been developed within DigitalWell Arena and enables the public sector to integrate public procurement with innovation, where tailored solutions that respond to real needs can be developed in collaboration with multiple companies.

Tailored user guides

The end product was an entirely new digital service, “Open City,” initially targeting people with cognitive challenges. The purpose of the service is to enable them to more independently access the city’s offerings – restaurants, culture, activities, associations, and more. The app is a digital companion that helps users find suitable places and contains user-friendly guides for navigating the city. Initially, around ten activities and places are available to users, with the number expected to grow quickly.

Karlstad Municipality has been a pioneer in developing the Demand Acceleration framework, and has now applied the framework in a procurement for the second time. The first procurement in 2022 resulted in a VR service (ViroteaEd) that trains care staff in meeting people with cognitive impairment, and has already spread to many other municipalities.

Innovation as a tool for addressing societal challenges

Stefan Jonsson (S), Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee in Karlstad Municipality, was present at the launch. He sees “Open City” as a good example of how innovation can help address societal challenges – not least in a context of demographic challenges, where both the proportion of elderly people and people with cognitive difficulties is increasing.

– We need to work smarter with the resources we have – that is, our staff. Through this technology, we enable people to more independently access the city’s experiences, allowing us to focus staff resources where the needs are greatest, says Stefan Jonsson.

An administration that contributes to new thinking

That Karlstad is leading the way in this development is naturally something he is pleased about:

– I am proud of an administration that is forward-thinking and, through this approach, joins forces with the private sector. Together we strengthen each other to create a product that enables people to feel greater independence, creating a more inclusive city for everyone.

Carolin Maule, Innovation Manager at DigitalWell Arena, has served as an intermediary in the procurement of “Open City” and both believes and hopes that the service will spread to more municipalities.

– With the launch of Open City, Karlstad is showing the way for how technology can improve quality of life for people with cognitive challenges. Together with We Know It, the company that developed the solution, they have done a fantastic job – and hopefully the service will be able to spread nationally.