Gothenburg politicians plan to phase out private providers for daily activities

Representatives of private activity providers in Gothenburg, Sweden, are criticizing a plan by red-green politicians to replace private providers with municipal activities.

The critics argue that the proposal threatens the stability of daily routines for people with disabilities who rely on these services for social contact and personal development. The current system includes 16 approved private providers in the city. These organizations serve 656 participants, which accounts for about one third of all people using daily activity services in Gothenburg.

Critics point out that the city currently faces a waiting list of over 120 people for these spots, and demand for services is expected to rise. The proposed policy aims to restrict contracts to non-profit providers. Representatives of private companies, such as TSM AB Munkhuset and Move & Walk Sverige AB, argue that switching business models takes significant time. They note that private actors must navigate a permit process that currently takes nearly a year to complete.

The critics question how the city can ensure continuity for participants if providers are forced to close or fail to transition in time. The representatives of these businesses plan to invite all parties in the city council to a meeting to demand answers. They want to know how the city will guarantee the safety and continuity of services for the 656 participants.

They argue that excluding functional providers based on their corporate structure does not improve care and may harm the trust built between staff and participants.