En idrottspolitik i rörelse!? : Så formar Linköpings kommun framtidens idrott genom planering, samverkan och visionsarbete

The aim of this study is to explore how municipal sports policy is formulated and motivated in policy documents in the city of Linköping, and how this policy is understood and implemented by key civil servants. The study is based on a qualitative research design combining document analysis with interviews with municipal officials. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory is used to analyze the multiple levels of influence shaping sports policy, while a hermeneutic approach and policy analysis inspired by Piggin (2019) highlight discursive patterns and normative assumptions. The findings reveal that the municipality emphasizes inclusion, gender equality, and societal benefit in its sports policy, yet these concepts are often used normatively and lack concrete definitions. The study also shows how civil servants navigate a complex field of political goals, practical constraints, and local needs. Notably, sport is predominantly framed as a means to other societal objectives rather than as a goal in itself. This study contributes to the understanding of how local sports policy is shaped and the underlying values and rationalities that inform this process. The findings are relevant to researchers and policymakers interested in the societal role of sport.