7.2 Consultation and Implementation

The implementation of the plan relies on broad community participation, including associations, organizations, businesses, and institutions. The local councils in East Iceland collaborate through their platform, the Association of Local Authorities in East Iceland (SSA), where priorities are set, particularly during the association’s autumn meetings. Additionally, the consultation group for East Iceland’s regional development plan and the stakeholders’ meetings organized by Austurbrú can be convened to discuss the implementation of the regional plan. These groups include representatives from various industries, public institutions, and different associations and organizations. It is important to expand and strengthen these consultation platforms once the regional plan is in effect, ensuring that all community stakeholders can engage in discussions about implementing the strategy and its detailed execution. This could be done, for example, by establishing committees for specific policy areas of the regional plan and expert groups for individual projects.

Ensuring good access to the plan is crucial for its implementation. The presentation needs to be clear, and the communication efficient and diverse, to reach a wide audience, including children and young people. The Regional Planning Committee should also encourage using the plan’s materials in all projects by municipalities and their support institutions that are directly or indirectly related to its policy areas.

Statistical data and the status of action plans should be regularly updated so that stakeholders can make informed strategic decisions regarding their activities based on the plan.

Furthermore, it is essential to engage in consultation beyond the region when appropriate, for example, with other regional associations and the government’s steering group on regional development. The strategy and issues of the regional plan should be communicated to their working groups and committees, in governmental forums, dealing with specific matters.

Objectives that require implementation through national policies and plans of state institutions will be pursued in the consultation and feedback process regarding those policies and in other ways as deemed necessary. Examples of such plans include:

• Regional Development Plan
• Health Policy
• Landsnet System Plan on electricity transmission
• National Planning Strategy
• National Plan for Infrastructure Development for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage
• Cultural Policy
• Transport Plan
• Management and Conservation Plan for Vatnajökull National Park