Länsstyrelsen Östergötland is the national government representative office in the county of Östergötland and as such constitutes an important link between people and the county’s municipalities on the one hand, and government and central authorities on the other. Länsstyrelsen is responsible for a broad range of issues mainly concerning the environment, nature, the business community, social development, animal protection, gender equality, integration, transport, infrastructure and housing. 
Additionally, the representative office holds the task of ensuring that the county’s citizens receive the level of service the government has decided on, that municipalities and companies comply with the laws and regulations and that nationwide objectives adopted by the government are achieved.
Vadstena municipality is one of the most culturally rich municipalities, not only in the county of Östergötland but in Sweden as well. With impressive architecture and cultural heritage characterizing the very centre of the city, there is a lot to experience and to be amazed by.
The geographical areas in which we concentrate our activities are highly identified by their heritage, as the medieval town of Vadstena, where most of the city centre, comprised by cultural heritage, is the essential target area for the county of Östergötland’s work in the SHARE project.
The municipality's work on infrastructure and housing construction is to a great extent based on the knowledge of cultural heritage and the opportunities and obstacles the cultural heritage represents. There is a great need to give culture and cultural creation space, although conditions vary between locations and social groups. It is a regional task to create a cultural infrastructure that allows culture to exist as a resource in the local life. 
Marketing of a location differs significantly from marketing of a product. A town or city has to offer a variety of cultural diversity to suit many different tastes, preferences and life stages. The diversity is an asset and strength, but it is challenging for the marketers to select and focus on assets that will enhance the site’s unique profile. Knowledge of the cultural heritage is in this context of immense importance and significance. Our mission is to increase and pass on this knowledge to the general public and thus provide the local people and the local entrepreneurs the opportunity to utilize and identify themselves with their cultural heritage. Improved guiding instruments, clearer
recommendations regarding e.g. maintenance of the cultural heritage sites to stakeholders on regional and local level and improved accessibility, will affect the valuable cultural heritage in the region that is essential to preserve for the future in a highly positive way.
