In this paper we reflect on the nature and affects of recipe(s) for community engagement activities used
by Swedish kommuns (local governments). From interviews at kommuns in 2007 and 2008 it does not
appear to be anything remotely close to one recipe for community engagement - we find a smorgasbord of
interesting and tempting recipes. Each initiative has a very different form and substance. This variation is
not necessarily as a result of different levels of resourcing or varying amounts of expertise in a relatively
new field, but occurs since each kommun has a fundamentally different set of objectives for the
engagement project.