A delegation of state, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County officials will jet off to Sweden on Saturday to learn about environmental research, review electric ferries and meet with Swedish leaders.

Here’s what we know about the trip so far.

The 17-person delegation is comprised of representatives from the state departments of commerce and natural resources, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, and the Resilience Authority. There will be stops in Stockholm and Gothenburg before the officials return Oct. 5.

The weeklong trip is funded by $75,000 in private donations to the Resilience Authority from the MHE and Denker foundations, the latter of which donated $25,000 toward the overall cost, according to Patrick Denker, whose father started the foundation. The donations “fully support” travel, accommodations and events associated with the trip. Both trip sponsors will travel to Sweden.

In a phone call Tuesday afternoon, Denker said he did not have ties to the regional electric ferry system the delegation plans to visit or to any of the government and business leaders the delegation will meet.

The MHE Foundation did not respond to a request for comment.

Capital Gazette reporter Natalie Jones also will join the delegation and sponsors in Sweden.

Why Sweden?

Sweden is “a leader in combining sustainability with human well-being” both in science and action, Matt Fleming, executive director of the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, said in an email Sept. 13. The country is “leading the way” on “climate-smart cities” and redeveloping old industrial areas as “efficient low-energy affordable housing connected with electric public transportation,” he said.

There’s also no better model for eco-friendly and efficient transportation, Fleming said in an email Monday night. Before the end of the decade, Sweden aims to achieve a fossil-free transportation sector through public transport, vehicles and supporting infrastructure — including electric ferries.

Maryland, Anne Arundel County and Sweden are all defined by maritime culture, coastal economies and high housing demand, Fleming said, which gives the delegation the chance to connect with Swedish leaders on sustainable urban design, funding and climate neutral building and transportation systems.

Why now?

The delegation’s trip to Sweden comes nearly a year after Annapolis officials traveled to the Netherlands to study efforts to combat climate change, including flood resilience.

Initial planning for the trip to Sweden began “soon after” the study tour to the Netherlands, with Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley making initial outreach in support of the trip, Fleming said.

Federal funding to support marine transportation in and around the region — Anne Arundel County received nearly $3.9 million to purchase electric ferries last week— was also a driver for the trip.

“With federal funding and state and local leadership on these issues, we are in a historic moment in this region. At the same time we are in an era in which the pace, scale and impact of change is greater than anything we have previously confronted,” he wrote in an email. “To ensure that the pace of intensifying change does not outstrip our efforts, now is the time to double down on areas of progress, coordination and innovation across all levels of government.”

Why are so many people going?

Each jurisdiction selected its representatives to join the trip to Sweden, Fleming said. But why so many?

Fleming, who came to the county after a stint at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as assistant secretary for aquatic resources, said in his 25 years with the department the annual coastal states study tours made the biggest impact on him.

Every year, members of the department would travel to a different state to learn about different challenges being faced in other parts of the country. Seeing what was successful in other places inspired action, he said.

“Firsthand experiences offer practical insights, foster collaboration, and build momentum for action in ways that written reports or hearing about it alone cannot,” Fleming said Monday night.

What will the delegation do?

In Sweden’s capital city, the delegation will visit the Stockholm Environmental Institute to learn about sustainable cities and tour an electric passenger ferry factory, among other site visits and meetings with government leaders, according to a draft agenda shared with the Capital Gazette.

The delegation also plans to spend time in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, to meet with government officials and learn about climate-neutral construction, electric charging of leisure boats, ferry planning and other types of transportation.

Who the delegation will meet with was determined in partnership with officials from the Swedish Embassy, Fleming said. Delegation members also offered suggestions on which businesses to visit.

While each day’s activities are confirmed, the timing and locations of some appointments and site visits were not disclosed to The Sun when asked.

Who will be in charge in Anne Arundel County?

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, one of the elected officials joining the trip, will still be working while in Sweden and communicating with county department leaders, according to Renesha Alphonso, a county spokesperson. Greg Swain, the county attorney, will be acting county executive while Pittman is out of the country.

A spokesperson for the city of Annapolis did not respond to a phone call seeking comment on continuity of operations while Buckley is in Sweden.

Here are the additional questions The Sun and Capital Gazette asked but which organizers declined to answer:

1. Was there a selection process or did these individuals choose to attend? 2. Could this trip not be done with fewer people or even remotely via video? 3. What is the total estimated cost of this trip? 4. Are any taxpayer dollars being used to fund this trip? 5. Did the delegation ask these foundations for funding or did they offer funding via grants? 6. How did the MHE and Denker foundations get involved? 7. While this delegation of state, county and City of Annapolis officials is overseas, who will be in charge of things at home in their absence? 8. What is required in return for this trip?

Do you have questions or comments about the officials’ trip to Sweden? Reach out to Capital Gazette reporter Natalie Jones at najones@baltsun.com.