An academic contribution for the urgent work of sustainable development is to detect and analyze important factors of successful work for sustainability. This study explores the factors of social processes behind Sweden´s largest biosphere reserve, a model area for sustainable development, Nedre Dalälven River Landscape. The aim is to study underlying incentives in the establishment of a biosphere reserve to detect critical social factors in the initial work for sustainable development. Critical discourse analysis will serve as a theoretical point of departure but also as an analytical method since it connects external circumstances with individual perspectives. The data was collected through individual interviews, a group interview, participatory observations and document readings. Social negotiations in this study refer to individual needs, people´s relations as well as needs that concern organizational business relations. Information is collected as a combination of written sources, such as official documents and local papers articles, semi-structured interviews of individuals and a group interview. The result showed that the driving force behind becoming a biosphere, the local association NeDa, was important for the fellowship. NeDa was understood as public good and as working for the best of the community. The biosphere reserve was perceived as a confirmation of the capabilities of local people. The meaning of sustainable development was filled with local matters which enabled a biosphere reserve well established in the area. In conclusion, underlying social negotiations are critical for sustainable development locally.