Name of the project / activity:

“Förädlingsmackapären” 2018 – 2020 –  a method for regional development based on a perspective taken directly from residents in rural areas.

Origin of the project / activity (country, town, etc.):

The County of Gävleborg, Sweden, project manager: Rural Sweden – All Sweden shall live in Gävleborg.

Please try to define max. three catchwords that describe your project / activity:

The project uses an effective working method 1.   where the participants feel safe and involved with the process and recognizes themselves in the final document.2.  where a common vision for the entire village is created, including local development areas.3.         which leads to a document intended to be used as a hub in the continued local development. The Final Local Development Plan tells us that it is the whole village, not just a small group of enthusiasts from one association, that is behind an application to finance further development. It can/will also be used by the municipality or other authorities when they work with issues related to the district that is described.

Specific target group? For whom is the project / activity designed:

Everyone who lives in the countryside in Gävleborg County

What is the project about? Short but precise description of the local project / activity:

To form 37 local development plans in 37 different local associations/groups around the County. It contains a general text and pictures that deals with history how society looks today, what kind of service that is available and what is missing, culture, associations etc. It also include future possibilities for the village and some statistics.                                                                                                         A local development plan must be developed by and for the locations that join. The groups that produce a plan will then receive support to implement it in order to create local development in form of more committed inhabitants, new jobs, networks and activities based on what the local residents themselves prioritize to.

Is there anything that needs to be considered if the project / activity is to be copied to another rural area (good practice experience, things that went wrong, etc.):

Development takes time and must do so – it is the non-profit commitment that the project is aimed at, so it is not possible to force results in a short time. The result that may come in the form of, for example, new jobs may not be visible until one or two years ahead. In places/areas where you collaborate with municipalities and authorities will have greater impact with their developed LUPs. The project has started to enter local schools to process development areas engaging/including (based on) the village’s children / young people = reach a new target group as the children / young people and their parents / grandparents has also become engaged.

Are there more sources available for additional information (website, e-mail-contact, etc.)?:

Project leader Helena Näslund +4670-281 42 92 helena.naslund@helasverige.se https://helasverige.se/gaevleborgs-laen-x-ing/

“Förädlingsmackapären” 2018 – 2020 – a method for regional development based on a perspective taken directly from residents in rural areas.