Strategy
We work to make our area feel attractive – orregardless of whether you have lived here for a long time, are newly moved in, or are visiting. In Western Småland, there should be something for everyone! To make this possible, we have developed a strategy, with goals for our area.
Our strategy 2023-2027
We have based our work on our area, and our local needs and opportunities, when developing our strategy for the period 2023-2027. The foundation is that it should be possible for people to develop, support themselves, and have a meaningful leisure time in Western Småland. We want more people to be part of the community that exists here and feel involved in the development of our rural areas. We want to see new businesses, services, and products with long-term sustainability and circularity in focus. We also want to see new networks and collaborations where it is possible to learn from each other.
All projects that receive support from us contribute to fulfilling the goals of the strategy. We have developed four different project supports that can be applied for with us, each representing a goal from our strategy. It is also possible to apply for support for feasibility studies that fit into one of the project supports below.
Attractiveness, quality of life
and participation
In Western Småland, there should be something for everyone – young and old, born here or born abroad, those with deep roots or those who are completely newly moved in. There should also be a community that everyone has access to. Associations, businesses, and other organizations can contribute to this!
We want to see projects that can increase the supply in culture, nature, leisure activities, tourist destinations, community life, meeting places, or services.
We follow up and measure:
- New leisure activities, cultural activities, and meeting places
- New tourist destinations
- Preservation of leisure and cultural activities
- Preserved meeting places
- Restored natural and cultural environments
.
Entrepreneurship
We want to support projects that contribute to new businesses, products, and services. That people can support themselves is a prerequisite for living in our rural areas, and we want to see projects that can contribute to new job opportunities.
In our area, there is a clear entrepreneurial spirit, but there is also development potential. Diversifying a business means broadening its operations and gaining new legs to stand on. We also want to see a development where circularity and long-term sustainability permeate both existing and new products and services.
We follow up and measure:
- New businesses, products, and services
- Diversified businesses
- Growth and employment in rural areas
- Development of the economy in rural areas
Long-term sustainable development and climate focus
In our area, we need increased knowledge about sustainable solutions and climate-smart alternatives. This is particularly important for our resilience, that is, our preparedness and ability to adapt to climate change or other crises. We want to see project ideas such as preparedness in food production, circular solutions, biodiversity, climate-smart transport solutions, climate-smart food production, work against invasive species, reduced food waste, protection of pollinators and meadows and wetlands, and sustainable forestry. It is a broad field where we welcome new ideas – big and small.
We follow up and measure:
- Organizations that implement measures for reduced climate impact
- New solutions to environmental and climate problems
Knowledge, inspiration and networks
Do you have an idea that can contribute to increased knowledge or new networks? We want the skills and resources in our area to be used in a better way, and believe that increased knowledge is the way there. This applies to networks both locally and regionally, nationally, and within the EU. We want to see projects that, for example, organize study circles, events, shorter training sessions, theme days, lectures, study visits, and study trips, etc.
We follow up and measure:
- New networks and collaborations
- Training opportunities
- Expanded networks
Selection criteria
When our board assesses project applications, they use selection criteria. These vary for different types of project support. If you want to know exactly what the board looks at, you can download the selection criteria below.
