Smart inclusive communities
The project Smart inclusive communities strengthens the engagement and participation in the rural areas of Höga Kusten. Through support for local initiatives, young people's ideas, and joint development processes, better conditions are created for a more inclusive civil society where more can contribute to their village's future.
About the project
Smart inclusive rural areas are a board-owned project run by the Leader office that aims to strengthen community, participation, and social sustainability in the rural areas of Höga Kusten. Through various support, young people, associations, and local actors can receive help to implement ideas that make the villages more open, welcoming, and vibrant.
In many of our villages, there is a strong engagement and a strong desire to contribute — but sometimes resources, time, or support are lacking for ideas to become reality. Smart inclusive rural areas exist to change just that.
The project helps young people, associations, and local initiators to create activities, meeting places, and collaborations that make more feel included. This can involve everything from cultural events and intergenerational meetings to creative gatherings, investigations of local needs, or inclusive activities for children and young people.
We want more people, regardless of background, age, or life situation, to feel that they have a place in the village. Therefore, the project offers three different types of support that make it easier to realize ideas that strengthen the community:
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Support for local investigations – to investigate what is needed in a place and develop action plans for the future.
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Support for associations and the civil society – for activities that create meetings, build relationships, and make it easier for more to participate.
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Support for young people – especially for young people who want to influence their village and create something of their own.
Together with local actors, municipalities, and engaged residents, we want to create more safe, inclusive, and vibrant places in Höga Kusten. We also want to contribute to new collaborations, new working methods, and long-term change that ensures development continues even after the project period.
Do you have an idea that can make your village more inclusive? We help you take the next step.
Three parts – this is how we work
Local investigations
Investigations are carried out on behalf of the project in collaboration with local actors. They map needs, resources, and opportunities and lead to concrete action plans for inclusion and participation in the villages.
Check out our ongoing investigations
Inclusive activities – activities that build community
Associations can receive funding for activities that strengthen social sustainability, meeting places, inclusion, and participation. The activities are part of the project's implementation, not separate projects.
Check out our inclusive activities
Read more about the project here
Young initiatives – young people as community builders
Young people up to 25 years old can have the opportunity to carry out activities, events, or initiatives that strengthen community, safety, and diversity in their villages. The Leader office coaches and supports throughout the entire process.
Inclusion – what do we mean?
Inclusion is about creating places and activities where everyone feels welcome – regardless of age, background, language, economy, or experience.
But it is also about why we do it.
When more people have the opportunity to participate, influence, and contribute, it creates:
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meaning – people feel needed, seen, and important to their community
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engagement – more want to be involved in shaping the place where they live
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new ideas and perspectives – development that would not have occurred otherwise
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stronger relationships and trust – important for a safe and vibrant society
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sustainability – activities and meeting places gain the strength to continue over time
Inclusion is therefore not just about opening the door for more – but about building communities where people want to stay, contribute, and grow together.
The project aims to make it easier for more to participate on their own terms – thereby strengthening both the community and the future in our rural areas.
Ongoing
Investigations
Southern Härnön – An inclusive, accessible, attractive, and vibrant locality in Härnösand
Investigating how the community can work more inclusively by identifying needs, strengthening dialogue, and laying the foundation for future development efforts in the area.
About the project
Project owner: Skärsviken
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Preliminary study for the development of Nordingrå Makerspace
Investigating how an inclusive makerspace in Nordingrå can be developed as a meeting place for youth and creative industries and serve as the basis for a larger initiative. .
About the project
Project owner: The Nordingrå gaming foundation
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Sports as an integration arena
Conducting a preliminary study to investigate how international perspectives and inclusive working methods can strengthen participation in the local community. .
About the project
Project owner: UN Association
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Lively courtyards where people socialize
Conducted a preliminary study and practical workshops to develop more inclusive and lively courtyards that strengthen the community among residents.
About the project
Project owner: Älvtorpet housing
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Together for Långsele
Investigating needs and conditions to create an inclusive multi-hall as a meeting place for children, youth, and other groups that today stand outside local contexts.
About the project
Project owner: Långsele interest association
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
The Coast Administration – an inclusive platform for creative businesses in Örnsköldsvik municipality
Conducted a preliminary study to investigate the possibility of creating an inclusive platform and meeting place for creative businesses in Örnsköldsvik. .
About the project
Project owner: The Innovation Company
Municipality: Ornskoldsvik
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
A more attractive Husum
Investigating how more – especially newly arrived, foreign-born, and people aged 30–45 – can be engaged in local development to strengthen the attractiveness of Husum.
About the project
Project owner: Grundsunda future group
Municipality: Ornskoldsvik
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Preparedness and old wisdom
Investigating conditions to develop a larger project around local preparedness, where older knowledge, food production, and practical workshops are used to strengthen community, knowledge, and self-sufficiency. The investigation will map needs, resources, and interest among residents and local actors to form the basis for a future project application.
About the project
Project owner: Minna Consulting AB
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Inclusive activities
Swimming school in Hälledal's swimming hall
Starting a swimming school in Ramvik and adapting the pool with a special platform so that even younger children can safely participate.
About the project
Project owner: Härnösand Swimming Society
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Establishing a dock as a gathering place
Renovating and making the dock in Prästmon accessible to create a safe and inclusive meeting place by the river.
About the project
Project owner: Torsåker's local heritage association
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
An attractive illuminated trail
Developing the illuminated trail into an inclusive meeting place with training, activities, and social events for all ages.
About the project
Project owner: Resele IF
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Creative workshop for children
Conducting four free creative meetings for children and youth that conclude with a vernissage to strengthen participation and community.
About the project
Project owner: Karin Efraim
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Lively meeting place in Aspnäs
Creating an inclusive meeting place with a new tent cabin and an annual wheel of activities, including an international festival that strengthens community in the village.
About the project
Project owner: Aspnäs community center
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Generational meeting place in Bjästa
Starting a cross-generational meeting place with regular activities to reduce loneliness and exclusion in the community.
About the project
Project owner: Bjästa community association
Municipality: Ornskoldsvik
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Kramfors LAN
Conducting an inclusive LAN event in Kramfors with gaming, workshops, and social activities to create community and participation among youth, especially newly arrived, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and underrepresented groups.
About the project
Project owner: Unity for community
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Meeting place Arken
Creating an open and safe meeting place with targeted meetings for youth, day-off workers, and parental leave individuals as a foundation for long-term community.
About the project
Project owner: Pentecostal Congregation Sollefteå
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Pumptrack Ullånger
Builds a pumptrack track for children and youth to start being able to ride BMX. This is a preview of a larger investment to build a full-scale BMX track in Ullånger
About the project
Project owner: SUIF, Salsåker Ullånger IF
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 50,000 SEK
Young initiatives
Boda borg, play and fun
Conducts a joint trip to strengthen community and inclusion among children and youth in the village, focusing on including all young people in the village who otherwise do not participate.
About the project
Project owner: Styrnäs future
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Living Högslätten
Conducts a joint trip to strengthen community and inclusion among children and youth in the village, focusing on including all young people in the village who otherwise do not participate.
About the project
Project owner: AIK hockey
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Young in the stable – We open the door
Invites new target groups to the stable through open free horse meetings ”try it out” to make the riding activities more inclusive and accessible for more young people.
About the project
Project owner: Härnösand Riding Club
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
SMF's youth initiative
Organizes car meetings and wrench evenings for young people up to 25 years old to create a safe and inclusive meeting place around motor interests.
About the project
Project owner: SMF Sollefteå
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Jump together – focus on togetherness and activity
Conducts joint activities, trips, and obstacle constructions where young people are involved to strengthen togetherness and inclusion in the association.
About the project
Project owner: Västernorrland's rabbit jumpers
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Food without electricity using old methods
Creates an inclusive meeting place where young people and others in the community learn traditional methods for preserving food and builds community across generations.
About the project
Project owner: LRF Västernorrland
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Nordingrå Culture Festival
Organizes a summer festival with concerts, courses, and children's activities to create an inclusive cultural meeting place for all ages.
About the project
Project owner: Nordingrå Parish Heritage Association
Municipality: Kramfors
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Resele IF's Youth Section
Arranges try-out activities and participates in the village's events so that more young people feel a sense of belonging and engagement in the community.
About the project
Project owner: Resele IF
Municipality: Sollefteå
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Gathering on the beach
Establishes a volleyball court at the bathing area to create an open and inclusive meeting place for young people in the village.
About the project
Project owner: Skärsvikens Community Association
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
ÖMK Motorcamp – Folk racing camp
Organizes a camp where young people have the opportunity to try driving folk racing
About the project
Project owner: Örnsköldsvik MK folk racing
Municipality: Ornskoldsvik
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Youth climbing cliff
Establishes new climbing routes in Härnösand so that more young people can try outdoor climbing
About the project
Project owner: Härnösand Climbing Club
Municipality: Harnosand
Leader support: 30,000 SEK
Project time
2025-2027
Project owner
Leader High Coast
Project manager
Lisa Bloom
070-266 24 24
lisa@leaderhogakusten.se
About the project
The project is part of Leader Höga Kusten's focus area ”an engaged and inclusive community." This focuses on projects that create places where more people feel involved, included, and engaged.
About funding
Granted leader support
2,242,831 kronor
Funds for initiatives
4,040,000 kronor
The Leader support consists of funding from the EU, the state, and Höga Kusten's four municipalities
