Creative countryside Södermanland
Networking meeting March 26!
Theme: Culture & Collaboration
On March 26, we invite you to a networking meeting for cultural actors, associations and rural developers in Sörmland and Stockholm counties.
WHEN: March 26th at 3-7:30 PM
WHERE: Hälleforsnäs mill
Sign up here
We need your registration no later than March 15th.
✔️Network with other cultural actors, associations and developers in Sörmland
✔️ Be inspired of creative networks and collaborations: “Not Quite”, “Kreativa Aktörer Skaraborg” & “Art Lab Gnesta”
✔️ Time for dialogue, meetings and conversations
Who will come?
The networking event is aimed at professionals in the creative industries, but also non-profits active in the creative and cultural fields. Also to those of you who work municipally or regionally to support and develop cultural activities, and to those of you who are active in rural development, business development or the tourism industry.
In our work, we always target those active in rural areas and small towns within the Leader Sörmland Coast and Leader Södermanland areas - i.e. entire Sörmland County + parts of Stockholm County (except the larger cities…).
We work in the following municipalities/districts: Flen, Katrineholm, Vingåker, Eskilstuna, Strängnäs, Gnesta, Nykvarn, Rönninge, Grödinge, Södertälje, Trosa, Oxelösund & Nyköping.
CURRENT:
The projects that received support in our initiative in the creative and cultural industries have now been completed. Below you can read about the 10 that were granted support.
Project: The Road of All Times; Strängnäs-Eskilstuna
The purpose of the project was to make a geographical journey between the two cities of Strängsnäs and Eskilstina by identifying historically interesting places by producing a map with 25 tourist attractions.
Project: The desk drawer, Strängnäs
The project was about encouraging and providing stage space for unestablished local singer-songwriters. with the goal that four songwriters would be allowed to perform at Stallarholmen's Visdagar "Lokala Timmen" and the autumn's Pianobarer.
Project: Uvberget clay trail, Katrineholm
Project: The workshop
During the autumn, 9 meetings were arranged with different themes such as silver, leather, wood, textiles, etc. at Mellösaverken. The target group was everyone in the area who wanted to learn more about how to prepare and care for different materials. The supervisor was an expert in the different materials.
Project: Summer Theater for Children, Vingåker
Summer theater for children.
Creating the performance The Storm on Vingåker Folkets Park's newly renovated outdoor stage was the goal of this project where professional actors built the stage show together with young people from the town.
Project: Jazz and Ice Cream Festival, Flen
On August 9, the Jazz and Ice Cream Festival attracted many music enthusiasts of all ages to Thuleparken in Flen. Out of a total of 8 concerts, 5 were arranged by Sörmland's various jazz clubs, including Karin Hammar Fab4 in the picture above. Support from the umbrella project Kreativa Landsbygder made it possible.
Project: Nature Culture Wilderness Camp, Flen
During the summer, work began in Sörmland to build a meeting place, a wilderness camp for culture, crafts and nature enthusiasts. This is where non-profit associations, cultural actors, projects and schools that want to create cultural encounters in nature can be.
Project: ”"From clay disco to sculpture park", Gnesta
On June 28, the residents of Stjärnhov got to participate in an unusual physical activity: a clay disco! In the dance, the Sörmland clay was processed into soft and malleable clay, which could then be used for the next activity, which was to create sculptures at Dammhagen's IP under the leadership of artists Linda Karlsson and Carl Peter Holk.
Project: ”Future Forum Stallarholmen”, Strängnäs
On May 31, the residents of Stallarholmen were invited to participate in a workshop on Stallarholmsdagen where they explored together how the future of Stallarholmen could taste, sound and feel. A couple of weeks before the workshop, several hundred children participated in a pre-workshop, pictured above.
Project: ”Children's Sustainability Day - part of Naturnod Viala.
First out of our 10 granted projects was the Children's Sustainability Day outside Vingåker where local artists Johanna Bolin, and Britt Marie Järnström mapped a Nature Node on the property Vingåker Viala 2:14 and made a plan for how they can integrate art into the site. On the Children's Sustainability Day on May 24, they also conducted a workshop in scrap sculpture together with the children pictured above.
CALENDAR
21 projects around Sörmland
In the project "Creative Rural Areas", a total of 21 sub-projects will be implemented in 2025 that strengthen and develop creative and artistic initiatives in rural areas and small towns in Sörmland. These include festivals, theater performances, dance, art trips, etc.
In the picture some of the project managers, artists, musicians, actors and process managers who carry out the 21 projects in Creative Rural Areas. In order to gain inspiration, exchange experiences and build networks, the project has arranged three seminars in 2025 for everyone who has been granted support. The first took place at Hälleforsnäs Bruk in April. The second at Stjärnholm outside Oxelösund on 26/8 and the last seminar was in Strängnäs on 22 November.
Seminar 2, Stjärnholm.
Seminar 3, Strängnäs.
During the year, Sörmland's two Leader areas have collaborated on a joint project to strengthen cultural and creative industries. Interest was high – over 30 applications were received and 21 projects were approved in April.
The result was a strong cultural year with everything from art and theater camps, exhibitions and new festivals, concerts, cultural maps, future workshops and dance in schools.
In parallel, Leader has coached the projects in collaboration and long-term thinking. Many have found new collaborations and several initiatives will live on and develop next year. The project becomes an activity – that's where Leader makes a difference.
We are proud of all the projects and volunteer hours that have been spent.. The network that has emerged will gather again on March 26, 2026.
With small funds, the projects have shown the importance of culture for local development.
The actors and companies that work for and within culture and creative industries contribute to the local economy, activities, employment, tourist destinations, pride in their place, conversations and meetings, a sense of community and context.
The project “Creative countrysides” is being implemented in collaboration with Leader Södermanland, Region Sörmland and Hela Sverige ska leva Sörmland. The project is partly funded by the EU.
Networking meetings
On April 4, the second of a total of three network meetings was arranged on the theme "”Creative countrysides are living countrysides!”. The meeting was held together with Hela Sverige Ska leva Sörmland and in connection with their Rural Council. Around 80 participants from all over Sörmland were invited to a program that would inspire collaborations, more development projects and increased networking. They got to listen to ”enablers”, actors who can provide financial support, offer advice and contacts; Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, Leader, Coompanion and Region Sörmland. The participants also listened to two inspiring examples of activities that have developed their rural areas with the help of cultural activities Skensta Theatre and Vibäck10 There was also information about Creative Rural Areas and a presentation of the projects that have been granted support in the call.
The afternoon was devoted to ”Open Space”, conversations in small groups on topics chosen by the participants themselves.
ANNOUNCEMENT READY!
The 10 projects that have been granted support
In the "Creative Rural Areas" project, we will support ten sub-projects in 2025 that strengthen and develop creative and artistic initiatives in rural areas and small towns.
The following projects have been granted support in the Leader Södermanland area:
Project name: ”Viking tour”
Project owner: Gustav Vasa Association
Collaborator: Friends of the Eskilkällan
Place of implementation: Strängnäs – Eskilstuna
Briefly about the effort: An easily accessible map/app that describes a number of tourist attractions between Strängnäs and Eskilstuna that have historical and cultural origins. The same map/app will show places where you can eat/have a coffee and shop organically and locally.
Project name: ”Nature Culture Wilderness Camp”
Project owner: In the Wild AB, Niklas Taliaferro
Collaborator: Wildlife non-profit association Utis, out together in the forest, Kerstin Neumüller
Place of implementation: Flen
Briefly about the effort: build a wilderness camp that can be used by several different non-profit associations, cultural actors, projects and schools. The camp will become a meeting place and facilitate people who want to create cultural encounters in nature.
Project name: ”Jazz and Ice Cream Festival”
Project owner: Maria Bystedt, Skottvångs Grufva.
Collaborator: Jazz in Sörmland Eskilstuna Jazz Association, GiG-Groove in Gnesta, Oxelösund Jazz Club, Mariefred Jazz Club
Place of implementation: Flen
Briefly about the effort: Develop the festival into an annual event where all jazz clubs in Sörmland are responsible for one act each with the goal of spreading jazz to all ages, collaborating across municipal borders and expanding the Sörmland food selection at the festival.
Project name: ”"Future Forum Stallarholmen".
Project owner: Stallarholmen's network
Collaborator: Fläckerud Production AB
Place of implementation: Stallarholmen, Strängnäs.
Briefly about the effort: Interactive installation during Stallarholmsdagen on May 31, a family day with many different actors. Through co-creation, explore how the future can taste, sound and feel – and how we can act today to get there.
Project name: ”Summer theater for children”
Project owner: Vingåkers People's Park
Collaborator: Niclas Strand Production
Place of implementation: Vingåker People's Park.
Briefly about the effort: Summer theater for children. Engage local youth to play the roles in a play based on Shakespeare's The Tempest. With this summer's theater production, the aim is to create a place for children's culture in Sörmland with recurring theater productions for and with children and youth.
Meeting place for creative rural areas
Meetings and networking events
Network meeting 1 January 23
The first of this year's three networking meetings took place at Elektron in Gnesta on January 23rd and attracted around 90 participants from Södermanland. In addition to information about Leader and the call, Regina Westas Stedt from Hela Sveriges ska leva lectured on the importance of creative industries for rural development, Maria Printz, chef, meal entrepreneur, apple grower, about the development journey of Sörmland's Food Cluster.
There was also a conversation with local actors who have developed both businesses and places in Södermanland with the help of creativity and culture. Participants made Åsa Lockner, Mellösa Works, Göran Lagerstedt, Lagårn in Ullsta and Maria Bystedt, Skottvang mine.
The program ended with the entrepreneur and music arranger Putte Svensson Sahlins personal story of how he, together with friends, creates an internationally renowned meeting place for music lovers that engages and creates growth in an entire region - without them having to leave the town where it all began - Hultsfred.
The buffet served at the end of the networking meeting came from Skottvångs Grufva.
The third and final network meeting will take place in the fall of 2025, more info will be posted here.
Seminar
The projects that receive support are part of a project network that will meet on three occasions in 2025 to share experiences and be inspired by different solutions to challenges from each other and hired lecturers. The hope is that the project efforts will be more sustainable and the effects more long-term by sharing the experiences of others.
Newsletter
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Continuation of granted projects
Project name:”"Children's Sustainability Day, part of the Nature Node in Viala".
Project owner: Study promotion Mälardalen.
Collaborator: Johanna Bolin, Art by Bolin, Britt Marie Järnström, BM Kultur, Mait Walderlo, Västra Vingåkers Hembygdsförening etc.
Place of implementation:Vineyards
Briefly about the effort:In collaboration with two artists, a Nature Node will be mapped out on the property Vingåker Viala 2:14 and a plan will be made for how they can integrate art there. The artists will also hold a workshop on scrap sculpture from recycled materials on Children's Sustainability Day on May 24, where they will investigate what children want at the Nature Node site. The children will be able to talk about, build and draw their ideas and will be involved in the idea phase.
Project name: ”The Mud Trail Part 1”
Project owner: Lerbo parish council
Collaborator: Lerbo Village Hall Association, Äntorp café and hostel, Sköldinge Valla Lerbo Local History Association.
Place of implementation: Lerbo, Katrineholm.
Briefly about the effort: Build the first part of a hiking trail, the Lerboleden, which is intended to consist of several hiking trails with different themes. Kick-off meeting and opening party.
Project name: ”The desk drawer”
Project owner: Stefan Seidel, Dream Factory
Collaborator: Charlotte Bergill, Lotta's tones and notes, Nicklas Lindström Music and Entertainment Sweden AB
Place of implementation: Stallarholmen, Strängnäs.
Briefly about the effort: Find new local talents, coach them with accompaniment and rehearsals, give them a place to meet an audience at Stallarholmens Visdagar and Pianobaren during the autumn.
Project name: ”"From clay disco to sculpture park".
Project owner: Arts promotion KRAFT
Collaborator: Linda Karlsson, Carl Peter Holk, Stjärnhov Sports Club.
Place of implementation: Gnesta
Briefly about the effort: Arrange a clay disco and a collective sculptural work. Clay disco is a physical activity where the clay is worked through dance, jumping and movement until the clay is soft and malleable. After the clay disco comes step two where you create a sculptural world together, the foundation is laid for a sculpture park that also puts Dammhagen on the cultural map.
Project name: The workshop in Mellösa
Project owner: Mellosaverken AB
Collaborator: Nina Wande, Idea Farms, Mellösa Community Council, Sara Li.
Place of implementation: Mellösa Works, Flen
Briefly about the effort: activity in Mellösaverken with a focus on repair and reuse from a climate and social sustainability perspective. Here, residents can repair textiles and furniture, but also receive digital support, especially for the elderly who need help with new technology. An expert is on site every time, and the activity is free. The format is being tested for two months with one day of open space per week.
About the project Creative Rural Areas Södermanland
Purpose and goals
Purpose of the project is to promote culture, creativity and local development in rural areas and small towns in Södermanland.
The project aims to:
– Promote cultural diversity and creativity: By strengthening artists, cultural workers and creative entrepreneurs in rural areas, the project can help preserve and promote cultural diversity and stimulate creativity and innovation.
– Strengthening the attractiveness of rural areas: By supporting cultural and creative industries in rural areas, the attractiveness of the location can also be strengthened, which in turn can strengthen the local economy and create jobs.
– Engaging and including local people: Engaging local residents in cultural and creative activities also strengthens the local community and the sense of belonging in society. This can in turn increase people's participation and commitment to community development.
– Promote sustainable place development: The initiative contributes to creating vibrant and sustainable communities in rural areas, where people enjoy living and working. Culture and creativity serve as tools for place development.
The goal of the project is to promote 20 sub-activities within culture, creativity and place development in rural Södermanland, of which 10 are in Leader Södermanland.
The project is financed of funds from the EU, the municipalities and Region Sörmland.
Cooperation between two Leader areas
CONTACT
Leader Södermanland:
Lotta Strinnholm
E-mail: lotta.strinnholm@leadersodermanland.se
Phone: 076-375 49 46
Leader Sörmland Coast:
Matilda Markne
E-mail: matilda@leadersormlandskusten.se
Phone: 0708- 92 62 69
We are happy to help!
info@leadersodermanland.se
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