The association Hela Sverige Ska Leva has developed society's needs ladder to describe what a society needs to be complete. It is a variation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
We want to use the needs ladder as a tool in fulfilling the strategy.
The Leader method is very suitable for the three upper steps of the ladder; community, self-esteem and self-realization because the non-profit and private sectors can be the driving force within them. The lower two steps, service and infrastructure, are more the task of the public sector and can be difficult for a village to take responsibility for alone.
Here is a link to YouTube that explains the Society's needs ladder according to the association Hela Sverige Ska Leva.
The Jante Law and the utilitarian mentality
The Jante law and the work mentality have historically characterized our area. Work mentality is a term for the norms and values that have traditionally arisen in places such as Bergslagen where a large part of the jobs are found with a certain company. In addition to diversifying entrepreneurship and increasing small businesses, service businesses and investing in knowledge-based industries, we see a need to challenge the Jante law. Jante is about not standing out and believing that you are better than others in any way. Such an attitude inhibits growth and development. In order to strengthen the positive self-image both collectively and in the individual, we want to see investments in the good story about Bergslagen.
We also see a need to invest in skills provision. A completed upper secondary school diploma, or equivalent at folk high school, is a decisive factor for the possibility of self-sufficiency and a good life with good health. Opportunities need to be available to educate and train through folk education, libraries, folk high schools and study associations. This is important for reducing educational gaps in society, increasing diversity and social cohesion.
Storytelling
The good story about Bergslagen is a development opportunity from all three perspectives within sustainable rural development, economic, social and environmental. Storytelling is about arousing commitment in the recipient by communicating with words, images, symbols and emotions. We see a need to highlight the good and develop it further: All committed people in Bergslagen with great trust in each other and a nice social community; speaking well of our region; an increased level of education; our process of counteracting online trolls and the harsher conversational climate on the internet. We can strengthen democracy and freedom of expression in Bergslagen through leader projects. Residents need to be involved in social development and influence their own life situation.
Leisure and sports
Throughout the Leader Bergslagen area, the sports environment has an important function as a gathering place for more than just sports. It often becomes the meeting place for children and young people after the end of the school day and on weekends and holidays. Young people who are involved in some association activity in their free time describe that their sense of belonging and community is in that group. That is why we want to develop the leisure and sports opportunities in Bergslagen.
We see a need for integration projects with foreign-born women, men and young people. Several of our municipalities have received many unaccompanied refugee youth and we see a continued need for integration initiatives.
In many ways, culture is an opportunity for development. Cultural life needs to be enriched in all art forms, and artistic creation is a prerequisite for a dynamic cultural life and growing cultural entrepreneurship. There is also a need to develop projects that promote the languages and cultures of minorities.
Climate change
The good story about Bergslagen from an environmental perspective is about, for example, the climate transition.[1]. There is potential in Bergslagen for a development that puts climate and sustainability before the pursuit of money and population growth. The countryside attracts creative people who are looking for a new lifestyle and through the Leader method we can take advantage of existing initiatives and achieve positive social change.
Attracting occupancy
The towns in Bergslagen offer natural alternatives to living in Västerås, Karlstad, Örebro and Stockholm without having to move out into the forest. Through our local development strategy, we want to attract immigrants and visitors with the strengths of the area. We also want to protect those who already live here. There is a need to develop mentorship between Bergslagen residents. This can involve transferring knowledge between generations, such as having a ”grandmother/grandfather” in the area who helps with the sense of home, identity and belonging. In order for young people to get involved in the unique industrial-historical and often natural environments, there is a need to rejuvenate the association boards. Protecting Bergslagen residents is also about strengthening integration by creating bridges between those established in society and those who are new or outside.
Increased range of meeting places all year round
It is important that the meeting places created through Leader are inclusive and accessible. That people with different needs feel welcome. There is a need for digital adaptation to the ”new normal” with mixed digital and physical meetings in the wake of the pandemic. We want to create forums where young people can feel safe. There is a great need for development in creating meeting places in winter, to generally increase the supply during all seasons of the year. As well as creating meeting places for several target groups such as children, the elderly, newly arrived people, and those born abroad. Meeting places between generations and cultures are needed. We need to develop family centers, recreation centers, activity centers, etc. We also need to develop meeting places in public space with new parks, green spaces, squares for togetherness, recreation, experiences, and creative exchanges.
Digitalization
Digitalization and the possibility of remote work is an area in which we want to see continued development. For sustainable community building, broadband infrastructure is a prerequisite. During the corona pandemic, attitudes towards remote work changed and gained momentum. This trend can, through leader projects, increase the chances that more people will choose to stay or move to Bergslagen. Online meetings reduce geographical distances and contacts can extend far beyond municipal borders.
[1] https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1079107/FULLTEXT02.pdf Essay Örebro University Storytelling – a cosmetic gesture or real participation?