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From idea to action: new forces lift Hässleholm's station communities

The project aims to strengthen the community and promote sustainable local development in Hässleholm municipality's six station communities – Vinslöv, Tyringe, Hästveda, Bjärnum, Vittsjö, and Sösdala – including surrounding smaller areas.

By organizing recurring station community weeks, inclusive meeting places are created where residents, businesses, and associations can meet, make contacts, and jointly influence the development of their community. The starting point is a clearly expressed need from previous leader projects, station community meetings, and citizen dialogues, where actors in the communities have requested more collaboration, support in driving their own initiatives, and concrete tools for local development.

The project includes three main activities. First, training, drop-in support, and advice in marketing, web development, and social media are offered to strengthen the digital presence and competitiveness of residents, businesses, and associations. Second, youth hubs are formed in each station community, based on an assessment of children and young people's needs, where activities during the station community weeks strengthen participation, safety, and future confidence. Third, a practical guide is developed on how local development projects can be organized, financed, and driven, inspired by the BID Hässleholm model, so that the communities can take greater ownership of their long-term development.

The project's overarching goal is to create long-term collaboration structures between residents, associations, businesses, and the municipality, increase well-being and safety, strengthen local engagement, and counteract out-migration. Through new meeting places, more collaborations, and increased competence, the station communities should be perceived as more attractive places to live, work, and run businesses – even after the project's conclusion.