House of Opportunities

New meeting place will gather Hästveda

The project ”The House of Opportunities” will create a broad and open meeting place in Hästveda where people of different ages can meet, socialize, and participate in activities year-round. The background is that the locality has few common facilities and a limited range of leisure activities, especially for young people, seniors, and families.

The starting point is boules, but the ambition is significantly greater. The venue should be able to accommodate, among other things, darts, table tennis, music quizzes, games, snacks, studies, holiday activities, and intergenerational events. The association also wants to collaborate with schools and other associations and eventually create a permanent exhibition about Hästveda's industrial history and Hilding Anders.

The purpose is to strengthen the community and create more opportunities for physical meetings in the village. The goal is for The House of Opportunities to become a natural hub where people can meet across generational boundaries, find new activities, and feel greater participation and hope for the future. When the project concludes, a broad and open meeting place should have been established that can continue to develop even after the project period.

The board's assessment

Decision date: 2026-06-23
Total selection criteria: 510 points
The board's justification: The board decides to approve the application as the project is assessed to contribute to increased social sustainability, participation, and hope for the future in Hästveda by creating an open and intergenerational meeting place. The project responds to a clear local need for more accessible activities and gathering places for both young people, adults, and seniors. The board views positively that the project builds on local collaboration between associations, schools, and other actors, and that the activities are planned to be open and accessible to all regardless of background or circumstances. The project is also assessed to contribute to increased community, improved public health, and strengthened local attractiveness. Furthermore, the board assesses that the project aligns well with Leader Östra Skåne's development strategy within place development, pride, and participation, by creating new meeting places and promoting local engagement and cooperation.