Meeting point Vitemölla

From point to heart in Vitemölla

Before the project, the point in Vitemölla harbor was a beautiful but unused place with grass, bushes, and a need for protection against erosion. At the same time, the village lacked a natural outdoor meeting place where residents, associations, visitors, and hikers along the Skåneleden could settle, meet, and enjoy the harbor's environment.

The purpose of the project was to create an accessible, sustainable, and pleasant meeting place by the sea, while also protecting and developing the site with respect for the fishing village's history. The goal was to prepare the point with stones, plants, grassy areas, seating, and grilling opportunities.

During the project, the Vitemölle Lejeförening led the work together with residents, associations, landowners, the municipality, and other local actors. Ideas were collected, sketches were developed, and the design of the site was anchored in the community. Thereafter, land preparation, erosion protection, planting, assembly and treatment of furniture, decoration, communication, and inauguration were carried out. The voluntary engagement was significant: 305 hours of volunteer work and many donated resources contributed to making the place both personal and anchored.

When the project was completed, Vitemölla had gained a new shared outdoor area in the harbor – a place for spontaneous meetings, activities, rest, and community. The project created a new meeting place, a new destination, five new collaborations, and an estimated 7,000 new visitors per year. The association also gained more members, and the inauguration attracted more visitors than expected. The result was a sustainable and welcoming place that strengthened both the sense of belonging, pride, and the harbor's role as Vitemölla's vibrant gathering point.

”Our new vibrant meeting place is a fine result of local engagement and collective efforts.”

Maria Hammenberg, Vitemölla resident

The board's assessment

Decision date: 2024-12-17 

Total selection criteria: 625 points

The board's justification: The board has prepared the case that has achieved 625 points and is considered to meet the goals of the local development strategy. The aim of the project, to create a meeting place in the harbor, and to do so in such a way that both the history of the place is taken into account in the design and at the same time contributes to reducing beach erosion, appeals to the board. The fact that the project has also involved the residents of the place, both during the anchoring work and in future implementation, shows a great commitment to the development of the place itself.