Together for the biosphere area Vombsjösänkan

Vombsjösänkan is a unique place in Sweden and the world and has the potential to become a new biosphere area according to UNESCO's guidelines.

During 2017-2018, Sjöbo municipality conducted a pre-study on the conditions for creating a UNESCO biosphere area in Vombsjösänkan. This generated interest and engagement in the local community, but unfortunately, the process stalled. This collaborative project therefore aimed to take over the work and support the establishment of a new biosphere area in the region around Vombsjösänkan.

The project aimed to create engagement, mobilize, and anchor the process from the bottom up among residents and stakeholders in the area. The project also worked with the fourth dimension of sustainability, the cultural, and mapped Vombsjösänkan's identity and highlighted the area's social, cultural, and economic values.

Despite the pandemic, the project managed to carry out a number of activities aimed at mobilizing, sparking engagement, and developing ideas for a future biosphere area: workshops and development of project ideas, ”Walk and talks” on various themes, study circles in Vombsjöakademin, knowledge seminars, thematic study trips, local place development, and advice on new business ideas.

One example of all these activities is the workshop ”Regions for the Global Goals” which helped local associations work on sustainable local development. Another is the workshop on cultural and creative industries (CCI) in rural areas, which gathered the region's cultural entrepreneurs. An online course in sustainable, green entrepreneurship was also held, as well as study circles on the environmental historical archive in Vombsjösänkan and on the theme of sustainable gardens. Study trips to Blekinge Archipelago biosphere area and Möns biosphere area for engaged residents and actors were conducted, as well as a place development process in Vollsjö – Vision Vollsjö.

In the project, the first and only Biosphere Festival in Sweden was also organized , which is now a recurring event. A festival consisting of the actors or organizations that want to arrange something for nature and culture-interested visitors. For example, guided walks, exhibitions, workshops, try-it-out activities, and concerts., The project established a large grassroots engagement with 859 unique participants. Participants who together worked towards the goal of becoming a biosphere area. This also led to entirely new networks and strengthened actors in the area. At the same time, the work with local place development resulted in new businesses and the two new leader projects.

"Secure the Trail in Vollsjö" ”Our Place in the Biosphere” and ”During the project period, the message came from the National Biosphere Committee that the area had progressed in the candidate process, thus fulfilling the project's goal. After the project's conclusion, the involved municipalities took over the organization, which continued to work on the candidacy.”.

Grassroots development of the biosphere Vombsjösänkan in LEADER Southeast Skåne.

LAG board's justification for car accident

The project contributes to achieving the goals of the local development strategy by mapping, making visible, and strengthening the area's social, cultural, and economic values.