Norrskenet 2030 - transition to a sustainable society through innovative synergies and social inclusion

Purpose and goal

The project goals of creating a model for a community sustainability transition and a plan for how to implement this transition have been accomplished by creating a model on how to organize a local food supply chain and inclusion through social entrepreneurship, as well as a local transition plan for the city district of Norrskenet in Söderhamn. Both the model and the plan comply with the long-term goal of making Norrskenet a regional and national pilot area for transitioning into a sustainable community. The project has also initiated collaboration with Region Gävleborg among others.

Expected results and effects

The main result of the project is the solution/model called ´The local food supply chain´. It is a master plan for social innovation and long-term sustainability. The model builds on the development of a social economy with a local basis, in this case by forming a social business that works to include foreign born, young adults and people with difficulties obtaining employment in the regular job market. The combination of business type, approach and sustainability know-how is a unique solution both local and national.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has been completed in accordance with the time and activity plan and in a constellation of participants in close collaboration between civil society and locally anchored R & D. A fairly large part of the project time has been spent on establishing contacts, dialogs with various participants and also presenting and discussing the project ideas. The ideas and solutions have received positive response, unexpected support and gained interest from various areas. An important lesson of this is that the projects solutions are sought after, current and can be viewed as job creation.