Newsroom
Society Expo 2026 took place from May 27 to June 9, 2026. The news items on this page were published during the planning and execution of the event and remain here as documentation of the work, developments, and activities that took place during the event.
When Johan Rockström and Mattias Klum took the stage at Sara Kulturhus on Friday, there was a great deal of interest. Nearly 650 people gathered to attend a lecture where research, statistics, and powerful stories about nature were woven together into a message about the state of the planet – and the opportunity we still have to influence its future.
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How do you tell the story of a social transformation that is still underway? Linus Johansson, Creative Director at Try New Things, was a guest on Morgonkaffet this morning. The conversation provided insight into the work behind the Society Expo Exhibition and how hundreds of meetings with residents, businesses, associations, and other stakeholders helped shape the narrative of Skellefteå’s development.
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From an acute housing shortage to rising vacancy rates in just a few years. At Skebo’s industry seminar, representatives from the housing sector gathered to discuss the lessons that can be learned when a market changes faster than planning and construction processes.
Since the opening of Society Expo 2026 on May 28, visitors from around the world have gathered in Skellefteå to attend conferences, meetings, exhibitions, and discussions about the societies of the future.
What can other municipalities learn from Skellefteå’s urban transformation? That was one of the questions raised when Anneli Granljung, coordinator for reindustrialization and urban transformation in Norrbotten and Västerbotten at the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, appeared as a guest on Morgonkaffet with SE26. The conversation centered on adaptability, collaboration, and the importance of daring to try new solutions in times of rapid change.
Train whistles, curious visitors, and discussions about the future of travel. During Train Day, people of all ages gathered in downtown Skellefteå to learn more about the Norrbotnia Line and the role the railway will play for people, businesses, and community development in northern Sweden.
On the opening day of Society Expo 2026, visitors gathered at Sara Kulturhus for an afternoon filled with visions of the future, discussions, and perspectives on sustainable social development. Through lectures and panel discussions, representatives from the business community, the public sector, and the general public came together to discuss issues related to leadership, the economy, global development, and how we can work together to build the societies of the future.
On June 4 at 1:00 p.m., the new observation tower at WasteLand in the Scharin area will be inaugurated. The tower will serve as a new gathering place where visitors can experience the landscape from above, while also providing space for culture, storytelling, and activities at ground level.
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At SE26 Talks – Skills Supply at Camus Skellefteå, representatives from the business community, academia, the public sector, and civil society gathered to discuss one of northern Sweden’s most important issues for the future. A common theme throughout the day was the realization that the skills supply is about more than just recruitment – it’s about attractive locations, lifelong learning, and collaboration.
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What does preparedness look like in practice? How do we prepare society for crises, heightened alert levels, and, in the worst-case scenario, war? These were the central questions when security policy expert Joakim Paasikivi, along with government agencies and local stakeholders, gathered for a morning session on total defense and civil preparedness during Society Expo 2026. The message of the day was clear: A resilient society is built through collaboration and long-term planning.
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SE26 Talks – Social Sustainability brought together representatives from the business community, the public sector, civil society, and the nonprofit sector for a day filled with knowledge-sharing, the exchange of experiences, and discussions on how we can work together to build a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable society.
When the Rural Parliament brings together participants from all over Sweden in Skellefteå, the focus is on issues related to local development and collaboration. During the Morning Coffee session, Irene Oskarsson, chair of Hela Sverige ska leva , spoke about the organization’s work and the importance of giving people the opportunity to influence development in the communities where they live.
How do we build sustainable communities when conditions are changing rapidly? And what can communities in different parts of the world learn from one another?
On Thursday, WasteLand Skellefteå Climate Action Park—Europe’s first art and knowledge park—was officially opened. After 17 years of soil remediation, a formerly contaminated industrial site in Skellefteå has now been transformed into a new public space for art, climate dialogue, and discussions about the future.
Society Expo kicked off with discussions about Skellefteå’s journey of development, optimism for the future, and the importance of collaboration in times of rapid change. During the first Morning Coffee event on May 27, topics such as growth, local identity, and how pride and engagement can encourage people to want to live in Skellefteå were discussed.
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With energy, optimism, and over 50 students in attendance, the Society Expo Exhibition opened today at the Skellefteå Museum. The opening marked the start of 14 days where people come together, ideas take shape, and the future is explored together.
Creating environments that make it easy to do the right thing is an important part of a sustainable society. Ahead of Society Expo 2026, Teknikprogrammet at Balderskolan and Solkraft are therefore collaborating to develop new environmental stations for use at the event site. Through this project, pupils get to work on a real-world assignment where design, function, and user-friendliness take center stage, while the result contributes to a more sustainable Skellefteå.
In the run-up to Society Expo 2026 , architecture students from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) are participating in the development of Wasteland by creating designs and concepts for an observation tower. The tower will be part of the signature project Wasteland, Skellefteå Climate Action Park, where art, climate technology, and urban planning converge. The collaboration gives students the opportunity to work on a real-world project that connects education, place-making, and sustainable transition.
On Tuesday, Society Expo 2026 invited the press and partners to the Skellefteå Museum. The focus was on the Expo’s content—including an in-depth look at the program, the exhibition, and details regarding the opening ceremony on May 28.
Creativity takes center stage at Society Expo 2026. Students from the arts program, Visual Arts and Design, at Anderstorp High School have created 42 unique works of art that will be part of the stage design in the square during the Expo.
