Curious about
Society Expo 2026?

SE26 is an initiative focused on society and the people who shape it.
It will comprise conferences, knowledge-sharing, and initiatives that highlight Skellefteå’s social transformation while supporting both our own future and that of other places. We welcome everyone to take part – from residents to organisations.

Society Expo 2026 will be held from 27 May to 9 June 2026. However, it is more than just these dates – the Expo represents a long-term commitment to participation and collaboration, which has already begun and will continue beyond 9 June.

We will release the overall programme in Q4 2025. A more detailed programme will be launched in Q1 2026.

It addresses issues that are relevant to everyone, regardless of where they are in the world. We also take a broad approach when it comes to collaboration – engaging partners ranging from local to global stakeholders.

The challenges we face locally are the very same ones that exist on a global scale.

Society Expo 2026 is a key part of Skellefteå Municipality’s strategy for 2030, which aims to create a sustainable and innovative future. The Expo serves as a platform for testing and developing solutions in areas such as sustainability, inclusion, and business development – precisely the focus areas highlighted in the strategy. By bringing together residents, businesses, researchers, and organisations, we are creating a dynamic forum for collaboration and future-oriented community building. Society Expo 2026 is therefore both a reflection of and a catalyst for Skellefteå’s long-term goals.

For us, rapid and sustainable societal transformation refers to changes happening at a pace far beyond the growth rate we’ve become accustomed to over the past 50 years. Moreover, this transformation must be approached with a comprehensive view of sustainability. We believe it may involve a pace four times faster than usual – a transformation that would normally take 40 years is now expected to happen within just 10 years.

Yes, one clear example is the rapid population growth during the 2020s. In the first quarter of 2024, Skellefteå was, for instance, the fastest-growing municipality in Sweden, with new residents arriving from all over the world. This has brought several positive effects, including increased diversity and a boost in skills and competencies. The challenge, of course, is that all sectors of society need to develop at the same rapid pace. In Skellefteå, social sustainability has been a key focus, which has helped many people settle into the community and see Skellefteå as their new home.

What are the biggest challenges for a place that grows rapidly in a short period of time?
One major challenge is making decisions quickly and boldly. We have also identified specific challenges in areas such as skills provision, mobility, housing, social sustainability, and climate and the environment – each with key issues that need to be addressed within their respective fields.

SE26 will generate long-term benefits in seven key areas: Increased visibility of Skellefteå’s societal transformation, promotion of sustainable development, strengthened ambassadorship, easier collaboration, innovation, cross-sectoral working, and greater confidence in the future along with enhanced participation. At the same time, SE26 serves as a model for other regions undergoing similar transitions, supporting them in adapting more quickly to ongoing societal changes.

SE26 is organised and funded by Skellefteå Municipality and the municipal group (Skellefteå Stadshus AB), with Helena Renström serving as Head of Society Expo 2026.

The idea for Society Expo 2026 emerged as part of Skellefteå Municipality’s work on the development strategy Skellefteå 2030. The decision to invest in Society Expo 2026 was made on 31 January 2023, following two feasibility studies carried out in 2021 and 2022. The decision was taken by Skellefteå Municipality’s executive management team together with the Municipal Council.

Funding is determined by Skellefteå Municipality and totals SEK 80 million for the period 2023–2026. SE26 is partly financed through dividends from Skellefteå Stadshus AB, the parent company of the municipality’s operational enterprises. This funding amounts to SEK 20 million for the years 2023 and 2024, with the same amount planned for 2025 and 2026. In addition, SEK 20 million has been allocated from the municipality’s budget surplus.
Overall, this is an investment that generates direct returns for Skellefteå during the implementation phase, as well as long-term benefits through strengthened development.

Yes, a forward-thinking municipality must be present in the here and now while also investing in the future. Through the SE26 initiative, we are investing in society and the people who shape it. We have identified seven particularly important areas that together serve as key drivers of positive societal development – both in Skellefteå and in other communities.

Yes, children and young people are a key target group for SE26. We are planning dedicated programs and activities that engage and inspire the younger generation to participate in societal development and reflect on the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Skellefteå becomes a testbed for ideas by opening up both the urban area and the rest of the municipality for collaboration and innovation in entirely new ways.

We are looking for innovations based on creative thinking and cross-border collaborations, outside the usual operations of Skellefteå Municipality and our partners. One example is project groups formed to find new solutions to Skellefteå’s housing challenges.

The common factor is that they are engaged in the society around them. This could be directly through their business model and mission or indirectly through expectations from their stakeholders.

Företag och organisationer som är intresserade av att bli partners kan kontakta vårt partnerskapsteam för mer information om samarbetsmöjligheter. Partnerskap erbjuder en unik chans att visa upp innovativa lösningar och bidra till Skellefteås hållbara utveckling.

Everyone has a role to play in Skellefteå’s development, and everyone is welcome to contribute! Skellefteå’s residents are, of course, key participants, and we have a special focus on children and young people. Other priority groups include businesses, public actors, academia, and civil society organisations.

Everyone is welcome. We especially encourage new collaborations between local, national, and international actors – from businesses to public institutions, academia, and civil society organisations. Please feel free to contact us directly for more information on how to get involved!

Everyone is welcome. We especially encourage new collaborations between local, national, and international actors. From businesses to public entities, academia, and civil society organisations. Please feel free to contact us directly for more information on how to get involved!