A gigantic knowledge platform
for social development

When Skellefteå grew at record speed, opportunities and challenges arose. Society Expo 2026 will create a knowledge arena where experiences from this transition will be shared with Sweden and the world.

Over the past decade, Skellefteå has undergone one of Europe's fastest social transformations. Northvolt's establishment was the catalyst, but the transition had been building for some time. When the pace picked up in 2017, it became clear that the experiences needed to be shared.

"Expo is about how we can learn from rapid and sustainable social transformation. We want to contribute with our lessons learned – but also listen to others," says Helena Renström, project manager for Society Expo 2026.

Several regions in Sweden and Europe are facing similar changes – Boden, Kiruna, Ludvika, and Gällivare, to name a few. Society Expo has identified five key challenge areas that all fast-growing places need to address: housing, skills supply, mobility, social sustainability, and climate and environment.

"It is extremely difficult to build housing quickly and sustainably. When it comes to skills supply, we have learned a lot about how to create an attractive community and how to get people to move there," says Helena.

Mobility is about smart transportation for both people and goods, and about changing ingrained behaviors in a society that is overly dependent on cars. Social sustainability is perhaps the most complex issue—creating inclusion when the area is changing rapidly. Gender equality is also at risk when migration and the labor market are gender-segregated.

The fifth area, climate and environment, is the constant underlying challenge – building more, but emitting less.

“Society Expo is a huge event for community developers – a place where we meet to share experiences and find solutions to the most difficult issues, together,” says Helena.

Society Expo brings together around 50 partners from the business community, academia, and the public sector. The work also involves including civil society—associations such as Expats & Friends and Women Welcome play an important role in making newcomers feel at home.

Skellefteå's social transformation in modern times can in many ways be likened to a roller coaster ride. But regardless of the peaks and troughs, it is important to stay firmly in the carriage.

"We have chosen to get on board, and it is important that we choose to stay on. We understand that it will be a thrilling experience and that sometimes our hearts will be in our mouths, but it is also important for the rest of Sweden to understand that we are going to stay and make this work."

Looking ahead to 2030, Renström hopes that Society Expo will have strengthened confidence in Skellefteå and contributed to knowledge at the national level.

"We want more people to understand what has actually happened in Skellefteå—and for the lessons learned to contribute to sustainable social development throughout the country. Experiencing Skellefteå's development on site is completely different from reading about it. When you visit us, you really understand, and hopefully you take away insights that can make a difference where you come from," concludes Helena Renström.

Text: Christopher Scott