Exploratoriet – A Strategic Social Actor

In recent years, Skellefteå has become a clear symbol of the green transition. New companies are setting up shop, new jobs are being created, and development is moving quickly. But the transition isn’t just about investments and factories. It’s also about people. Sweden—and Skellefteå in particular—faces a major skills challenge: more young people need to choose technical and science-based education programs to secure the workforce and innovation capacity of the future.

A playful introduction to technology and the natural sciences

Exploratoriet is a science center in Skellefteå with 800 m² of exhibition space spread over three floors. Here, families with children and the general public can experiment, discover, and explore technology and the natural sciences in a playful and interactive way. Through partnerships with the education departments of several municipalities, universities, businesses, and public sector organizations, Exploratoriet serves as an educational resource and meeting place where young people have the opportunity to connect their knowledge to real-world issues of the future.

Children and Youth Participation in Social Development

One example of how Exploratoriet strengthens young people’s participation in societal development is through the SEE Future project. The project brings together young people from preschool, elementary school, and high school and invites them to participate in dialogues, challenges, and creative assignments. The project aims to show that young people are not just the future—they are co-creators of it. Another component of the project is “Tidsresan” (Time Travel), where preschool children gain an understanding of the Skellefteå region, focusing on how it was in the past, how it is today, and how it might be in the future. “Tidsresan” is fully integrated into the preschool’s working methods and organization and will hopefully give decision-makers a better understanding of how children view our shared future.

Cooperation for Development

In 2026, Exploratoriet will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The next step in Exploratoriet’s development is to become even stronger on several fronts: continuing to create engaging exhibits and learning environments, developing educational programs, and taking on a more prominent role in the region’s long-term efforts to ensure a skilled workforce. This work is being carried out in collaboration with the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm, Skellefteå Kraft AB, the Skellefteå Museum, and the Municipality of Skellefteå.

An updated vision is a key component of taking the next step, and the goal of this collaboration is to implement initiatives that both enhance the region’s appeal and contribute to the supply of skilled labor. The collaboration also aims to highlight the ongoing societal transformation and help Exploratoriet become not only a place for experiences, but also a key player in how Skellefteå builds the knowledge, opportunities, and innovative capacity of the future.

Read more: SE26 project