SE26 project
A celebration of the future
"A celebration of the future" is a recurring event that highlights the importance of young people in Skellefteå's development and strengthens their mental health through meetings, culture and positive experiences. For one evening, Sara Kulturhus is dedicated to young people, and the whole house is bubbling with music and activities.
The film from "A celebration of the future" interviews people who worked on the event, along with young people who talk about their experiences of the evening and thoughts about Skellefteå.
"A celebration of the future" is aimed at secondary school students and is based on the idea that young people are a key force in the future of the municipality. The event took place in 2023 and 2025 at the Sara Cultural Center and the venue was filled with music, workshops and activities. Young people got to try out new forms of expression, see artists and experience an evening characterized by energy and community. The initiative has attracted a great deal of commitment and has been perceived as significant by both participants and organizers.
The background to the initiative is that many young people experience increased pressure around school, future and social demands. By offering a safe arena where they can meet others, discover their strengths and talk about how they feel, the project wants to help increase understanding of mental health and reduce the feeling of being alone. The aim is not to solve all the challenges, but to show that support and community exist - and that the way forward is easier when shared with others.
In the long term, through this event and the effects that come from it, we want to continue to strengthen young people's confidence in the future, create more meaningful meeting places and make it clear that Skellefteå's future is shaped together - and that young people are a natural part of it.
Greetings from young people:
The project primarily addresses social sustainability and skills supply by creating meetings between generations and giving children and young people an active voice in community development, which also strengthens young people's democratic participation and contributes to confidence in the future.
The project uses dialogue, creativity and co-creation processes to engage young people in real societal issues. The 2025 theme was mental health, highlighting an important factor of social sustainability.
Locally, the project strengthens young people's participation and confidence in the future. Regionally and internationally, it contributes to positioning Skellefteå as an example where social sustainability can be built through inclusive processes.
Short term: increased civic engagement, more dialogues and confidence among young people.
Long term: strengthened democratic structures, increased attractiveness and a generation that feels involved in the development of society.
Yes. The project has clear potential to be strengthened through collaboration between schools, culture, civil society, business and international actors, especially around methods of youth participation and social innovation.
The primary target groups are children and young people, as well as educators and community stakeholders. Secondarily, the project is aimed at the general public. Communication will take place through schools, creative commissions, dialogue meetings and via Society Expo 2026's common communication platforms.
The project strengthens the vision by putting people - especially children and young people - at the center and creating the conditions for a more inclusive, meaningful and sustainable everyday life where more people feel included in the Skellefteå of the future.
Read more: SE26 project
Sidinformation
- Senast uppdaterad:
- 19 December 2025