Emelie Öberg, Söråker Community Centre
“As young people, we have the sharpest skills and we keep things moving to make sure the centre works as a meeting place for people of all ages,” says Emelie, who leads a weekly art group for children at Söråker Community Centre and exhibits her paintings there.
“We run the place ourselves. Using young entrepreneurship as our method and culture as our tool, we’ve developed a democratic arena and digital meeting place. Nothing should be impossible here: every dream, idea and fancy has its place. And getting involved should be fun.”
The centre’s proactive, innovative spirit and revitalization of the grassroots concept has yielded fruit. “We use words like desire, respect and trust to convey our values and the centre and our methods have become an example for all of Sweden,” Emelie says. “We educate young people about culture and provide a venue where people can feel comfortable about talking. We get study visits from Rosengård in Malmö, Hammarkullen in Göteborg and Boo Community Centre in Nacka.”
A connected world
© Chris Steele-Perkins
Creative environments generate conditions for growth and development at Söråker Community Centre
