where ideas & people meet.

Together for the development of sustainable & attractive rural areas in Astrid Lindgren's Hometown. With courage, wisdom & ingenuity!

National Leader Meeting in Sunne

From October 6–8, the leader office participated together with four board members at the National Leader Meeting and LUS member meeting in Sunne, where inspiring lectures, rewarding conversations, exchanges of experiences, and new ideas provided us with valuable knowledge and energy for our continued work to develop our rural areas.

Deltagare från Fobo Eksjö/Nässjö och Odlingsakademien på studiebesök på Ödevata Gårdshotell

Black gold in focus in Ödevata

In collaboration with Fobo Eksjö/Nässjö, the Odlingsakademien conducted a study trip to Ödvata with a focus on biochar – the garden's black gold!

Cultivation – a part of preparedness

Read more about the Odlingsakademien's garden visits at Trollslända Lunden between Järnforsen and Målilla

Preparedness meeting Nov 3

Associations in Hultsfred and Vimmerby municipality can during the autumn apply for up to 25,000 kronor through the project Ready.

Astrid Lindgrens Näs och Odlingsakademien sommaren 2026

The Cultivation Academy at Näs

During the summer season of 2026, the Cultivation Academy's film about cultivation on nature's terms will be shown at Astrid Lindgren's Näs in Vimmerby.

Trädgårdsbesök Bolsgården, Trollslända Lunden & Ödevata

Three garden visits

In August and September, the Cultivation Academy 3.0 organizes educational and inspiring garden visits in Ramkvilla, Järnforsen, and Ödevata.

Preparedness meeting September 15

Associations in Högsby municipality and the part of Oskarshamn municipality that belongs to Astrid Lindgren's homeland can apply for up to 25,000 kronor through the project Ready this autumn.

Information session in Vimmerby September 3

Does your company or association have an idea, a need, or a dream for the community? Come and discuss ideas, opportunities, and the future with us at Astrid Lindgren's Hembygd.

Lunch webinar August 26

Do you have an idea for your community, association, or activity? Spend lunch with us and discover what opportunities exist through leader.

Happy summer from us

Astrid Lindgren's Hometown wishes you all a very happy summer. The office will be closed for the holidays during weeks 28-31.

Approved leader checks Living Rural Areas

New ideas are on the way to becoming reality! We have now approved several leader checks within the umbrella project Living Rural Areas and look forward to following the development around the area.

Webinar June 4 – Preparedness and drinking water supply

Welcome to a digital webinar

Film – Astrid Lindgren's Hometown

The Astrid Lindgren's Hometown Association works with rural development through the Leader method.
We support companies and organizations that have new project ideas that benefit the municipalities that are part of Astrid Lindgren's Hometown.

Please watch our film to find out more!

Project map

A selection of our projects

Astrid Lindgren's Hometown supports projects where businesses, non-profit and public organizations work together to develop their rural areas. Here you will find our ongoing and completed projects, which we hope will inspire more ideas!

This is how it goes

Getting started

Do you have an idea? Read more about project support from Astrid Lindgren's Hometown or contact us and we'll see if it could become a leader project.

Writing an application

The next step is to write an application where you clearly describe the idea and what needs to be done. Of course, we are there to provide sound advice!

Implement

If your application is approved, it's time to get started! Follow the project plan and contact us if you have any questions.

End

When the project is completed, it's time for the final report. We, and many others, are curious about how it went.

Lectures in the preparedness area

Allgunnens Community Association will conduct two lectures on edible and healing plants as well as natural preservation to strengthen residents' knowledge and preparedness for potential crisis situations.

Guided bus tour during the Farm Round 2026

Nässjö municipality wants to carry out three guided bus tours during the Gårdsrundan 2026 to make the municipality's local food producers and countryside more accessible.

Emån 2026, from source to sea

Through a joint study trip along Emån, the Saljenbygdens FVO association, together with nearby fishery management area associations, will increase their knowledge about the water system, water and fish management, as well as how different activities use and affect the water from Vetlanda to the sea.

The Associations' House Fågelfors

The sub-activity will provide about ten local associations in Högsby municipality with knowledge, common working methods, and structures to jointly establish and sustainably run a community house in a former school.

Umbrella project – Living countryside

Living countryside gives associations and organizations the opportunity to develop new ideas for their community through leader checks for skills development.

Digital lift for small businesses

With the project Digital lift for small businesses, Atrinova Business Development AB aims to strengthen small businesses' skills in digitalization, communication, and digital marketing through needs-based training, workshops, and individual consulting.

Outdoor gym Anneberg

Annebergs GIF is developing Svartåparken with a new outdoor gym that will be open and free for everyone. The initiative creates new opportunities for training, movement, and community in a nature-close environment in the middle of Anneberg.

Preparation kitchen in café

Bråbo Café is developing a new waffle shop focused on local and seasonal ingredients. Through the project, a new preparation kitchen is being built that enables the initiative and contributes to developing Bråbygden as a food and visitor destination.

Preschool in Björkfors

In Björkfors, local forces are coming together to create conditions for a new preschool. Through the project, facilities are being upgraded for preschool activities – an important investment for families with children and for the continued development of the community.

Aneby place brand

Aneby municipality, together with residents, businesses, and associations, will develop a common place brand for Aneby.

Åsen 2.0 – Enhanced experience

The village of Åsen is developing the visitor experience by creating more period-typical living environments and improving access to nature around the cultural reserve.

Studiebesök Odlingsakademien Bolsgården Skärbäck Ramkvilla Vetlanda

Regenerated IO

The project will develop a digital tool that helps farmers plan, map, and manage agroforestry systems. By combining modern technology with regenerative agriculture, the project aims to make it easier to cultivate with greater biodiversity and increased resilience.

What is the Leader Method?

What is Leader?

Leader is a method for rural development that was introduced by the EU in 1991. The method focuses on local ownership, initiative and commitment. The idea is that development of your particular place is most effectively carried out by those of you who live and work there – by you, your association, local businesses and other organisations. You are the ones who know what needs and challenges need to be met.

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