RUS in Överkalix: "You should be able to live here and work with anything"

Överkalix may have its challenges – but it is also a municipality that has a lot to offer its residents. There is a quality of life that comes from openness, rich community life, security, nature and affordable housing, said the participants in the RUS dialogue – our workshop on the future of Norrbotten – on April 21. – We have a social commitment, we are interested in people, said participant Siv Larsson.

A group of Överkalix residents had come to Folkets Hus to discuss challenges and opportunities, and identify what the municipality needs on the road to Norrbotten in 2040. Överkalix may be a municipality that has worked against some headwinds in recent decades, but among those who participated, their sights were set on the future.

– We have challenges such as poor public health, a high average age and a generally weak self-image. We have to change it, but it takes time. Many have learned that happiness lies somewhere other than in their home municipality, that staying there is negative. The goal is that everyone who grows up in Överkalix sees it as a given to stay or return as an adult after studies or similar, said municipal councilor Nicklas Hökfors.

Today he sees that things are happening in the municipality. There is an influx of lifestyle emigrants from Europe, every third house is bought by a foreign citizen. There is also interest from other parts of Sweden. The number of companies has increased steadily in recent years. The municipality has set several goals that boil down to more people wanting to work, live and reside in Överkalix.

“The EU sees opportunities here”

– Norrbotten is in the middle of the green transition and here is Överkalix in the middle of Norrbotten!
I also think that the EU is important to us, the EU has shown that it sees opportunities in Norrbotten, more than the Swedish state does, says Nicklas Hökfors.

Monica Lejon, head of business and society at Region Norrbotten, pointed out that a lot of positive things have happened with the business climate in Överkalix.

– I think this is due to increased communication and visibility between associations, companies and the municipality. It has helped entrepreneurs to be visible and find each other and be able to collaborate, says Joacim Nilsson, business developer at Överkalix municipality.

Need for fast broadband

Today, insufficient broadband expansion and insufficient electricity transmission capacity place limitations on the municipality's development, as do limited cultural offerings, low tax base, lack of competent personnel and housing shortages.

– We have a lot of immigration from Holland and Germany, they have difficulty finding the right kind of housing, houses that suit them and their needs, said Joacim Nilsson.

Gertrud Gustafsson and Siv Larsson highlighted the importance of distance learning to equip the residents of Överkalix for the future. Photo: Christine Hemdal Sandling.

Broadband expansion was seen by several participants as central, even in the villages, to attracting a workforce that works remotely. The workshop also highlighted the need for collaboration with Luleå University of Technology.

– If we get broadband, we can get more graduates here, you don't have to sit in Stockholm and work!, said Gertrud Gustafsson, who also highlighted the need for distance education to raise the level of education in the municipality:
“The future requires academic studies. Specialization can occur between the municipalities, that we have different specializations and a great deal of cooperation,” continued Gertrud, who is active in local associations.

Remote work a great opportunity

Joacim Nilsson also sees remote work as a great opportunity to attract workers who are looking for flexibility and leisure opportunities.

– Imagine if we chose to be modern and attract people here who don't work in the municipality. We managed to create the conditions for remote work. You should be able to live here and work with anything, said Joacim Nilsson.

He also sees a need for local businesses to adapt and compete for labor by offering remote work and flexible hours, as well as to protect their employees with good opportunities for rich leisure time in the fresh air.

Kristin Hammarberg from RISE guided the participants through the workshop exercises. Here with Benitha Eliasson, Norrbotten municipalities. Photo: Christine Hemdal Sandling.

Cooperation across municipal borders

Överkalix is ​​one of the smallest municipalities in Norrbotten in terms of population. Some conclusions from the workshop are that in order to promote quality of life and attractiveness in the municipality, measures are required that promote access to housing, work, social services and infrastructure, as well as that the municipality's resources are used and developed and that cooperation across municipal borders is required to meet common challenges.

– The wisest thing is to cooperate and try to solve the problems that all municipalities have. We may not have the expertise in the municipality, but our neighbor may have it, you avoid duplication of work and can improve efficiency and you can compete with those who are larger, said photo artist Albert Södgård.

He was supported by Berit Drugge, active in the community, who sees cooperation as crucial to the municipality's attractiveness. She wants to see cooperation both between municipalities, but also with the Norrbotten Region and with the state.

– Finding a way to cooperate is the most crucial thing, that we can get along. If we are to have a good future, we as a municipality may have to let go of some things to get others, but it is not easy, said Berit Drugge.

A final message from Överkalix was the need to involve and engage more residents, especially young people, in discussions and decisions to ensure inclusive development of the municipality.

Summary of input from Överkalix

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa