Swedish Group Uses Nature for Integration

Why this is here: Khadidja Mahamat says residents of Marielund currently participate in positive community events only one to three times per year.

Eva Lundgren Stenbom started the nonprofit Imagine (What We Can Do) in Norrköping, Sweden, to organize activities promoting community and integration. She began this work in 2014. The group leads outings into nature, aiming to make the Swedish outdoors accessible to everyone.

Khadidja Mahamat, a participant, notes that opportunities for these kinds of events are scarce. She describes a lack of safe public spaces in Marielund, which keeps people at home. Positive social connections are in demand, but currently limited to about one to three events per year.

The project addresses a reported gap between the need for integration initiatives and their availability. The group acknowledges some participants feel hesitant about venturing into Swedish nature, but emphasizes its safety. Future work will continue to build these connections.