transformation through locally led development

 

Upplandsbygd supports enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who want to work for a sustainable transition in rural areas.

Newsletter September 2026

The newsletter for September 2026 is here!

Acting Project Manager

within the intervention area Local economy and Sustainable entrepreneurship

Grow more – for preparedness and community!

On September 21 at Knivsta municipal house, we invite you to an inspiring fair and lecture. The event is part of the preparedness week in Knivsta.

Deltagarna på konferens med projektet TTRC Transition Towards Resilient Countrysides around the Baltic Sea. Lokalt ledd utveckling Upplandsbygd

International meeting about smart villages

In mid-September, we will be visited by our partners from Latvia and Lithuania to learn from each other how we develop local smart strategies.

The Taste Journey in Vallentuna!

A day focused on local food, local food makers, and the flavors of Vallentuna.

Great turnout at the haymaking festival

On July 26, Söderön's local heritage association organized a haymaking festival at Spökbacken. The initiative is a subproject in Upplandsbygds Richer water and landscapes.

UP Clara Oona

Young Planet Keeper featured in The Guardian

Young Planet Keeper is featured in The Guardian! Please read more here about what My, Oona, and Clara have to say about the project.

Taste Vallentuna 2026!

Taste Vallentuna! On Saturday, August 29, from 11 AM to 2 PM, it's time for Taste Vallentuna at Langhard Agriculture.

Newsletter June 2026

The newsletter for June 2026 is here!

Local food, coordinated distribution, and MatVärden Market

Together with MatVärden and Vallentuna municipality, we conducted a study trip. Our focus was local food, shorter food chains, and how coordinated distribution can work in practice.

Smart villages strengthen rural resilience in three countries

Read about the project's Resilient Rural Areas where rural areas in Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania develop Smart Village strategies for crisis preparedness, local food production, sustainable development, and stronger local communities through training, SWOT analyses, and international cooperation.

Annual meeting 2026

Upplandsbygds annual meeting 2026 was held in Östhammars municipality – Thanks to outgoing members and a warm welcome to new forces in the board!

Food from the ground – outdoor kitchen

Bobrunna farm wants to show with the project that it is possible to cook in simple and sustainable ways with materials that are readily available.

Digital platform for local food cultural heritage

With this initiative, project leader Linda Lönnqvist aims to create a digital platform to collect local recipes, stories, and food traditions in Uppland.

Daniel Lövgren Uppsala matråd

Uppland pintxo

With this project, Uppsala Food Council wants to highlight Uppland's food culture by creating a local variant of an Uppland pintxo.

The Café

Lotta wants to develop Åby into an even more inviting place, and with The Café, she wants to create a space where people can meet, have coffee, and relax.

Hans Hallengren

The Voice of the Countryside – Resilience for Real

Project leader Hans Hallengren wants to highlight the conditions that small food producers face. The project is conducted as a podcast series where local producers can speak in their own voices and share their experiences.

logga lena engen

Make use of the farm's fruits and berries

Project leader Lena Engen wants to make use of the farm's fruits and berries and let them become part of a local cycle in Vallentuna.

Harvest market in Gräsö

Ellinor Nordensten wants to create a recurring market for local and locally produced food and drink in Östhammars municipality.

Torp Bagarstuga Viby

Bakery cottage in Viby

Pelle & Marie want to explore whether it is possible to give new life to an unused cottage in Viby by transforming it into a bakery cottage.

Bird-friendly rural areas

In the project, Nils and Elton work to strengthen bird life by setting up birdhouses and spreading knowledge about biodiversity in Uppsala and Knivsta's rural areas.

Nature conservation at Toftesta holme

In this project, the young planet caretakers Johanna Nilsson and Elis Bergman want to strengthen the natural values at Toftesta holme and the area around Lilla Garns nature park. By combining several conservation efforts, they aim to increase biodiversity while also creating richer nature experiences for visitors.

UP Clara Oona

Information signs along hiking trails

Project leaders Oona and Clara want to make it easier for children and young people to discover the nature that is close to them. Through outdoor activities, they hope to contribute to both increased well-being and a growing interest in nature and sustainability issues.

Sofia Sjöqvist lupiner UP

Measures against invasive species: communication and control

Project leader Sofia Sjöqvist wants to contribute to protecting nature on Gräsö. She will do this by, among other things, working on controlling invasive species and spreading knowledge about how they should be managed. With a focus on Gräsö Gård nature reserve and Öregrund, she aims to both strengthen biodiversity and make it easier for more people to understand how they can contribute themselves.

What is the Leader Method?

A method for rural development

The Leader method is used throughout the EU. It is based on local roots, initiative and commitment. The idea is that development of your particular place is carried out most effectively by those of you who live and work there. You are the ones who know what needs and challenges need to be met.