Young Planet Caretaker
A green summer job for young people in the Upplandsbygden operational area. During the summer of 2026, 10 young people have run projects to contribute to a better environment.
What is Young Planet Keeper?
The purpose of Young Planet Caretaker is to strengthen young people's hope for the future and skills in project management and practical environmental and nature conservation work.
In the spring of 2026, we opened the application for Young Planet Keeper, where young people aged 16–24 could apply for support to carry out summer jobs that contribute to ecological sustainability and sustainable transition at the local level. These summer jobs or summer projects resemble our subprojects. The biggest difference is that the administration is simpler and that applicants receive decisions faster compared to a regular project with us. The projects will be carried out during the summer of 2026, and you can read more about all approved projects further down the page.
On May 2–3, we had a kickoff meeting with the young planet keepers at Sigtuna Folk High School (read more about the meeting here).
I who am responsible for the summer projects am My Sellberg, and together with me, Hanna Koivukangas works with communication and Daniel Petri Cortés with finance.
Who can apply?
If you are 16–24 years old:
- is committed to environmental, nature and sustainability issues
- live in one of our municipalities: Knivsta, Sigtuna, Uppsala, Vallentuna or Östhammar
Would you like to apply for a summer project together? A maximum of 3 people can apply for a project. Please note, however, that the amount will be the same (max. 40,000) and that you must submit separate applications.
If you are an organization (e.g. association or company - not a municipality):
- operates in the Upplandsbygd area (i.e. in Knivsta, Sigtuna, Uppsala, Vallentuna or Östhammar municipality and outside the city of Uppsala, Vallentuna and Märsta urban areas)
- sees a need for a summer project that contributes to ecological sustainability
- has the capacity to supervise 1–3 young people during the summer of 2026
- has the capacity to hire 1–3 young people during the summer of 2026, or alternatively use a service such as Frilans Finans
- has the capacity to cover costs and have them reimbursed from Upplandsbygd afterwards
- have at least one partner from a sector other than your own (non-profit, private, or public) – preferably a municipality
It is possible to divide responsibilities and roles between two organizations. Please contact My at Upplandsbygd if you want to share ideas and have questions about the setup.
Why should I apply?
If you are 16–24 years old:
- make new contacts and become part of a community of other committed people.
- Get a chance to carry out a project that you are passionate about and work during the summer on issues that you are committed to.
- increases your project management skills and strengthens your CV.
- gain experience to start your own business or association.
You who are an organization:
- receive financial support to employ a youth/young adult during the summer.
- makes new contacts with young people.
- receive help in implementing a project that contributes to your business.
What can you search for?
Socially beneficial initiatives that are mainly carried out within Upplandsbygd geographical area.
For example, investments such as:
- Strengthen outdoor activities and, for example, provide leisure activities for children and young people in the areas of animals and nature.
- Contributes to biodiversity / nature conservation at a location by, for example, inventorying species, maintaining a meadow, building insect hotels/birdhouses, creating or restoring small biotopes/small water environments, removing invasive species.
- Contributes to local and sustainable food supply and cultivation (together) of vegetables, root vegetables, legumes, fruit, berries or nuts.
- Reduces climate impact, contributes to renewable energy use or new solutions to environmental problems.
- Spreads knowledge about, for example, nature conservation management measures, sustainable use of land and water, reduced climate impact, renewable energy, or local food.
- Creates meetings and develops collaborations.
You can apply for a maximum of SEK 40,000 for a summer project. The money must be used during the period 1 June – 31 August 2026 – mainly for the young people's salaries and wage cost supplements. It is also possible to have certain expenses for, for example, purchases, travel, premises rent, or food. All expenses in the project must be necessary to achieve the project's purpose and goals. As an organization, you yourself contribute working hours for supervision and administration.
But don't worry, the project plan is designed together with the project manager My at Upplandsbygd after you have progressed through the admissions process and been matched.
Press
Young Planet Keeper in the media:
For press inquiries, please contact Hanna Koivukangas at hanna.koivukangas@upplandsbygd.se
Application period: February 1 – March 1, 2026
The summer project will be carried out within the period: June 1 – August 31, 2026
Reported latest: December 15, 2026
The summer project will:
- carried out mainly in our area (see map) in Knivsta, Sigtuna, Uppsala, Vallentuna, or Östhammar municipality – outside Uppsala city, Märsta and Vallentuna urban areas
- contribute to ecological sustainability
Contact person: My Sellberg, my.sellberg@upplandsbygd.se, 073-843 33 22.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about Young Planet Keeper!
See other contact details here.
Ongoing subprojects
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.
Project manager: Elis Bergman & Johanna Nilsson
Subproject owner: Lilla Garn Gård AB
Partner: Vallentuna Municipality
Place: Vallentuna Municipality
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Inventory of oaks in Uppland
In this project, project leader Alex Bujis wants to contribute to strengthening the protection of particularly valuable trees in Uppsala County. By inventorying large trees in Hågadalen-Nåsten and in Hallkved near Länna, he aims to create a better picture of where these trees are located and what is needed for them to be preserved over time.
Project manager: Alex Buijs
Subproject owner: The Uppland Foundation
Partner: Uppsala Municipality
Place: Uppsala Municipality
Leader support: 40,000 SEK
Information signs along hiking trails
Project leaders Oona Verveld and Clara Vikberg want to make it easier for children and young people to discover the nature that is close to them. Based at Eda camp, they want to create experiences that spark curiosity, joy, and a sense of responsibility for the environment. Through outdoor activities, they hope to contribute to both increased well-being and a growing interest in nature and sustainability.
Project manager: Clara Vikberg & Oona Verveld
Subproject owner: Study Promotion
Partner: Knivsta Nature School
Place: Knivsta municipality
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
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.
Project manager: Sofia Sjöqvist
Subproject owner: The Uppland Foundation
Partner: Östhammar Municipality
Place: Östhammar Municipality
Leader support: 40,000 SEK
Conversations for a brighter future
Project leaders Ludvig Jogmark and Frida Axelsson want to create space for more conversations about climate and sustainability in connection with the parliamentary elections, and therefore they will invite to workshops during the summer! The purpose of these is to make it easier for people to engage, share experiences, and find ways to talk about climate issues in their own everyday lives.
Project manager: Ludvig Jogmark & Frida Axelsson
Subproject owner: Study Promotion
Partner: Uppsala Library
Place: Uppsala Municipality, Knivsta Municipality, Östhammar Municipality, Sigtuna Municipality
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
Bird-friendly rural areas
Project leaders Nils Söderström and Elton Björkholm want to strengthen bird life in the rural areas of Uppsala and Knivsta by building and installing birdhouses adapted to local species. By combining practical conservation efforts with educational opportunities, they aim to both improve the birds' habitats and increase knowledge about biodiversity. The project contributes to a richer bird life and engages more people in taking care of nature in their local environment.
Project manager: Elton Björkholm & Nils Söderström
Subproject owner: Study Promotion
Partner: Knivsta Nature School
Place: Uppsala Municipality & Knivsta Municipality
Leader support: 80,000 SEK
