We Ecopreneurs
Discover how ecopreneurs are creating shorter food chains, strengthening local food security, and building regenerative food chains. Join the network and grow your business!
About the project
Shorter food chains and ecopreneurs
is the core of our project, which aims to create a future where local resources are utilized. By working regeneratively, we not only contribute to reducing climate impact but also actively rebuild soil health, ecosystems, and local cycles. At the same time, we develop local businesses, and furthermore, we increase local food preparedness.
Shorter food chains – the key to local sustainability
Shorter food chains create a more resilient food production where raw materials reach consumers faster, and with less environmental impact. This strengthens local businesses, and additionally, it contributes to preserving and developing local biodiversity. Consumers also benefit from fresher, locally produced raw materials.
Ecopreneurs driving change
Ecopreneurs are innovative and engaged actors who, through regenerative methods, work to create sustainable, local food chains. They build strong networks, and in this way, they develop local businesses and strengthen the local economy. Therefore, their work is crucial for the entire food chain.
How we strengthen local food security
By shortening and streamlining food chains, we increase local food preparedness. This makes our community more self-sufficient, and also more resilient to global disruptions, while we care for and utilize our local resources. Likewise, local raw materials are preserved for future generations.
Networking and collaboration for ecopreneurs
We offer an active network where ecopreneurs, businesses, and organizations can meet, exchange experiences, and create new collaborations. Join the network to receive invitations to inspiring activities, and take part in shared development opportunities. New ideas and initiatives are also welcomed with great engagement.
Do you want to help develop our food chains?
Join our network of ecopreneurs, and contribute to creating shorter and more regenerative food chains. Together, we strengthen local businesses, increase food preparedness, and furthermore, we care for our valuable resources.
Do you have ideas, questions, or want to co-arrange activities? Please contact
Jenny Kangas on
✉️jenny.kangas@upplandsbygd.se
Previous activities:
Hit 1
Richard Tellström took us on a historical look back at food culture in Sweden. Something that is very special for our time compared to before is the demand for fresh food. We don't have to go very far back in time to understand that preserved, fermented, pickled, dried, smoked and stored in the ground were the norm here. What does it mean for our food producers that today's society with its values demands fresh ingredients? In a country with a limited harvest season?
Hit 2
Inspiring Petra Lindberg from Kurbits guided us through a journey on how to develop the place you love. We believe that local food and place development can go together nicely!
Important things to consider:
What are you proud of about your place? Tell others about it!
Lift others and recommend other actors in the area.
Hit 3
This is what Sigtuna Municipality wrote after the meeting:
”Food preparedness is a team effort!
Yesterday's workshop at Herresta Lada highlights the important roles of producers, Sigtuna Municipality, Upplandsbygd Lokalt Ledd Utveckling and other actors. By combining our strengths, we can create a robust and sustainable food system for the municipality.”
Hit 4
We will meet again at Herresta Lada in Sigtuna, but this time on September 24th during the national preparedness week. The purpose of the day was toompetenz o experience exchange in combination with start-up work to strengthen food security issues in the municipality and surrounding areas. Our two themes during the day were local food production and purchasing of local goods and how to stimulate local cultivation in the municipality.
During the day we learned a lot from Södertälje and Trosa, but also about the conditions that exist in Sigtuna. We heard from entrepreneurs, residents and Sigtuna's own politicians, who together tried to create a picture of the situation. It is clear that food security is of interest to many, as the conversations continued throughout lunch.
Meeting 5- The Stockholm Meal
We continue to have meetings around the theme of local food and on September 28th we met at Vallentuna Golf Restaurant, which is run by a real enthusiast when it comes to local food.
Meeting 6 - The Conference
Meeting 7 - ”Put the economy in place!”
On April 22, we put the economy in place in Upplandsbygd together with SLU Ultuna. During the afternoon, Emil Sandström, Erik Melin, and Jenny Kangas talked about local economy from different perspectives – from theory and sustainable societal change to entrepreneurship and small-scale development work.
What does local economy mean in practice? How can resources, money, and engagement stay and circulate more locally? And what role do small-scale businesses and local initiatives play for vibrant rural areas?
Meeting 8 - Study visit to Langhard farm
On May 18, we conducted a study visit at Langhard agriculture outside Vallentuna. During the afternoon, participants met Helena and Joakim Langhard, who run the farm with a clear idea that food and agriculture do not need to be large-scale to be significant.
Meeting 9 - Study trip to Matvärden in Gävleborg
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.
Project period
2024–2027
Upplandsbygd locally led development LAG
Project Manager
Katrin Palm
katrin.palm@upplandsbygd.se
Main partners
Uppsala Food Council, Food and Flavors in Northern Stockholm, Sigtuna Municipality, Organic Farmers, Leader Nedre Dalälven, etc.
About the project
We Ecopreneurs is a project that Upplandsbygd itself runs. The purpose of the project is to work for viable and local food chains and strengthened local sales channels. We are happy to collaborate with you who are a producer, processor, work in logistics/distribution or who want to buy local food.
Granted leader support
SEK 2,079,341
Co-financing from Knivsta, Sigtuna, Uppsala, Vallentuna and Östhammar municipalities
SEK 891,146
Total financing
SEK 2,970,487
