A recently renovated meeting place in Herrgården remains unused despite investments from both the property owner and the Tenants' Association (Hyresgästföreningen), according to a report from SVT Skåne. The primary obstacle is the difficulty in finding residents willing to serve on a board to manage the facility.
Project leader Zidane Said explained the challenge: "We're trying to find people who are not only interested at the beginning, but who can also carry the work forward in a stable and long-term way." The renovated space features two large, bright halls, a newly renovated kitchen, and new toilets, making it suitable for various types of activities.
We're trying to find people who are not only interested at the beginning, but who can also carry the work forward in a stable and long-term way.
Said described a cultural difference in how community organizations are viewed in the area compared to traditional Swedish models of voluntary associations and boards. "It's a cultural clash: when people hear about a voluntary association, many think 'okay, but what do I get out of it?'" he said.
The goal for a future resident board would be not only to organize activities in the space but also to strengthen residents' influence in the area. Said mentioned waste management as a concrete example where a resident board could work with the property owner to find better solutions.
It's a cultural clash: when people hear about a voluntary association, many think 'okay, but what do I get out of it?'
The old premises in Herrgården have been used in various ways over many years, including as a recreation center and for a period as a women's gym, but activity gradually decreased and the spaces stood increasingly empty.