Residencies work. Bringing people together and creating the conditions and space for ideas to develop inspires creativity and innovation. This project is about setting up and running Europes biggest residency for Social Entrepreneurs on a farm in Sweden.
Social entrepreneurship is still an up-and-coming trend. We need to create a space where people with a drive to bring change can live together with other like-minded folk and challenge each other. We need to create a space that is inviting to newcomers to Europe to take part in co-creating new solutions to societies challenges. Europes solutions need to come from a multi-disciplinary, culturally diverse approach.
To set up the structure (physical and social) for the residency to launch before the end of the project. We aim to acquire and bring up to living-standard the farm, create the methodology and workflows to receive residents and lastly run a promotional campaign searching for aspiring individuals with a drive to turn an idea into action. Residents will be able to stay at the residency cost free. Access to the residency must be wide.
We will purchase a farm house with at least 2000m2 of farmable land in the middle of Sweden. This is to ensure that overhead costs are low and that the residency can maintain long-term with the goal of growing holistically. We have been corresponding with three farmers in the area we are searching. We will then upgrade the farmhouse up to living standard and furnish the rooms. Lastly, we will run an open call for people to apply with their ideas for a better society. This communication campaign will go through our Europe-wide network. The methods for how the residency will run derive from the learnings of our first residency project (2015) that happened in the South of Sweden.
Social entrepreneurs and individuals with a drive to use their skills for the common good. This project is about inspiring and connecting new or existing initiatives in Europe.
Residencies work for artists and for-profit entrepreneurs. Giving a space for people to focus on their idea surrounded by like-minded people gives high results. We want to adapt this concept to social entrepreneurship. We believe this is the most relevant field to invest into.
Cost of Farm: 40 000 EUR
Travel and transportation: 4 000 EUR
Office Materials: 1 000 EUR
Building Materials: 10 000 EUR
PR: 1 000 EUR
Unforeseen: 5 000 EUR
Project Leader: 12 000 EUR
Project Assistant: 7 200 EUR