Today, 29 March, marks the anniversary of Kiruna Växer. Four years ago, the association held its first constituting board meeting. What began as an initiative between a handful of Kiruna’s largest employers has, in just a few years, grown into an established forum for collaboration across the entire municipality.
In autumn 2021, Viscaria took the initiative to bring local employers together to discuss a shared question: How can we jointly help ensure that Kiruna remains an attractive place to live and work, even as the town continues to grow?
The need was clear. Major investments, new jobs and rising demand for skills placed pressure on housing, infrastructure and the wider community. Meeting that challenge required cooperation.
Together with organisations such as LKAB, Kiruna Municipality and the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), a reference group was formed. The conversations quickly became more than occasional meetings. There was a shared interest in continuing the dialogue.
From Idea to Association
In March 2022, the economic association Kiruna Växer was formally established. Since then, membership has grown steadily, and today the association brings together more than 100 companies and organisations.
For Viscaria, it is particularly encouraging to see how the initiative has taken root and evolved over time. What began as a single conversation has become an established meeting place where employers come together to address shared issues and contribute to Kiruna’s development.
The starting point has been simple: the business community is a vital part of societal development and has both the opportunity and the responsibility to contribute. By bringing actors together, issues can be raised collectively and driven forward in a more coordinated way.
Dialogue That Drives Progress
Kiruna Växer has become a natural meeting place for matters relating to the town’s development. Through board meetings, member meetings and annual general meetings, an ongoing dialogue is maintained between employers and the municipality.
The municipality’s membership and participation on the board has been key to creating long‑term stability. Representatives from both the majority and the opposition are involved, providing broad anchoring in local decision‑making.
In parallel, a large number of workshops have been held. Topics such as housing, transport, skills supply and attractiveness have been explored in more concrete terms. This has helped build a shared understanding of the challenges and what needs to be prioritised.
Initiatives That Make a Difference in Everyday Life
The work has also resulted in several tangible initiatives.
The cultural festival Kultura has been held every year since 2022 and has become a much‑appreciated part of life in Kiruna. Svenska Fjällpremiären has been established as a recurring winter event. Both contribute to strengthening the town’s vibrancy, not least during periods when many new residents are finding their footing.
Housing has been a central issue from the start. Through the Bo i Kiruna conference, stakeholders have gathered to discuss how more housing can be enabled and how development can take place in a long‑term, sustainable way.
A Shared Responsibility
Four years after its launch, Kiruna Växer is now an established part of how employers in Kiruna collaborate. It is about sharing perspectives, finding common solutions and taking responsibility for the bigger picture.
For Viscaria, this engagement is part of the company’s work with societal issues and sustainability. Contributing to the development of the place where the company operates is a natural part of its mission.
Kiruna Växer is built on a simple idea: development works best when many actors pull in the same direction.