Over the past decade, Skellefteå in northern Sweden has experienced one of the fastest societal transformations in modern Europe. Driven by the opportunities of the green transition, the municipality has faced rapid population growth, international talent attraction, housing challenges, skills shortages and the need to scale public services at unprecedented speed.

At the same time, the journey has not been without setbacks. The bankruptcy of Northvolt became one of Europe’s largest industrial bankruptcies, testing the resilience of the community and raising important questions about how societies navigate uncertainty and change.

In this session, we share the story behind Skellefteå’s transformation – from creating a shared vision through citizen dialogue and long-term planning, to managing both growth and disruption. We will explore the lessons learned, the importance of adaptability, trust and collaboration, and why resilience has become one of the most valuable assets for communities facing major transitions.

The session also highlights how Society Expo 2026 and a range of ongoing initiatives are helping shape the future through innovation, skills development, climate action and collaboration.

A story about transformation, resilience and what it takes to build the future together.