Every year, the “Social Innovation in the North” conference is held, bringing together stakeholders from academia, civil society, the business community, and the public sector. The event features presentations and discussions on current initiatives aimed at developing innovative solutions to societal challenges. The conference is organized in collaboration between Forum for Social Innovation Sweden at Luleå University of Technology and Umeå University, as well as Coompanion Norrbotten and Coompanion Västerbotten. Funding is provided by the municipalities of Umeå, Skellefteå, and Luleå.
This year, the conference will be held on June 1 in Skellefteå as part of Society Expo 2026.
In 2026, Social Innovation in the North will focus on how social innovation can serve as a tool for positive social development in various ways, with a particular emphasis on children and young people.
It will be a day filled with learning, networking, and practical tools for community development, during which we will explore topics such as participation and influence, health, and inclusion from various perspectives.