Swedish Scouts receive funding to broaden outdoor participation
Scouterna received SEK 1,346,000 in 2015 project funding, primarily for Breddat friluftsliv and Scouting för alla.
Sweden’s 2015 government grants for outdoor organizations included SEK 1,346,000 in project funding for Scouterna, the Swedish Scouts. The money was primarily intended for Breddat friluftsliv, which broadens outdoor participation, and Scouting för alla, or Scouting for All.
“Scouting for All gives us the opportunity to continue expanding our recruitment initiatives, particularly among groups we currently struggle to reach in more parts of the country. The initiative is entering its second year, and we are very pleased to continue the work,” said project coordinator Anton Landehag.
Svenskt Friluftsliv, responsible for distributing the grants since 2011, received 71 applications from 27 organizations seeking more than SEK 45 million. Applications exceeded available funding by 61%.
“Outdoor organizations help people become active and belong to a social community, across all ages and social groups, wherever they live. We make an important contribution to society through better public health and lower healthcare costs. But organizations urgently need additional resources for long-term survival if we are to achieve Parliament’s outdoor recreation policy goals,” said Ulf Silvander, secretary-general of Svenskt Friluftsliv.
“Breddat friluftsliv aims to create greater diversity in outdoor activities within Scouterna. We offer scout leaders training in different activities so they have a stronger outdoor foundation and feel confident leading their scouts through a range of exciting and challenging experiences,” said Josef Hegart, Scouterna’s project manager for outdoor training.
Grant criteria included supporting simple, nature-based and sustainable outdoor recreation; promoting health, access and safe participation; developing children’s and young people’s interest in exercise and outdoor activities; or increasing knowledge of and consideration for natural and cultural environments and Sweden’s right of public access.
Photo: Magnus Frödeberg.
