While they may appear to be ordinary seating at first glance, the true purpose behind these restored beauties is to create spaces that foster dialogue and community building. Affectionately nicknamed "friendship benches" by Skellefteå municipality in a recent press release, these benches aim to spark casual interactions, ranging from everyday chit-chat to deeper discussions.
– Encounters between people are crucial, says Lina Tjärnström, a public health strategist with Skellefteå municipality.
–These benches become both a symbol and a facilitator of those connections – a place to chatabout everyday life, but also to be brave and share our feelings.
This project is a collaborative effort between Skellefteå municipality, Coompanion Västerbotten, Urkraft, and Studiefrämjandet, and aligns with the broader initiative "Viable Cities, Climate-Neutral Skellefteå 2030."
Similar successful programs have been implemented in other countries around the world.