Project Playground

A school year with Skärholmen Tillsammans💚

This school year, Project Playground Sweden has coordinated Skärholmen Tillsammans, a joint initiative led by us, with support from Gålöstiftelsen, in close collaboration with Skärholmens stadsdelsförvaltning and a strong and amazing network of local associations.

Together, we have created opportunities for children and young people across Skärholmen through after-school activities at every municipal primary school in the district, as well as Winter Camp, Spring Camp and a range of other activities. The demand has remained strong throughout the year, highlighting the need for accessible and structured free-time opportunities for children and young people in the area.

The past year has brought a wide range of activities, new experiences and new connections. Children and young people have had the chance to try different sports and activities, meet local organisations and spend time in safe and welcoming environments close to home.

The last few weeks have been a good way to round off the school year. We have met with the collaborating organisations to reflect on the year, share insights and start planning for Summer Camp in July and the upcoming autumn term.

At its core, Skärholmen Tillsammans is about working together to make it easier for children and young people to take part in meaningful activities and become part of community life.

As the school year comes to an end, we want to thank Skärholmens stadsdelsförvaltning, Gålöstiftelsen and all the associations and partners who have contributed throughout the year.

We look forward to continuing the work together🧩

We’re proud to introduce Playground Talks, a new initiative by Project Playground created to bring young voices into direct dialogue with people whose life experiences can inspire, challenge and broaden perspectives.

The aim is simple, but important: to create a space where young people can ask questions, share reflections, and explore real-life perspectives in an open and respectful setting guided by conversation rather than presentation.

The first Playground Talks session took place in Hallonbergen, where young participants gathered with Project Playground staff for an afternoon of dialogue and reflection. Our first guest was police officer Clarisse Jaures, who shared insights from her personal journey and professional experience, with a focus on her work related to youth, safety and community.

The conversation moved between personal questions and broader societal themes such as belonging, identity, pressure, trust and group dynamics, exploring how situations can shift depending on environment and the people around you. Through guided discussions and real-life scenarios, the group reflected on the influence of peers, the complexity of everyday choices, and how challenging, yet important, it can be to stand by your own values.

This is just the beginning of Playground Talks. A space for exchange and reflection, where young people are not only part of the conversation, but can also draw on these perspectives in their everyday lives and in their roles as Project Playground youth ambassadors, supporting and interacting with younger participants.

A big thank you to Clarisse Jaures for generously sharing her time and experiences, to the young participants for their openness and reflections, and to Jens Strömblad for moderating the conversation and creating a safe and thoughtful space for dialogue🧩

We are inspired to see the conversation around meaningful spare time and its connection to children's mental health and wellbeing highlighted at the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures conference, where Project Playground South Africa partnered with Tim Bergling Foundation, an organisation leading important work to raise awareness and strengthen efforts around mental health and young people’s wellbeing.

The importance of safe, structured and meaningful activities in children’s lives is something we see every day in our work at Project Playground.

A powerful story shared in this context came from a young Project Playground participant describing how structured play has shaped his childhood, turning football into more than just an activity, but into a safe space, a support system, and a positive direction in life.

We are grateful to everyone contributing to this growing dialogue on how we can create better conditions for children and young people to thrive, and to the for Life Course Health Research for hosting us!💚

We’re proud to announce that Project Playground will once again join Skydd - Nordens största säkerhetsmässa 2026, this year as a Social Impact Partner.

For the second time, we’re part of one of the Nordics’ leading meeting places for safety and security. SKYDD brings together industry, public sector and civil society in Stockholm (20-22 October 2026) to exchange knowledge, build partnerships and explore how we can collectively contribute to a safer and more resilient society.

Our partnership with SKYDD is about keeping a clear social perspective present in the discussion, focusing on people, communities and the conditions in which children and young people grow up, as well as long-term societal development alongside the security sector.

Together with Stockholmsmässan and SKYDD, we aim to strengthen dialogue across public, private and non-profit actors, and explore how collaboration can move from discussion to real-world impact. Not as a side conversation, but as an integrated part of how we think about safety, responsibility and long-term societal development.

During the Expo you’ll find us in SKYDD’s project space, on stage in a dedicated session, and meeting exhibitors and partners across the expo. We’re there to connect, listen and continue the conversations, both before and during the event.

If you’re attending SKYDD 2026, feel free to reach out ahead of time or come by and say hello on site. And keep an eye out, we’ll share more details soon about where and how to find us at the event.

More about the Expo: https://skydd.net/
More about Project Playground: https://www.project-playground.org/

A few weeks ago, we continued our STEAM initiative together with our engaged partner SEB, who hosted two inspiring workshops for students from Vittra Brotorp. The sessions took place in SEB’s Solna office and were designed to connect learning, creativity, and real-world societal challenges through hands-on experiences.

Across both workshops, students were invited into different perspectives on innovation, economy, and society. One group worked in teams to develop their own “future companies”, tackling real societal challenges through ideas that combined creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Another group explored themes such as value, ownership, and saving through interactive exercises that sparked reflection on how everyday decisions connect to long-term opportunities. As part of the experience, the students were also invited on a guided art tour through SEB’s office, exploring how art and culture can inspire creativity and new perspectives.

Our STEAM initiative combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics to give young people practical opportunities to explore creativity, collaboration, and future-oriented thinking through real-world challenges and experiences.

As SEB representative Matilda Gullbo shared:

“Initiativ som kombinerar alla delar inom STEAM utvecklar kreativitet, problemlösning och kritiskt tänkande - kompetenser som är avgörande i ett snabbt föränderligt samhälle. Genom att kombinera teknik, konst och samhällsperspektiv får unga en bredare förståelse för hur de kan bidra till både sin egen framtid och till en mer hållbar utveckling.”

Collaborations like this create valuable opportunities for students to engage with new ideas, perspectives, and environments beyond the classroom. By bringing together schools, partners, and professionals from different fields, the initiative helps make learning more tangible and gives students insight into how creativity, innovation, and critical thinking can be applied in real-world contexts.

A warm thank you to SEB for hosting valuable workshops and for generously sharing your time, knowledge, and space with the students as part of our STEAM initiative🧩💚

Graduations and other milestones mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another🎓✨

A piece from Project Playground’s gift shop is a simple way to acknowledge those moments while supporting our work with children and youth in Sweden and South Africa, helping create safe spaces, everyday activities and long-term opportunities.

The gift shop features a curated selection of items created in collaboration with our partners Emma Israelsson, Skultuna, IA BON and Shai Dahan, combining beautiful design with lasting quality.

Explore the gift shop here: https://www.project-playground.org/shop

A few weeks ago, we continued our STEAM initiative together with one of our main partners, Saab, through a hands-on workshop with year 9 students from Vittra Brotorp, one of our partner schools in Hallonbergen.

The day started with an inspiring session by astronaut Christer Fuglesang, who shared his experiences from space and what it takes to work in extreme environments. Saab’s team also gave the students insight into their work within innovation and development, connecting it to real-world engineering and future possibilities.

The students then took on the challenge “Chasing Air” - working in teams to design and build glider aircrafts using limited materials. Throughout the session, they tested and refined their designs, learning how creativity, problem-solving and collaboration drive innovation.

The workshop ended with a final flight challenge and a joint reflection on material choices, sustainability, teamwork and how this way of working can be applied in both school and future careers.

As Saab’s Head of Group Communication & Sustainability, Viktor Wallström, reflected on the importance of initiatives like this:

“I en värld av vikande intresse för STEAM-ämnena ser vi, bland annat i egenskap av Sveriges största arbetsgivare för ingenjörer, vikten av att fortsätta bygga det intresset och kunskapen på alla plan i samhället. Det har varit en framgångsfaktor för Sverige som nation och är anledningen till att vi har så många innovativa företag samt goda förutsättningar för en hållbar utveckling framåt.”

A big thank you to Saab for being a committed main partner to Project Playground, for actively taking part in our STEAM initiative, and for helping us create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect education with the real world.

Celebrate New Beginnings with Purpose✨

Graduations, school endings, student celebrations and summer team gatherings are coming up - moments that mark effort, growth and new chapters ahead.

If you’re looking for a gift for these occasions, a piece from the Project Playground shop is a simple way to combine appreciation with impact. Each item supports our work with children and youth in Sweden and South Africa, helping create safe spaces, meaningful activities and long-term opportunities.

It’s a way to give something tangible that also contributes to something bigger - ensuring more children have access to support, structure and a place where they can simply be children.

In the shop you’ll find carefully selected pieces from our valued partners Emma Israelsson, Skultuna, Ia Bon and Shai Dahan.

Explore the collection here: https://www.project-playground.org/shop

Looking back at the past few weeks at Project Playground South Africa we’re proud to see so many meaningful and impactful activities taking place 💛 Here’s a glimpse of some recent highlights:

Slides 1-2:
Our team in South Africa welcomed dedicated medical partners for a day focused on care, assessment, and understanding each child’s individual needs. A big thank you to UWC Faculty of Community & Health Sciences, Kheth Impilo organization, and the dental department at Tygerberg Hospital for your continued support!

Slide 3:
It’s home visit season at Project Playground SA. Through home visits, facilitators and coaches are building trust, strengthening relationships, and gaining deeper insight into each child’s environment, ensuring the right support reaches every family.

Slides 4-6:
Highlights from some of the many meaningful spare-time activities at the center, which are part of everyday life, creating space for children to simply be children and experience the joy, movement, and sense of community that comes with play and sport.

Slide 7-8:
In March, the social work department marked Social Work Month by hosting the annual Social Workers Mingle - bringing together social workers serving the Langa community for a moment of reflection, connection, and shared inspiration. An important reminder of the vital role they play in turning challenges into possibilities 💫

Don’t forget to follow Project Playground South Africa on instagram to stay updated on all the impactful programs, activities, and inspiring stories from the center: https://www.instagram.com/projplaygroundsa/