Transforming Communities: How Safe Places is Empowering Youth and Reducing Litter
An innovative project funded by the Postcode Lottery is making remarkable strides in addressing littering and enhancing community spirit in some of Norrköping's disadvantaged areas. Spearheaded by Sweden's City Mission and Keep Sweden Tidy, the Safe Places initiative focuses on empowerment and education for young people, with great success in reducing litter by up to 58% in certain locations.
Through creative methods, such as the distribution of butt bins and implementing behavior-changing interventions, Safe Places is not only tackling litter issues but also creating opportunities for youth involvement in community-building activities.
One of the essential components of the project is the Safe Places homework help and leadership program. This program provides a structured environment where young people can study, receive academic assistance, and interact with supportive adults. Hanan Ahmed, who joined the homework help program at seventeen, shared her transformative experiences from being a hesitant participant to becoming a confident advocate for the program.
Hanan recalls her first visit, saying, "Sure, the sandwiches were good at the homework help and the people working there were nice. But when they suggested I come back, I thought it would never happen because I had too much else to do." However, just two weeks later, she returned and discovered that her initial doubts were unfounded.
"The teachers at school asked us questions because they had to, but no one was really interested. Here at Safe Places, I have met adults that I can actually trust for a change. It’s clear that they truly want the best for us," she explained. The sense of security and trust gained through this program led her to blossom from being 'the invisible girl' into someone who is now more vocal and engaged.
Hanan's transformation embodies the impact the Safe Places initiative aims to have. "It feels like Safe Places has been a part of much of my journey. It has opened new sides of me... I want them to give this to even more people," she stated passionately, encouraging other young people to seek help just as she did.
The ambitious project, initiated by City Mission and Keep Sweden Tidy, has garnered substantial financial support from the Postcode Lottery, which awarded 242 million kronor to several initiatives in 2022. This funding allows nonprofits to share in the billion surplus generated by the lottery, which aims to facilitate social investments and encourage collaboration to foster positive community changes.
Martin Callmeryd, project leader for Safe Places, expressed his hopes for the program's expansion: "We see how more and more actors want to be part of supporting their local community through the work of Safe Places. It’s a testament to the fact that we are doing things that really make a difference for disadvantaged areas and the people living there."
Thus, through comprehensive support and active youth engagement, Safe Places emerges not only as a solution to littering but also as a cornerstone for youth development and community enhancement in Norrköping.
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