ACTIVE AREA DEVELOPMENT WITHIN SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Area development within social sustainability has always been part of Balder’s operations and involves contributing positively, in various ways, to the local communities and areas where the company operates. In Sweden, the social initiatives mainly focus on activities that support children and young people in socio-economically vulnerable areas. In a number of locations in Sweden, Balder also has area developers who work specifically with these issues. 

The initiatives and activities carried out are adapted based on the conditions and needs of each property area. Some are implemented directly by Balder, while many are done in collaboration with others. The work is conducted in close cooperation with tenants and often in partnership with other local actors, such as municipalities, schools, the police, associations and local businesses.

Balder’s ambition is to drive real change and contribute to ensuring that none of our residential areas appear on the police list of vulnerable areas.

Sharam Rahi, Deputy CEO

Balder’s five social pillars

All initiatives are based on one of Balder’s five social pillars. Together, the pillars provide the framework and create a common approach for Balder’s social sustainability efforts.

• Employment: Activities to increase employability for all, and to create more long-term jobs and summer jobs.
  
  
• Education: Activities to help more young people leave school with complete grades, and activities to inspire them to pursue education.
  
  
• Meaningful leisure time: Local initiatives to contribute to equal opportunity leisure time. A strong focus on movement and public health (psychological and physical health).
  
  
• Safety and well-being: Activities to promote safety and well-being in the company’s property areas.
  
  
• Participation and influence: Balder’s tenants shall feel a sense of participation and influence over their homes, in their commercial premises or in the property area.
  
  

Area development at Balder

In Gothenburg, Stockholm and Sundsvall, we have employed area developers who work specifically with active area development through social activities. Activities are always carried out in dialogue with residents and often in cooperation with local or national partners. 

At national level, Balder collaborates with, among others, Nextar and Mitt Livs Val, who work to give young people better opportunities to shape their future and succeed in school and working life.

In Gothenburg, Balder is one of the partners in Handslag för Göteborg, a collaboration between the business community, property owners and the city, focusing on schools, leisure and employment. The purpose is to create a stronger future for Gothenburg and for everyone who lives there through positive area development. Balder is part of Handslag Bergsjön and Handslag Biskopsgården, together with the Volvo Group, Willhem, the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce, the Framtiden Group and the Hisingen Social Services Administration.

In Stockholm, we are a member of Samverkan i Huddinge – an association who aims to increase safety, attractiveness and wellbeing for residents. The association is an umbrella organisation for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in several districts of Huddinge, including Vårby, where Balder has properties. Through BID Vårby, we offer, for example, holiday internships in Unga för orten, and older youths are also given the opportunity to apply for holiday internships as group leaders.

In Sundsvall, we collaborate with Save the Children, which runs activities from a commercial premise in our residential area of Bredsand. The focus is on creating meaningful leisure opportunities for children and young people, strengthening social sustainability and increasing safety in the area through neighbour cooperation and the presence of responsible adults.