Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In Sweden many local development groups (LDG’s) have been formed at the village level during last 40 years. This thesis started as an investigation of the conditions for the appearance of these groups and possible explanations on why these groups emerged and spread in Sweden in contrast to Russia where such groups are exceptional. Before the field study the understanding was that LDGs were formed with the aim to develop the villages. After two case studies in two contrasting villages it became clear that the members of the studied LDGs perceived their activities more as “preservation“ rather than “development“. The study shifted to investigate also how these groups and their members constructed their identity, how they understand themselves, motivate their actions according to their understandings and how the groups changed over time. The two groups under investigation were formed in 1971 and their emergence was connected to the municipality reform. At that time other groups and association existed in Swedish villages and the formation of a new one was considered as normal. It was found that these groups were formed in order to save aspects of what were seen to be the village identity as significant places in the country’s history which should not be forgotten. These two local groups differ in structure, organization and tactics which reflect their geographical locations and circumstances and have evolved over time in different ways. It is suggested that the idea of the local village groups has been used by national organization “All Sweden shall live” to construct a village action movement with the agenda of local development.