Creating an attractive city center is not something one actor can achieve alone. When Skellefteå was named the City Center of the Year 2026, a long-term collaboration was highlighted as one of the key success factors.
For Skebo, this is evident both in the urban environment and in the daily lives of tenants.
When the news came that Skellefteå had been named the City Center of the Year 2026, there was great joy among the many actors who had contributed over the years.
– It's certainly a joy when something you have worked for gets recognized. However, the most important thing is not the award itself, but everything that has happened along the way. The work has yielded results regardless of whether we had won or not, says Anna Ersson, Customer and Marketing Manager at Skebo.
For Skebo, it was natural to be part of the effort.
– Our vision is to be Skellefteå's leading community developer. It feels natural to engage in issues that strengthen the whole city, she says.
Many improvements can be noticed by those who visit central Skellefteå regularly. This includes swift graffiti removal, better lighting, safer areas, and various activities that make the center more lively.
An important part of the work has been the so-called Collaboration Million. The initiative involves property owners, businesses, and the municipality jointly financing investments that create added value in the city center.
– It has allowed us to implement things that might not have happened otherwise. It could involve events, lighting, decorations, or other initiatives that make the center more pleasant.
According to Anna, the biggest reward is not the individual projects.
– We have come much closer to each other. There are more points of contact between different actors, and it has become easier to find collaborations and shared solutions, she believes.
The award is a testament to the value of working together.
– This demonstrates what happens when many share the same goal and are willing to contribute. It's something the whole Skellefteå can be proud of.
Facts: City Center of the Year
- The award is presented by Swedish City Centers.
- The purpose is to recognize cities that have successfully developed their city center through collaboration between public and private actors.
- Skellefteå was awarded the City Center of the Year 2026. Last year, Halmstad won the prize.
- The jury highlighted the city's strong culture of collaboration, long-term approach, and joint investments in safety, well-being, and attractiveness.