my attitude

The project Support My Attitude, run by Ahlafors IF, grew out of a clear insight that many young people – especially those who are not attracted by traditional activities such as football or after-school clubs – risk ending up in exclusion. The background to the project is rooted in a growing concern about how gang crime and social insecurity are spreading, and the need for early, preventive interventions. The Ale Attitude initiative was started in 2019 in collaboration between Ahlafors IF and Nödinge SK. The experiences from there confirmed the need for a local model where sports clubs collaborate with schools, municipalities, social services, police and business to reach young people who otherwise risk ending up outside of community and faith in the future. With support from the Västra Götaland Region and Leader along the Göta River, this work was formalized and developed further during the project period.

The core of the project has been to offer youth groups where the focus is on conversation, reflection and relationship building – not performance. The groups, divided into girls and boys, met regularly for a number of weeks where young people could talk about their lives, dreams and challenges. Within the framework of the project, a complete training package was developed, together with a brand profile, film and graphic material. A test establishment of the model was also carried out in Surte together with Surte IS, which provided invaluable lessons on how the model can be scaled up in new locations.

70 young people participated in the project

The results of the project were extensive. Eleven youth groups were implemented in Nödinge and two in Surte. Training was carried out to retain leaders and coordinators, as well as inspirational lectures. A feasibility study on an educational hub at Sjövallen was initiated and driven forward. A total of around 70 young people participated in the training during the project period. Although this was fewer than the target, it was considered a qualitative gain because more participants were able to attend two semesters, which led to better anchoring and results.

After the end of the project, the youth groups in Nödinge will continue. Dialogues are being held with interested associations and municipalities around the country, while Ahlafors IF and Nödinge SK continue to develop and spread the model. The project has established My Attitude as a registered trademark and created structures for continued skills transfer and local involvement. According to the project management, this work could not have been carried out to the same extent without the support from Leader – both organizationally and financially.

The project has shown that associations can play a crucial role in creating security, community and faith in the future among young people. It has built bridges between civil society and public actors and shown a concrete alternative to the path of exclusion. The goal is that more places in Sweden will be able to benefit from the model and contribute to a more inclusive and secure society.

Project manager Claes Berglund

”"Daring to start a process is almost always a success factor, it makes things happen. Doing nothing creates no development or joy."”