Nature, Culture and Community in Tumleberg

What does it take to create a vibrant rural community? In Tumleberg, the answer was an active community association and strong local engagement. Since its founding in 2017, the association Naturkraft Tumleberg has transformed a neglected natural area into a popular visitor destination, renovated the community hall, and created a wide range of activities that strengthen social connections and contribute to a thriving countryside.

The hub of Naturkraft Tumleberg is the community hall located just outside the small village of Tumleberg, on the border between the municipalities of Vara and Essunga. When the association took over the building, it was in great need of renovation. Today, it has become a vibrant meeting place in the countryside. It hosts member dinners and art exhibitions, a small library has found its home on the old stage, and study circles, soup lunches, and many other activities are regularly organized there.

But nothing happens on its own. Anders Ebbesson, Rolf Söder, and Johan Rundkvist are all active members of the association’s board. Together with Maria Alnestrand, who handles the administration, they gladly share the story of the journey that has led to the thriving community organization they are proud of today.

“For us, it is important that everyone feels welcome in our activities, and we strive to offer a broad range of opportunities for people to get involved. We are also looking ahead and asking what role a community hall can play in the future. One idea we are exploring is establishing an emergency preparedness kitchen in the building’s basement. It could be used for courses in food preservation, such as making jams, cordials, and preserved foods,” says Anders Ebbesson.

“It is also important to us that our activities appeal to people of all generations. When we organize our popular quiz walks at Christmas and Easter, we naturally include questions for both children and adults,” adds Maria Alnestrand.

The quiz walks, along with many other activities, take place a short distance from the community hall in the natural area that the association is responsible for maintaining. The area features hiking trails and mountain bike tracks, as well as an outdoor gym, a barbecue area, and a small stage. It attracts approximately 15,000 visitors each year, while also serving as a valued recreational space for local residents throughout the year.

Within a 10-Minute Bike Ride of the Community Hall

Who should come to the community hall? That was one of the questions the board asked themselves when the association was established nearly a decade ago. Their conclusion was that anyone living within a 10-minute bike ride of the building should have an interest in taking part in activities in and around it.

“We requested data from Statistics Sweden and were quite surprised to find that 735 people lived within that distance,” says Anders Ebbesson.

Today, the association has around 250 members. In addition to the board, there is also an events group that takes care of the practical arrangements for the association’s activities.

“There can be a perception that it is difficult to become part of a rural community, but I don’t think that is true. When I lived in Gothenburg, I barely knew my neighbours. Here, people keep better track of one another, and many step forward when something needs to be done. It creates a wonderful sense of community,” says Maria Alnestrand.

“At the same time, people engage in different ways. We have members who complete a quiz walk on their own and feel very involved, while others devote a great deal of time and energy to the association’s work. Everyone can choose their own level of involvement,” says Anders Ebbesson.

Activities Open to Everyone

Of course, you do not have to live in the area or be a member of the association to take part in what is happening in Tumleberg. Several times a year, the community hall opens its doors for events organized by the association itself or in collaboration with other local organizations. One of the highlights is a large flea market and craft trail held every January together with neighboring associations. The event attracts visitors from across Skaraborg, Gothenburg, and several other parts of the region.

Part of the association’s success can be attributed to the support systems available to non-profit organizations in Skaraborg. Naturkraft Tumleberg has successfully applied for and received project funding for a number of initiatives, including grants from the Sparbanksstiftelsen Skaraborg and Leader Nordvästra Skaraborg. These contributions have helped the association develop both its facilities and activities, enabling it to continue creating opportunities for community engagement and rural development.

“We Are Creative and Have Plenty of Ideas”

So, what is the next project for Naturkraft Tumleberg? There is certainly no shortage of ideas among the board members.

“Our goal is to be a non-profit association that is passionate about promoting the development of nature, culture, and local enterprise in our beautiful area. We are creative and have plenty of ideas for the future! Right now, we are running a study circle on local history, and we have organized information sessions on AI aimed at older adults. We also want to help reduce involuntary loneliness in rural communities and create activities for young people. In addition, we are exploring the possibility of establishing a forum where associations across Skaraborg can exchange experiences and learn from one another. And our board will be taking part in a workshop on inclusive and reflective practices. It is important that we are willing to examine our own organization critically in order to continue developing,” concludes Anders Ebbesson.

This text has been translated with the help of AI.