RegioStars 2012 - CITYSTAR: SÖM - A new start for deprived city neighbourhoods

There is no simple solution for regenerating run-down urban areas. But in South East Malmö, Sweden, a neighbourhood with a population of 80 000, the SÖM project offered an outstanding example of how measures working together can bring new hope to a depressed community. The project started by analysing the needs of local people in four of Malmö’s poorer areas. This generated 10 projects on issues such as social integration, local growth and job creation. Partnership was key to success, so the project built a network of public and private participants; contacting businesses, universities, property owners, NGOs and community groups. Within a year, they created a coordination platform to ensure the best use of EU structural funding. Winner of the RegioStars 2012 Award, Citystar category