– The ministry grants from Leader Gute have meant a lot for Akebäcks community center – and for the activities that local residents conduct here through local associations. Thanks to the current ministry support ”Energy Savings for Meeting Places,” we have been able to purchase and install an air heat pump. It lowers energy costs, provides a better indoor climate, and is good for the environment.
It says Gun Pettersson, chair of Akebäcks Women's Association – one of the local associations that increasingly organizes activities in the community center.
When Leader Gute visits, preparations are made for baking Gotland loaves in a stone oven and gingerbread baking with families in the village, and the new air heat pump ensures a pleasant warmth and air in the premises.
– We applied for and received Leader Gute's ministry support on the theme ”Energy Savings for Meeting Places.” With the support of 24,000 kronor, we were able to purchase and install the air heat pump, Gun explains.
– This lowers heating costs. Generally, the savings can be up to about 75 percent with this type of installation. Moreover, it is good for the environment to contribute to reduced energy consumption.
Better indoor climate
The air heat pump is set to a base temperature of ten degrees when the premises are not in use, and before activities, it is adjusted to the desired temperature.
– We are learning exactly how to manage the system. A couple of important advantages of this installation are that it is possible to direct the air heat flow, that the temperature becomes more even, and that the system has a filter that purifies the air. It results in a much better indoor climate, Gun explains.
Image: Gun Pettersson, Akebäcks Women's Association, shows the newly installed air heat pump to Sven Sandström, board member of Leader Gute and chair of the decision committee that assesses incoming applications for ministry support. The ministry support ”Energy Savings for Meeting Places” is still available to apply for.
Previous ministry support part of the development
Through previous themes within Leader Gute's ministry support, Akebäcks community center has received outdoor furniture, a projector with a screen, and an improved kitchen with a new stove, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher.
– The various ministry grants from Leader Gute are an important part of the development of Akebäcks community center – together with voluntary efforts from the local population. The improvements allow us to organize more activities and utilize the community center better for all ages, says Gun.
– It has been so easy and smooth to apply for ministry support from Leader Gute. And it is quick to get a decision on whether the application is approved or not.
Image: – It has been so easy and smooth to apply for ministry support from Leader Gute. And it is quick to get a decision on whether the application has been approved or not, and the ministry support comes almost immediately after the final report, says Gun Pettersson. Here in the community center's kitchen, which was renewed with a previous ministry support.
More and more activities year-round
The gingerbread baking with families this December is an example of new activities, and soon there will be rehearsals with a newly formed local choir.
In the community center, people sometimes gather for spontaneous and communal lunches, and every spring, the parishioners meet for a thorough cleaning of the community center and have a lovely dinner together. Then, of course, there is the big annual Botair festival, in memory of Botair who, according to legend, built the first Christian church in Gotland at Kulstäde in Valls parish.
The local associations and parishioners have also cleared and beautified the community center's garden, and arranged a sandbox and a grill area. This has made it so that more and more families with children are coming here.
– Here we have grill evenings and parties during the summer months. We have a ghost trail at Halloween, pizza night, and Walpurgis Night celebration. The community center is truly the meeting point of the parish, says Gun.
– We are happy to be able to offer opportunities for Gotland's rural areas through mini-projects – and passionate individuals like Gun and the Women's Association – to develop their communities into even better places to live and reside, says Sven Sandström, a board member of Leader Gute and chair of the decision committee that assesses incoming applications for mini-support.
About Akebäck and the community center:
- In Akebäck parish, there are currently just under 100 residents, the average age is about 44 years, and the number of families with children has increased.
- The community center has previously been a school and parish hall and is owned by the Romkloster parish. Through an agreement between the church and the local heritage association, it is used, among other things, by the Women's Association, the fiber association, and a group working on water issues in Akebäck. Additionally, the house is rented out for various activities organized by others.