Safety and security are about more than technology, surveillance and preparedness. For Project Playground, creating a safer society starts with providing children and young people with safe environments, educational opportunities and hope for the future. As Social Impact Partner of SKYDD 2026, the organisation aims to highlight the importance of preventive social initiatives in building a safer society.
Early intervention builds hope for the future
Project Playground is a non-profit organisation founded in 2010 by HRH Princess Sofia and Frida Vesterberg. The organisation works to empower children and young people, particularly in disadvantaged communities, by providing safe environments, supportive adults and meaningful activities.
Through after-school programmes, support for leisure activities and holiday programmes, Project Playground supports children and young people from an early age and throughout their development. Its approach combines social support with educational opportunities through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), with ongoing initiatives designed to spark curiosity and open doors to education and future careers.
“In many disadvantaged communities, there is a gap between the needs of children and young people and the resources available to them. Through early intervention and long-term relationships, we aim to prevent social exclusion, crime and mental health problems.”
The organisation also highlights the recruitment of young people, unequal opportunities and limited pathways into education and employment as major societal challenges. As these issues are often interconnected, addressing them requires initiatives that strengthen both social and educational opportunities. Equally important is ensuring that children and young people feel a sense of belonging, receive the support they need to succeed at school and have a say in initiatives that affect their lives.
The role of business: Beyond financial support
Long-term change requires collaboration between public authorities, civil society and the business community. According to Project Playground, companies can contribute far more than financial support.
By sharing their expertise, networks and employees’ time through mentoring and other forms of engagement, businesses can open doors to education, work placements, part-time jobs and future careers. Through STEAM initiatives, they can also share their knowledge and inspire an interest in technology, learning and the professions of the future.
One example of this collaboration is Impact Youth, an initiative run by Project Playground together with several other youth organisations, supported by Skandia through Skandia Idéer för Livet.
Impact Youth focuses on personal development, leadership, networking and community engagement. It is based on the Inner Development Goals, linked to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and particularly aims to reach young people who are not involved in organised youth activities and are at risk of social exclusion.
“Young people are involved throughout the entire process, from planning to implementation, and are offered coaching and youth leadership training. They also receive compensation for their work in the planning process, gaining valuable experience and qualifications for the future. Through this collaboration, more young people are given opportunities to grow, make a difference and find their place in society.”
A broader perspective on societal security
As Social Impact Partner of SKYDD 2026, Project Playground aims to bring a preventive social perspective to the discussion on safety and security. The organisation emphasises that the conditions in which children and young people grow up are an important part of societal security, and that action must be taken before social exclusion and destructive choices take hold.
No single organisation can create a safer society on its own. For Project Playground, SKYDD therefore offers an opportunity to meet businesses, public authorities and organisations, exchange experiences and explore how collaboration can strengthen preventive efforts. The shared ambition is to create better conditions for a safer society.
Attend Project Playground’s session at SKYDD 2026
Join the session “Project Playground: The Power of Investing in the Next Generation”, exploring preventive initiatives and social sustainability. Speaker: Rissa Seidou
Thursday 22 October, 12:35–12:55 | Totalförsvarscenen, A29:40