Lumena Conecto has an established Strategic Reference Group. It contributes to our work on strategic advocacy and policy change. The Strategic Reference Group is set up for its engagement in our issues and for its ability to influence and change.

Here is a presentation of the members of the the Strategic Reference Group:

Arja Kallo

I am deputy head of operations at Adult Education Stockholm and immediately agreed to participate in the strategic reference group. The approach and content of the project was innovative and attractive. Arja has extensive experience with income support, labour market issues, new arrivals and adult education in the City of Stockholm, and has participated in several ESF projects. Arja sees the projects' contribution to increasing knowledge about evidence-based approaches, methods and their implementation as a great opportunity to improve the quality of these efforts.

Mr Bengt Eklund

With a long professional career as a trainer, supervisor, inspirer and developer of the supported employment method, Bengt works to develop and ensure methods and competences in long-term rehabilitation work. He wants to inspire courage and to dare to develop new tracks in the existing method work. Bengt hopes that Lumena Conecto will contribute to an increased understanding of what is required for a sustainable approach, and an increased consensus on what the good society should look like in terms of sustainability, inclusion and more.

Leonard Kihlgren

As process leader in Greater Stockholm, Leonard sees an opportunity to capture municipal issues for the county in the strategic reference group. Leonard contributes with his knowledge of what is being done about mental health and suicide prevention at county level, and sees an opportunity to find issues/areas where collaboration between the municipality and the region needs to be improved. Possibly also cooperation and collaboration on training initiatives linked to mental health and suicide prevention.

For Lumena Conecto, there is the chance of personalised support for local residents who are far from work or study and that Lumena Conecto can contribute to all interventions/activities implemented.

Annika Olsson

Annika participates in the group based on her work as a sustainability strategist in social sustainability in Region Stockholm. She sees her participation as an opportunity to take input home to her own organisation and spread information about the projects to relevant people.

Annika hopes that Lumena Conecto will help to ensure that individuals' skills are put to good use and that they can be matched to the labour market. Increased knowledge development in the participating organisations and also outside them is another important part of the initiative.

Sophia Dahlgren

Through her participation in the group, Sophia wants to contribute with her experience, and draw on the input and experience of others in the group.

Sophia is the head of the coordination association Roslagen and brings a broad experience into the group, with ten years of experience as head of the association, experience of previous ESF projects MIA, MIA Further, Consensio, Dirigo and knowledge from long collaboration with the 6 northeast municipalities. Lumena Conecto hopes to provide data and research that will facilitate the impact of the projects' issues, methods and target groups.

Annica Falk

Annica is the head of Samsund, one of the county's Co-ordination Associations, and thinks it is important to publicise the important work that the projects do. As head of the association, Annica sees an opportunity to spread the knowledge to the members of her own association. Lumena Conecto also energises Annica when she sees that we can make a real difference. Through the projects, we can improve the everyday lives of those we serve. Something that ultimately results in a more accessible and inclusive labour market.

Other participants

Further participants will be presented here shortly.

The Strategic Reference Group also includes our accompanying researcher, read more about them (link).