In connection with the construction of the greenhouse in Frövi, the collaboration between the RegEnergy Foundation’s project company, RegEnergy Frövi AB, and local public authorities in Sweden has created a model for how partnerships can transform communities.
The collaboration, which began in 2022, has already resulted in over 100 new jobs and significant structural changes that benefit both the local economy and the community as a whole.
When RegEnergy Frövi acquired a 32-hectare site in 2022 for the construction of a large greenhouse project that would produce tomatoes by recycling industrial surplus heat, a collaboration with Region Örebro and Lindesberg municipality also began.
Where a normal collaboration ends with the completion of the transaction and takeover of the building site, this collaboration was only the beginning. The project required a long-term plan, as it needed to be integrated into the local community on several levels, including infrastructure, education, and housing.
With the establishment of over 100 jobs in a community like Frövi, it quickly became clear that the project would necessitate several structural changes. To attract and retain labor, it was necessary to consider several factors such as school places, housing development, and improved infrastructure.
RegEnergy Frövi AB, under the leadership of CEO Ingrid Schuster, therefore took the initiative to establish a comprehensive project plan that not only focused on the company’s needs but also on supporting local and national action plans. This initiative was positively received by the municipality, and a task force with relevant stakeholders was set up to ensure a coordinated effort. Regarding the task force’s mission, Ingrid Schuster says:
“The task force conducted an analysis of the local conditions. Here, elements such as demographics, mobility, housing conditions, educational needs, and infrastructure were examined with the aim of, among other things, best attracting and retaining labor. For example, the task force found that there was a need for a bus stop by the greenhouse. As a result of this, work is now underway to create a stop to ensure that employees can easily get to and from work every day.”
The recruitment of employees for the greenhouse also became a central part of the collaboration with the municipality. In January 2024, the first 30 people were hired to complete the greenhouse construction, and it is worth noting that the majority have remained in permanent positions. This successful recruitment process has since led to an additional 70 hires at FoodVentures, which operates the greenhouse.
An example of a success story related to recruitment in Frövi is the story of an employee who came to Sweden seven years ago and has not been able to find work. Now he is responsible for forklift driving and actively contributes to the company’s daily operations. His wife has also been hired in the greenhouse, and their story is proof of how strategic recruitment can create value for both the company and the local community.
The successful collaboration between RegEnergy Frövi and Lindesberg municipality has also gained attention at the national level. This has resulted in the publication of a report from Research Institutes of Sweden AB (RISE) titled:
THE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY 2.0: MODEL FOR INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL SYMBIOSES.
The report analyzes the collaboration that has taken place in Frövi and outlines a future framework for cooperation between private companies and public authorities.
The CEO of RegEnergy Frövi AB, Ingrid Schuster, was also invited to participate in a panel debate during Almedalsveckan, Sweden’s answer to the Folkemødet in Bornholm. The debate, titled: Who builds the community in the new industrialization, emphasized the broad support and interest that the project has generated.
The RegEnergy Frövi project stands as an example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can create lasting changes in a local community. The project demonstrates that with the right planning and close cooperation, companies can not only deliver on green goals but also contribute to the UN’s goals for sustainable development by creating local jobs and strengthening the community. Thus, this project is not only a success in itself but also a model for future collaborations in Sweden and internationally.
The purpose of the Selected RegEnergy fund is the establishment of, among other things, greenhouses where the utilization of waste products from industrial production is used for sustainable food and biomaterial production.
The project in Frövi is the fund’s first, and here a 100,000 m2 large greenhouse has been established in Frövi, Sweden. The greenhouse will annually produce 8,000 tons of tomatoes using surplus heat from a nearby factory. The heating of the greenhouse is completely circular, as hot water is circulated through pipes in the greenhouse to heat it, after which the cooled water is returned to the factory.
An investment in the Selected RegEnergy fund is a long-term investment with an average annual return of +15% per year.
Selected RegEnergy’s risk classification is 6 out of 7 according to the fund’s Key Information Document (KID), and you can read the document with central information here.
Read more about the fund here.
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