Socio-ecological resilience in smaller communities – A case study of a rural hub in Sweden

Abstract

Amid growing global uncertainty, including war, extreme weather events, and resource instability, self-sufficiency and resilience become crucial. Socio-ecological resilience refers to the capacity of communities to regenerate ecological systems while fostering social cohesion and adaptability. This study aims to establish mechanisms contributing to socio-ecological resilience in a rural setting. A qualitative case study approach is employed, with data collection through interviews, site visits, and document reviews. The case is a Rural Resilience Hub in Southern Sweden with a network of interconnected self-sufficiency initiatives contributing to both resilience and sustainability. The hub currently hosts a supermarket, a cafe, library services, elderly care facilities, art gallery, social and meeting spaces, and sports facilities. Planned activities include a circular system with locally produced solar electricity, aquaponic fish farming, tomato cultivation, and biofuel generation. Another circular initiative is the adaptive reuse of a vacant school building for short-term accommodation, with potential use as a crisis shelter. These creative efforts are aligned with circular economy, adaptive capacity and known social sustainability impacts, such as generating local employment. By reimagining infrastructure and embedding resilience in everyday life, the hub unlocks possibilities for empowerment and self-sufficiency. The study provides a grounded example of socio-ecological resilience in an uncertain world.