CHANGE HAPPENS IN RURAL AREAS

When we talk about the future of societal development, the focus often lands on cities and major innovation clusters. That’s where the people and ideas are, or so we’re told. That’s where innovation happens. Stockholm is a good example of an innovation and startup scene that garners a lot of attention for its successful companies and forward-thinking entrepreneurs. At Letavis, our experience tells a different story: some of the most courageous, sustainable, and grounded transformations are currently happening – beyond the borders of big cities.

The countryside is not just a place for recreation, production, or nostalgia. It’s a testbed for innovation and new thinking. It’s home to entrepreneurs, changemakers, and organizations that dare to think differently and act boldly – sometimes driven by curiosity, and other times by urgent challenges that need to be solved. These places may not always have the most resources – but they often have the strongest will and the kind of practical experience you can’t read about or workshop your way to.

The Strength of Small-Scale

In our work, we see how small towns and rural regions are achieving changes that large systems often struggle with. They operate closer to people, with shorter distances between ideas and action, and they are often quicker to respond. This creates space for long-term place development that is both sustainable and rooted in reality.

It’s not about copying big city solutions – it’s about finding the right solution for each place. It starts with what’s already there – the people, the landscape, the traditions, the resources – and building from that foundation.

AKIS – A Driver of Change

To enable this type of development, collaboration between different actors is crucial. Networks like AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems) play a key role here. AKIS connects farmers, researchers, advisors, and companies to promote knowledge exchange and innovation within agriculture.

At Letavis, we are part of AKIS by bringing research-based innovation to farmers. Our product Amoravis™ is the result of many years of scientific research, and our mission is to turn that knowledge into real-world impact. Through close collaboration with farmers – via field trials, ongoing dialogue, and adaptations – we ensure that the technology works in practice and delivers real results.

Our involvement in AKIS is still new, but we see great potential in becoming an active part of this broad network. By participating in industry networks and collaborating with researchers and advisors, we help build a more dynamic and collaborative innovation ecosystem – one where knowledge is not only shared but also developed. In doing so, we contribute to a stronger, more sustainable, competitive, and resilient agricultural sector in Sweden.

A New Narrative

To go all the way, we don’t just need the right support and resources – we also need new stories. If we constantly talk about the countryside as a place of problems, we miss out on the power that already exists there. We need to highlight the initiatives that are working and shine a light on the actors who are driving change – locally and sustainably.

Investing in the countryside is not an act of charity – it’s strategy.
It’s an investment in Sweden’s future – and one we’re proud to be part of.