The general heritage fund is an important support for civil society in general. For the sports movement, it is above all the fund’s local support that contributes to the association life having the opportunity to conduct business and grow. In 2023, the Allmänna arvsfonden distributed just under SEK 763 million. Just over 235 million (30 percent) of this went to the so-called local support within 83 projects. The support is distributed throughout Sweden – both for projects in cities and in the countryside. However, local support has not been covered by the National Audit Office’s review.
– Through the local support, significant funds are pushed from the General Heritage Fund to create more and better sports surfaces around the country. Of course, tax funds must be used correctly and it is good to continuously review and evaluate various activities. Local support has not been included in the National Audit Office’s review, but if it were removed, we would have less access to sports facilities. Rather, we see that the needs are so great that more funds are needed, says Anna Iwarsson, president of the Swedish Sports Confederation.
The National Audit Office published its review report today, March 5, and recommends that the current system with the General Inheritance Fund be phased out and that a new system be introduced to manage the inheritance of people without heirs and a will. Local support, which is one of the Allmänna arvsfonden’s supports, has not been covered by the review.
There are many good examples of how the local support from the General Heritage Foundation has created areas that make it possible for sports associations to develop their activities and receive more people. In Piteå, a motorsport association will reasphalt the karting track to make the surface smoother and safer for younger ages. In Älmhult, a shooting association can renovate a building so that they can operate all year round instead of just in the summer. And in Essunga in Västra Götaland, an association can activate more people in the countryside through a new multi-arena that functions as both a place for physical activity but also as a meeting place to create community.
– The scope of the initiatives that received local support from the Allmänna arvsfonden is impressive. It is both about simpler renovation efforts that make it possible to welcome more people to create meeting places that promote an entire district’s sense of community and belonging. The majority of sports associations that receive local support have, in addition to support from the Allmänna arvsfonden, also received support from both the municipality and the Swedish Sports Confederation’s facility support, says Anna Iwarsson.
A survey conducted by the National Sports Confederation shows that every other association states that there is a need for renovation of existing sports areas and that one in four sports associations has challenges with a lack of sports areas. The challenge is even greater for associations that have children and youth activities, where a third of the associations answer that there is a lack of time and space. The consequence is that associations are forced to refuse new members and that children and young people have to stand in a queue to participate in the activities.
– In order for the sports movement to continue to be a strong and positive force in society, it needs a place to be. That sports associations have reliable access to places for sports is a fundamental prerequisite for a strong association life in Sweden. Today, our biggest challenge is lack of space and lack of sports surfaces, says Anna Iwarsson.
For more information contact
Anna Iwarsson
Chairman of the National Sports Confederation and SISU Sports Trainers
076-344 50 60