The three-year SPIRA project in Gnesta reached 113 young people who were neither working nor studying, compared with a target of 75. The external final evaluation says 41% moved into study and 21% into work. The project ended in August, but the municipality is carrying parts of the approach into its statutory youth activity responsibility.
What happened?
SPIRA Sörmland ran from 2023 to 2026 in six municipalities in Södermanland and was co-financed by the European Social Fund. In Gnesta, coordinators worked with other services and organisations to provide support adapted to each participant.
Of the 113 participants, 48 entered through outreach work. Forty-six came through the municipal activity responsibility, KAA. These groups cannot necessarily be added as separate categories, so the figures describe routes into the project rather than participants beyond the total of 113.
The evaluation reports that 41% progressed to study and 21% to work. Together that is 62%, or just over six in ten. The figure describes participants' next status but does not by itself establish how much of the change was caused solely by the project.
Location
Gnesta, Södermanland
Impact and significance
The project's target group was broader than KAA. KAA is the municipality's statutory responsibility for people under 20 who are not attending or have not completed upper-secondary school, whereas SPIRA could also reach young adults outside that remit. This distinction matters when comparing results or seeking support after the project.
The municipality identifies individual adaptation and proactive outreach as central features. For some participants the next step was education, for others employment, while some first needed help with other aspects of life. The final evaluation highlights Gnesta's reach beyond its target.
Background
KAA must remain informed about eligible young people's situations and offer individual measures, primarily to encourage them to begin or resume education. SPIRA was time-limited, separately funded and broader in scope. The end of SPIRA therefore does not end the municipality's statutory KAA responsibility.
Latest update
From week 39, KAA will have a new study room adapted for neurodevelopmental needs, intended to provide a calmer and more accessible support setting. The service will also continue developing cooperation with other municipal units. These regular structures, rather than an extension of SPIRA, will now carry the lessons forward.
Sources
Related analysis
Reviewed: 2026-09-08. Independent editorial content. WUA Sverige is not affiliated with any political party.