The Large Carnivore Dialogue Project

Local Dialogue Platforms: Background and Current Developments

Following an earlier project funded by the European Commission, Swedish national and regional platforms managing large carnivores identified a pressing need for dialogue at the local level. During the second phase of the project, the concept of local platforms was piloted in two areas. However, due to limited time and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, fully developing sustainable platforms proved difficult.

Despite these challenges, the experience in Västra Götaland and Värmland was positive, inspiring an application for continued funding from WWF Sweden. With funding secured for three years, the goal became to create and test six local platforms. Currently, four platforms are operational, one is being established in collaboration with an adult education NGO in Tidaholm, and another is under development in Dalarna County.

Overview of the Local Platforms

Falköping
This platform brings together hunters, livestock owners, conservationists, local politicians, county representatives, and other community members. The group focuses on the area between Falköping and Herrljunga in Västra Götaland County, where wolves have recently established themselves. Concerns include livestock protection and maintaining biodiversity, as many fear that the absence of livestock would lead to overgrowth and a loss of open landscapes.

Tidaholm
Close to Falköping, Tidaholm shares similar issues. Residents initiated contact with the adult education NGO Vuxenskola Studieförbundet, proposing a study circle on the topic of wolves. In December 2024, an information meeting led to the formation of a group of about 20 participants. The study circle, supported by the project, will hold at least six meetings in the coming year.

Tiveden
Located around Tiveden National Park on the border of Örebro and Västra Götaland counties, this group engages with the complexities of living near multiple wolf territories. The park is surrounded by small farms with livestock such as sheep, llamas, and cattle. Ecotourism is a key focus, and the group has invited researchers from Grimsö, a nearby research facility of the Swedish Agricultural University (SLU), to contribute to discussions.

Söderåsen
Situated in Skåne County, this platform operates near Söderåsen National Park, home to a wolf family. Discussions centre on tourism, farming, and wolf conservation, with meetings held at the Söderåsen Moose Park. The group is exploring an educational program in collaboration with the national park, addressing the unique mix of forests, grazing lands, and small towns in the area.

Linderödsåsen
South of Söderåsen in Skåne County, wolves are a recent addition to Linderödsåsen’s ecosystem. A local group near Kivik includes farmers, hunters, ecotourism operators, conservationists, and community members. Meetings have included county representatives and experts, focusing on balancing conservation with the needs of one of Sweden’s largest sheep farms and other grazing operations in the area.

Contact with the Project

For further information about this project or with any of the dialogue groups or facilitators, please send an email to Bernard le Roux (project leader): bernard@cnrd.se