Christine Musembi is leading the feasibility study for the Boden Sustainability Center (BSC — a collaborative initiative aiming to give Boden’s local green transition a strong human and social foundation.

With Stegra’s establishment in northern Svartbyn as a catalyst, the community of Boden is undergoing rapid transformation. A feasibility study is currently underway to explore opportunities for creating a physical and digital center to support a socially sustainable green transition— Boden Sustainability Center. At the heart of this initiative is project manager Christine Musembi.

BSC aims to become a platform where innovation, business, and education collaborate on issues such as equality, inclusion, skills development, and local community growth. The study focuses on mapping needs, opportunities, and potential structures for a future center—both as a physical meeting space and as a digital collaboration hub.

“Right now, we’re concentrating on bringing everyone together and building a shared understanding. We’re holding introductory meetings and preparing for an initial consortium meeting in April, followed by a kick-off and workshop in May,” says Christine Musembi.

A broad partnership – from industry to civil society

The project is supported by a broad consortium of stakeholders from business, civil society and the public sector, among others:

• Stegra
• Polar Structure
• Boden Tillsammans
• Boden Business Park
• Bodens kommun

Christine Musembi emphasizes the strength of having so many sectors involved from the very start.

“I joined the project midstream, and it was immediately clear that everyone was already deeply committed. It makes the work both easier and more meaningful. This is something we’re doing together,” she says.

The municipality also highlights the importance of active participation from the business community in creating a socially sustainable transition.

– “It is really gratifying to see how committed our business partners are. The fact that companies like Stegra and Polar Structure want to be involved in shaping the social framework shows a genuine desire to build something sustainable – not only economically, but also humanly,” says Mats Berg, head of business relations in the municipality of Boden.

He sees the project as a clear manifestation of the municipality’s long-term vision.

“For Boden, this project concretizes our vision ‘The Good Life’ and the human-centered green heart that guides how we shape the future of Boden,” says Mats Berg.

“It must happen – otherwise, the transition will falter”

Christine Musembi has a background in education, social sustainability, and environmental work—both in Kenya and Sweden. She sees her role as an opportunity to bring diverse experiences together in a context where they genuinely make a difference.

“This project brings together many small puzzle pieces from my previous experience: education, environmental awareness, and social engagement. Everything fits together in this initiative,” she explains.

She is convinced of the need for a center like the BSC.

“The green industrial transition is moving quickly. If the community and people don’t keep up, we risk imbalance. This kind of initiative isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for the transition to succeed fully,” Christine Musembi emphasizes.

A center for the future – at the heart of the community

The center will be established as both a physical location in central Boden and a virtual platform connecting people, ideas, and initiatives. Here, testbeds, living labs, educational efforts, and processes for social innovation will take shape—with people at the center.

“I envision a vibrant space where small and large actors work side by side. A center equally serving as a community platform and an engine of innovation,” concludes Christine Musembi.

The feasibility study is funded by Vinnova, within the framework of the call Attractive living environments of the future through a socially sustainable industry.