Swedish towns expand summer job schemes with free housing and broad youth hiring

Varbergs municipality launched its annual summer employment programme, placing over 200 teenagers aged 16 and up in positions across culture, leisure, care and outdoor maintenance. The initiative aims to give young people their first work experience and strengthen municipal services.

Vilhelmina municipality tackles seasonal staff shortages by offering three months of free accommodation in its historic 19th‑century church town to summer workers. The scheme, costing about 100,000 SEK per year, attracted 14 temporary staff this year and is part of a broader effort to retain newcomers in the sparsely populated region.