On November 16-23, Erikshjälpen Second Hand is launching "Vanliga veckan", with extended opening hours to encourage consumers to shop circularly.
Erikshjälpen Second Hand's "Vanliga veckan" occurs just before the big shopping weekend of the year, Black Friday. "Vanliga veckan" means a week with extended opening hours, but otherwise as a regular week in the second-hand chain's stores.
It is time to change our view of what is a normal way of consuming.
- We don't need to offer discounted goods to be competitive and we don't need to pretend to be sustainable. We are sustainable in our everyday lives and feel secure and proud of the business we run - 365 days a year," says Cathrine Kylesten.
At this time, retailers are shouting out their discounts while, at the other end, they are being met with various sustainability claims to improve their image. Every year, new sales records are broken, while the effects of the climate crisis are increasingly felt. Legislation, global agreements and climate reports speak volumes - yet Corporate continue to produce, and people continue to consume, new products.
- It is time to change our view of what is a normal way of consuming. For example, how can it be that sleeping in a hotel bed is considered cozy, but at the same time you can't imagine buying sheets second hand? says Cathrine Kylesten.
In the deep recession, Black Friday is being promoted as a kind of 'consumer charity' - an opportunity to shop affordably when money is tight. Instead, the concept encourages people to buy more than they planned, things that are not needed but still cost the planet in terms of raw materials, water, chemicals, energy and toxic emissions.
- More consumers want to shop sustainably and circularly, not continue to drive global warming through their purchasing behavior, says Cathrine Kylesten. "We want to influence the norm so that second hand is seen as something for everyone and want more people to open their eyes to our sustainable everyday life.
We want to influence the norm so that second hand is seen as something for everyone and want more people to open their eyes to our sustainable everyday life.
Cathrine Kylesten, Sustainability Strategist Erikshjälpen
Cathrine Kylesten, Sustainability Strategist Erikshjälpen
Please read Erikshjälpen's debate article on the subject published in Göteborgs-Posten.
What is 'uncool' is not buying second-hand but the rush to buy new.
When is your nearest shop open?
On 30 November, Erikshjälpen Second Hand will end its collaboration with the local association Mitt Norden Biståndscenter, which runs the second-hand shops in Västernorrland County and Östersund.
The stores will continue to operate in the same way as before but under a different name.
It is with sadness in our hearts that we leave the organization after many years of good cooperation.
Erikshjälpen Second Hand's Executive Director Anette Alm Gustafsson.
Erikshjälpen Second Hand's Executive Director Anette Alm Gustafsson.
- "It is with sadness in our hearts that we leave the organization after many years of good cooperation," says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Mitt Norden Biståndscenter is an association consisting of free church congregations in the region. The eleven Second Hand shops in cooperation with Erikshjälpen are located in Hudiksvall, Sundsvall, Timrå, Härnösand, Kramfors, Sollefteå, Fränsta, Ånge and Östersund.
When Erikshjälpen Second Hand now chooses to leave the collaboration, it is due to different opinions and thoughts on how the business should develop in the long term and how it can best generate help and support for those who are in difficulty, both in Sweden and in the world. For a long time, both parties have been working to find a solution, but without success.
- Warm thanks to Mitt Norden Biståndscenter, all employees, donors and customers for a good cooperation and commitment during the 30 years that Erikshjälpen Second Hand has been in the area and which has enabled interventions for children's rights around the world, says Anette Alm Gustafsson.
Author: Lena Elf
Once again, Världens Barn has raised money for children's rights all over the world and this year Erikshjälpen has also contributed in its own way.
For 26 years, Radiohjälpen's fundraising campaign Världens Barn has raised funds to help children in vulnerable situations around the world. For 24 of these years, Erikshjälpen has walked along the side of the fundraising campaign and donated a day's takings from all Second Hand shops and e-commerce to the fundraising campaign. For the fourth year in a row, Erikshjälpen is also breaking records for its fundraising with more than 3.7 million Swedish kronor (SEK) for the benefit of Världens Barn.
This would not have been possible without the great commitment that exists in all our stores for Världens Barn. So many nice local elements to support the collection have occurred around our stores and secondhand.se
On Saturday, October 7, there was great engagement with various activities in Erikshjälpen's Second Hand shops. Children and adults alike flocked in for everything from sausage grilling and face painting to bargain shopping in the store or to have a cinnamon bun in Uncle Erik's café. The joy and warmth were great this day as all purchases went to the collection and the children had a pleasant time.
Tens of millions doubled
The collection for Världens Barn continues throughout the year, but during the campaign week, week 40, the collection reached a high note. During the TV gala, which took place on Saturday, the result rose to 72 million Swedish kronor (SEK). Already the next day, the sum had reached 77.6 million Swedish kronor (SEK).
This year's campaign is also special because the charity organization Akelius Foundation is doubling the donations that come in until 31 October. This makes it possible for more children to take part in the projects and interventions that Erikshjälpen, among others, is doing with its share of the funds raised.
Erikshjälpen's involvement in radio and TV
Erikshjälpen, one of 13 aid organizations participating in the collection, has been seen and heard in several places during the collection campaign.
P4's reporter Lasse Persson was on site in Cambodia at Erikshjälpen's partner to take part in what is done with some of the money collected and what difference the money makes in the lives of children. Listen to some of the features that were made.
Working to stop violence against students: "Their dreams will come true"
P4 Extra The feature with Lasse Persson about Erikshjälpen runs between about 20:20 - 24:40 in the broadcast.
Lasse Persson, left, during the visit to Cambodia.
Lasse Persson, left, during the visit to Cambodia.
Erikshjälpen's Secretary-General Daniel Grahn participated in the TV broadcast and talked about Erikshjälpen's work, where a film from the operations in Ukraine was also shown.
Together for the Children of the World Daniel Grahn and Erikshjälpen are on air between 43:20 and 55:20.
Daniel Grahn, far left, in the SVT broadcast.
Daniel Grahn, far left, in the SVT broadcast.
The world's biggest thank you to you who contributed to Erikshjälpen being able to give over 3.7 million Swedish kronor (SEK) to the collection for Världens Barn. Together you are making a difference for children. And the world they dream of.
Author: Anthon Talhaug
Last Friday, September 29, the start of this year's fundraising week for Världens Barn took place. For 22 years now, Erikshjälpen has been involved in donating a whole day's worth of money to the collection and this year is no exception.
Världens Barn is Radiohjälpen's fundraising for all children's right to safety, health and school. The fundraising is done in collaboration with Swedish Television, Swedish Radio and 14 civil society organizations, including Erikshjälpen.
For Erikshjälpen, it is a matter of course to contribute to the collection for Världens Barn. Since 2000, Erikshjälpen has contributed in a unique way, namely by donating an entire day's takings from all second-hand shops. Last year, the sum amounted to more than 3.4 million Swedish kronor (SEK).
This Saturday, October 7, you have the opportunity to contribute to the collection by shopping in one of Erikshjälpen's second-hand shops. That's when we donate the entire day's cash! Many stores will also have extra activities.
And this year, your action is more important than ever. The charity Akelius Foundation will contribute by doubling the money raised for Världens Barn until October 31. So every krona raised is two Swedish kronor (SEK) until then.
On the Världens Barns website you can read more about what the money from the fundraising goes to. The common goal is to raise money for projects around the world to promote children's rights.
The money is enough, varldensbarn.se
Each organization that participates has a special project that is highlighted each year. This year, Erikshjälpen is highlighting a project in Cambodia to help children grow up without violence. In particularly vulnerable areas of Cambodia, violence is part of everyday life, mainly due to poverty and ignorance. There, Erikshjälpen provides support in schools and in parent clubs that make a difference for children to grow up in a world without violence.
Read about Erikshjälpen's project here: A childhood without violence
Author: Martina Bohl
Listening In Phnom Penh City in Cambodia, Erikshjälpen works together with the local Sunshine Cambodia Organization to strengthen children's rights and give them the opportunity to grow up in a world without violence.
Every child has the right to grow up in a world without violence. But in Cambodia, this is far from reality. In particularly vulnerable areas, it's not uncommon for everyday life to be marked by violence and abuse, both at home and in schools, and it's often adults - parents, older siblings or teachers - who use violence against children.
There are several reasons for what drives violence and therefore the problem must be addressed in as many ways. Together with our local partner Sunshine, Erikshjälpen works with targeted interventions that all, in different ways, aim to promote children's rights.
A large part of the work involves communicating knowledge about children's rights to all the adults around them. It is also about working with different social actors to strengthen children's safety in the public environment and to increase their opportunities to go to school. interventions that in the long term build children's self-confidence and give them a safer growing environment.
Much effort has been made over the years to promote children's rights in Cambodia, but there is still much work to be done. Especially when it comes to engaging and including the child's voice in decisions at different levels of society. Thanks to Erikshjälpen and Sunshine, girls and boys are supported in schools, youth centers and children's clubs to understand their rights - and to make their voices heard.
"Now I dare to tell my mom if I have any problems"
The beatings could come if he hadn't done his homework. Or if he was too tired to help at home. But now, 13-year-old Sereyvat and his mother have a warm relationship based on mutual respect between each other.
Sereyvat's childhood outside Phnom Penh City was long characterized by beatings and scolding. His mother Sokuntheary, who is widowed and infected with HIV, often took her bad temper out on her children, and Sereyvat would be beaten if he wasn't at school.
- Now she has stopped hitting and scolding me, instead she uses nice words and encourages me to do my homework," says Sereyvat.
Since 2017, the family has participated in family support activities and parenting clubs run by Erikshjälpen's local partner Sunshine just outside Phnom Penh City. Here, Sokuntheary has not only received support in her role as a parent or start-up capital to run a small food business, but also knowledge about how her children are affected by a childhood characterized by violence. Something that has paid off.
- Now I dare to tell my mom about my problems and she helps me solve them. There is also a big difference in how I behave myself and I notice that I have become more patient. Before, I often used to fight with other children at school, but now I don't do that anymore," says Sereyvat.
The support of Sunshine and Erikshjälpen has also given Sereyvat the courage to tell his mother if she hits him again, and he now knows his right to grow up in a world without violence.
- My teachers motivate me to come to school regularly. Whenever I have any problem with other students, the principal tells me not to fight with them. He also encourages me to study and tells me to think about my mother who is trying to earn money for my education and future," he says.
Example of costs
- 82 SEK - Annual cost for a parent to participate in the parents' club.
- 124 SEK - Excursion for a child with the aim of strengthening the child's self-esteem.
- 3100 SEK - Start-up capital for small businesses.
Creativity is important to Gustav and has somehow always been there. He got it and his love for second hand from his mother, his upbringing and his childhood home. As a creator, he wants to shift the focus and show that there are other values in shopping and thinking sustainably. Gustav Broström is Sweden's Second Hand Profile 2023.
- Gustav Broström is a role model and a source of inspiration that opens more eyes to second hand and shows that it is for everyone! With our award, we want to show appreciation for the work he does and send encouragement for the future, says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Gustav is 32 years old, born and raised in Stockholm. He has a background in journalism, fashion, skincare, design and advertising. He lives in Kungsholmen with his partner Hugo.
Gustav runs the Instagram account "Gustavsrum". It brings together both those who already love second hand and those who are new to the second hand market. Gustav has made a name for himself for his inspiring second-hand finds and appears both on TV and writes for the magazine Antik och Auktion.
The Instagram account became its own community
"Gustavsrum" is Gustav's social media space. There he shares his expertise in design and interior design and creates content with a strong focus on sustainable finds and reuse. He shows off his home, where he mixes objects from Svenskt Tenn and other design classics in beautiful still lifes, but also different types of reuse projects, tips on table settings and simple everyday objects that can easily be found second hand.
- I think there is as much joy in reading and gaining knowledge as there is in inspiring and sharing it. I want to inspire people to make something big out of something small.
Through his community, Gustav has made contact with many other creators who are also inspired to give things new uses and run various projects that create commitment to second hand and reuse.
- There is so much more to second-hand than just expensive teacups. You can buy bedding, plant dye and sew a new sofa cover. You can repaint lampshades and rebuild things," says Gustav.
How he became Sweden's Second Hand profile
Gustav Broström was one of three finalists nominated for the award Sweden's Second Hand Profile 2023. Next to him were the profiles Sara Wimmercranz and Emelie Norberg. Winning the award was something that made Gustav both proud and moved.
- It feels very unreal, but I was very happy and touched when I got the news. Especially when I heard that there were so many nominations and votes. It's great that you manage to reach out to people. I am moved and filled with joy and gratitude," he says.
Erikshjälpen's motivation for the win
He is a collector of beautiful things who has inspired thousands through his dedication. In his home, he mixes Swedish pewter with recycled and unusual ceramics. In a playful way, he shows that home-made decorations and design classics can go hand in hand and that everything from candles to furniture can be found on the second-hand market.
On his Instagram account "Gustavsrum", Gustav Broström shows how enjoyable it is to consume sustainably. By being a never-ending source of inspiration and knowledge, he opens more eyes to second hand and reuse. Gustav proves that second hand is for everyone, and thanks to him more stuff gets loved again.
Childhood home is a great inspiration
When Gustav was growing up, his mother bought a lot of second-hand clothes for her children. For them, visiting flea markets and second-hand shops was a way to socialize. Gustav is still inspired by his childhood home.
- We had a fairly ordinary but very cozy home, filled with textiles from Svenskt Tenn, which my mother sewed pillows, coasters and bedspreads from. That's where my love for Svenskt Tenn comes from, but also for crafts and the "Do it yourself" spirit.
Photographer: Mira Wickman
Gustav's mother taught him that a home doesn't have to be perfect, as long as it brings joy. To have a pleasant home, you have to dare to try.
- Buy that weird vase in the shape of a pineapple, that giant painting or that really weird mirror and try it. I challenge myself with that all the time. A home is never finished. There is a joy in trying new things, changing and learning more," says Gustav.
How to switch to shopping more second-hand
Gustav's best advice for switching to second-hand shopping is to plan your visits and visit second-hand shops frequently.
- It is difficult to make a financial profit on the second-hand market today. But there are other values - a slower pace, the everyday joy the object brings, the journey of the object and what the object symbolizes, for example," says Gustav and continues.
- I might buy a saucer in January but not find the matching cup until December. That wait gives the object a different value.
The profit is donated to Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad
As the winner, Gustav will receive Swedish kronor (SEK) 25,000 to donate to one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights. The choice fell on Erikshjälpen's work with equal growing conditions, with a focus on Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad. Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad creates participation among children and young people in Sweden, through safe and creative meeting places around the country, run in collaboration with local actors.
- Growing up, I had the privilege of playing soccer, going to scouts, and acting. I want to believe that these contexts helped shape me as a person, and for that I am incredibly grateful. Therefore, I choose to support Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad because I believe in the power of creativity, having somewhere to be and that everyone should have equal conditions in society.
- By providing a physical space and activities, Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad creates meaningful contexts. It is invaluable, says Gustav.
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
Every year, Erikshjälpen Second Hand awards the Swedish Second Hand Profile to someone who, through their commitment, contributes to an increased interest in second hand and its possibilities. It can be about innovative ideas, creative solutions or smart environmental work through reuse.
The recipient of the Sweden's Second Hand Profile award receives a diploma and a statuette, as well as the right to award one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights equivalent to 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
In a time of social distancing, Rafiki wants to bridge the gap between children in different countries. Now, e-lessons are being launched that invite the world into the classroom.
Through pictures, films and children's own stories, Swedish primary and secondary school students learn more about the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the global goals.
The work on e-lessons began in the fall of 2019 to reach even more educators and students around Sweden.
– With the current situation, the lessons feel even more relevant and timely. Through this development of Rafiki, even more children can receive education about children's rights and tools to be involved and create change, says Birgitta Johansson, program manager at Erikshjälpen.
– Rights and values issues are an important part of IM's work and at a time when the Convention on the Rights of the Child has just become law in Sweden, it feels extra important to be involved in supporting the work with e-lessons for future generations' continued work with global development, says Annika Thelin, regional manager at IM, Individual Human Support .
Rafiki reached 60,000 students in 2019 and 7,500 educators downloaded the material. This was primarily through classroom visits, continuing education for educators, Rafiki's digital presence and Rafiki's magazine. With the new e-lessons, Rafiki hopes that more people around Sweden will benefit from the material on children's rights, core values and the global goals.
– With Rafiki, it should be easy for educators to integrate global development and children's equal rights into daily teaching. Regardless of what prior knowledge the educator has in the subject. For each lesson, there are therefore teacher instructions, connections to the curriculum and links for those who want to read on, says Andreas Hallman, Rafiki communicator.
We give children insight into other children's everyday lives and show similarities despite different living conditions.
The lessons are also scalable and can be adapted to the needs and interests of the students. The educator can pick out exercises from the lessons or use the lesson in its entirety. They can be used in the classroom as well as for distance learning and homework. The focus is on the stories from and about children in different parts of the world.
– We give children insight into other children's everyday lives and show similarities despite different living conditions. It gives children a greater understanding of the equal value of all people. It also increases tolerance for differences and the desire to contribute to positive development in the world, says Andreas Hallman, communications officer at Rafiki.
Author: Sofia Denzler
About Rafiki
Rafiki creates e-lessons that invite the world into your classroom. In pictures, films and children's own stories, we weave important reflections on fundamental values, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the global goals. The lessons are adapted for grades 2–6. Rafiki also offers classroom visits, in-service training for teachers, lesson materials and a magazine. Rafiki started in 1994 and is a collaboration between the children's rights organization Erikshjälpen and IM. www.pedagog.rafiki.se
In a time of transition, we need inspiring role models - who show that it is not only necessary but also fun to switch to sustainable consumption. One such role model is Isabelle McAllister, who is now awarded Erikshjälpen Second Hand's Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 award. Isabelle will donate the prize money to work for girls' Menstrual health.
- Forces like Isabelle McAllister are really needed in our society! She is a role model and a source of inspiration and through our award we want to both show appreciation for the work she has already done and send encouragement for the future, says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Through Programme programs like "Äntligen hemma", "Fixa rummet" and "Sommartorpet", Isabelle McAllister has become a colorful interior design profile with the entire Swedish population. It has always been obvious to her to use second hand in her interior design, but in the past she did not talk much about the benefits.
In recent years, Isabelle has become more vocal. She has trained in climate and sustainability issues and today calls herself a creative transition activist. In 2021, she published the book "Skavank", which is about gadgets, our relationship with them and how we can best repair and care for them.
- "Half of the book is about gadgets and consumption, in the other half I talk about different materials and how we can take care of them," she says.
With this book, Isabelle wants to both challenge old patterns of thought and show how old and worn-out things can be given new life. What if we realize that things that have been owned and handled - by us or by others - have something that the new lacks? If we start to see the beauty in the imperfections, and understand the satisfaction that taking care of our stuff can actually give us?
- Use what you already have - as long as you can, urges Isabelle McAllister.
- We won't save the world by mending a shirt, but I think working with your hands is good for your body and your system. By taking care of what we have, we also start caring for it more.
Erikshjälpen Second Hand hopes that many listen to Isabelle's call.
- Isabelle's ability to see the beauty in the scratched and worn is something we hope many can be inspired by and emulate. If we all make small changes in our consumption behavior, together we can make a difference. It feels really great to be able to present this award to Isabelle," says Josefine Janossy, Marketing and Concept Manager at Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Isabelle McAllister was nominated alongside the Climate Club's Maria Soxbo and Emma Sundh, as well as the Vintage Man Ingemar Albertsson for the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 award, which is awarded annually by Sweden's leading non-profit second-hand player. Isabelle is very proud to receive the award.
- It's the ultimate prize for an old flea market rat like me. I am so proud and happy and it feels so much fun. Second hand is really something I feel at home in and appreciate very much. It also makes sense to inspire others to use things as long as possible," she says.
As the winner, Isabelle will receive Swedish kronor (SEK) 25,000 to donate to one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights. The choice fell on work for girls' Menstrual health, which includes educating children and parents around the world about menstruation, giving girls access to safe menstrual protection and ensuring that schools have hygienic and safe toilets.
- I wish we saw menstruation as a woman's power instead of something we are ashamed of. It's still so taboo," she says.
Motivation Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022
Where throwaway has become the norm in society, Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 stands on the other side. She calls herself a creative change activist - and her heart beats hard for reuse. Where others see flaws, she sees opportunities.
In everything from books to television, and not least in social media, she creates engagement around sustainable consumption. She inspires and shares knowledge about how to extend the life of things, and also how to learn to appreciate the old and worn. Thanks to Isabelle McAllister, more things can be given new life and loved again, and again.
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
About the prize
Erikshjälpen Second Hand annually awards Sweden’s Second Hand Profile to someone who, through their commitment, contributes to an increased interest in second hand and its possibilities. It can be about innovative ideas, creative solutions or smart environmental work through reuse.
The winner of Sweden’s Second Hand Profile award receives a diploma and a statuette, as well as the right to award one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights equivalent to 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
The idea was born on a whiteboard, but the movement has grown far beyond the Malmö office. Crossed national borders and oceans. It has sprouted wings and is now flying on its own. No one is happier about that than Henning Gillberg, founder of White Monday - and Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2020.
Monday, November 25, 2019. There are five days left to this year's absolute shopping festival and in the mall at Hornstull in Stockholm, it is being prepared with signs and offers that will maximize the customers' spontaneous shopping craving.
This year's Black Friday will see Swedes' shopping profits reach new heights - over seven billion Swedish kronor (SEK). But Henning Gillberg doesn't know that yet, as he stands in black trousers, white shirt and white jacket, looking out over the circular pop-up shop that has taken up residence in the mall for the day. What he has just learned, however, makes him touch his forehead and say frankly:
- I actually get a little teary-eyed.
Breathing.
- Ikea is in! Ikea is skipping Black Friday and has put White Monday on its homepage. Wow!
Five hours later, in a (fittingly) white conference room a couple of floors up, American enthusiasm pours out of the laptop's speakers. "WITH US TODAY WE HAVE HENNING GILLBERG FROM SWEDEN - THE FOOOOOUNDER OF WHITE MONDAY!"
I want to get everyone thinking circular
Live on Facebook, Henning Gillberg talks to a US-based courier company about the ideas behind the White Monday concept and offers tips on how they can continue to spread the movement "over there". Two weeks ago, he was in Singapore to launch the concept. Positive reports are coming in from there, as well as from Germany, Serbia, Kenya, Turkey, Canada...
- The first year we had 30 participants, the second year 180. This year we are over 500 participants from 23 countries. There is a greater calm in me now, because outside of me there is now a movement that is not dependent on me as a person. White Monday has gone from being something that the media thinks is a bit of fun to highlight, to really becoming a movement among the people. And only then can we make a real difference.
Three years have passed since Henning Gillberg, together with a colleague at the time, formulated the concept of White Monday. As a kind of counterpoint to the unsustainable consumerism that Black Friday as a concept stands for, he felt a clear need to point to a different way of consuming. At the time, as now, he was the CEO of his own Corporate Repamera, whose business idea is to patch and repair customers' broken clothes. His experience was that many customers did not know that it is possible to consume in a circular way, that is, to make use of what already exists. Either by patching and repairing, buying second-hand, buying goods made from recycled materials or renting goods instead of buying.
- White Monday's core message is to showcase an alternative to new consumption. We're not saying don't consume at all or never buy anything new. But we do need to find the balance between new innovation and making the most of what we already have. Do you really need to buy a drill to drill a hole in the wall or is it enough to rent one for a few hours, drill your hole and then return it? If your pants break, do you really need to throw them away and buy a new pair, or can you mend them and keep using them?
The first step was to mobilize Corporate circular economy stakeholders and provide them with a common platform from which they could become a stronger voice and show customers clear alternatives. In addition, organisations, associations and, not least, influencers made the movement visible on social media by actively promoting its message.
- We make the average person understand the difference between new consumption and circular consumption and in that way I think we make a difference. It is when we activate consumers that change happens," says Henning Gillberg.
So where does his own commitment to the issue come from? He finds it difficult to substantiate it in words, he says. Perhaps his simple upbringing in Lenhovda in the deepest forests of Småland, with two part-time nurses as parents and many siblings, played a role in his view of the importance of material things? Maybe it's the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to first study product design and circular economy at Malmö University and then to start Repamera, the company where he initially cycled around the streets of Malmö to pick up his customers' clothes in need of repair?
What is clear is that he is passionate about sustainability - but that the last thing he wants is to become a trendy campaigner for the same.
- My main job is to get everyone who participates in White Monday to not make it a sustainability campaign. We want to get everyone to start thinking and consuming in a circular way, it's good for all parties and also for Mother Earth. If you say it's a sustainability campaign, I think you only capture the target group that already thinks about these issues. We want to get everyone thinking circularly, whether you vote left or right, whether you are angry or happy, stupid or kind, tall or short. It's good for everyone and for Mother Earth.
MOTIVATION SWEDEN SECOND HAND PROFILE 2020
Year after year, commercial retailers shout their message with a force that makes us buy billions of Swedish kronor (SEK) worth of new products - and that's just for one day. What started as a witty play on words has now established itself as a growing counter-movement that engages everyone from private individuals and influencers to organisations and Corporate - in Sweden but also internationally.
As the founder of White Monday, Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2020 has with great commitment created a powerful movement that drives the important development towards a more circular consumption. A movement that is undoubtedly the new black.
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
The prize Sweden’s Second Hand Profile is awarded annually to someone who has distinguished themselves in a special way within second hand. In addition to a diploma and statuette, the winner gets to allocate 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK) to one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights.
Henning Gillberg received the prize on Wednesday, October 7 at an event in Erikshjälpen Second Hand's store in Malmö. He chose to award his prize money to Erikshjälpen's work Solrosen, which provides Support to children with detained parents.
Erikshjälpen Second Hand's prize Sweden’s Second Hand Profile is awarded in 2021 to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation for its successful initiatives with the Clothes Swap Day and the Toy Swap Day. This year's award winners make it easy to choose the right thing and show that everyone can contribute to sustainable development.
- "We are very happy about the award and it is especially warming because both our local associations and our national office have worked for a long time on these issues. It is a nice signal to our members who over the years have put a lot of effort into organizing Clothes Swap Days, says Karin Lexén, Secretary-General of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Through the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile award, Erikshjälpen Second Hand wants to celebrate and encourage people and organisations that are role models and make a good impression when it comes to promoting second hand and reuse. At a time when it is vital for society to change, all good forces are needed to help people live more sustainably.
- "The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is a strong force and does great work at many different levels in society. It feels great to be able to give the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2021 award to such a worthy winner," says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is Sweden's largest environmental organization, which spreads knowledge, forms opinion and influences decision-makers both locally, nationally and globally. Since 2010, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation organizes the Clothes Swap Day around Sweden.
- We are in the midst of a climate crisis. In Sweden, we live as if we had four Earths. We need to change in all areas, including how we consume. With the Clothes Swap Day, we wanted to create an arena and a fun context to get more people to choose second hand and become part of the sharing economy," says Karin Lexén.
On Clothes Swap Day, people can bring some nice clothes that they no longer wear and swap them for clothes that someone else has brought. Since 2019, there has also been a Toy Swap Day, where toys, leisure items and things for the home and kitchen change hands. Interest in the Clothes and Gadget Swap Day has grown every year.
- I think that doing something concrete and fun for the environment is the reason why it has become so popular. The last time we did a big national Clothes Swap Day, in 2019, 58,000 garments got a new owner, just in Sweden," says Karin Lexén.
On December 9, Karin Lexén will receive the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2021 award at an event in Erikshjälpen Second Hand's new city store in Gothenburg.
Motivation Sweden's Second Hand profile 2021
When society is in urgent need of a transition to more sustainable development, initiatives are needed to help people make the right choices. Through Clothes Swap Day and Product Swap Day, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation provides a fine example of how everyone can do something to create change. Together, we can reuse our things to a much greater extent than we do today - and it is important that more of us start doing so.
With great knowledge and strong commitment, Sweden's largest environmental organization, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, contributes to a more sustainable world both locally, nationally and globally. With the Clothes Swap Day and the Plastic Swap Day, Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2021 has shown that everyone can contribute to a more circular society by starting small.
Author: Sofia Denzler
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
About the prize
Erikshjälpen Second Hand annually awards the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile to someone who, through their commitment, contributes to an increased interest in second hand and its possibilities. It can be about innovative ideas, creative solutions or smart environmental work through reuse. Elsa Billgren, Johanna Leymann, Scandinavian Retro and Henning Gillberg are some previous winners.
The winner of Sweden’s Second Hand Profile award receives a diploma and a statuette, as well as the right to award one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights equivalent to 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
