Here you can learn more about the different activities we organize.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
2024
APRIL
Everyone is welcome to join us for a FESTIVE CELEBRATION OF EID AL-FITR! 
ONE COUNTRY, ONE EVENING: ROMANIA!
When: 11th of April
Time: 18.00 – 20.00
Place: Medgorgarskolan local, City center – Storgatan 37
Next evening is Romania! Don’t forget to sign up … Places go fast!
“One country – one evening” is a meeting place for everyone, both new and old Skellefteå residents and of course the whole family is welcome.
The evenings are led by a team from a selected country. The participants can for example take part in the country’s food (note. appetizer), music, singing, dancing and perhaps try a craft – but also learn more about the country and see the cultural differences between the country and Skellefteå.
The evening is a collaboration between Medborgarskolan, Welcome House Skellefteå and Expats and Friends so that the inhabitants of Skellefteå can get to know each other’s cultures better.
MARCH
EFA SKI TRIP 2024
YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP IN THE SIMPLE SIGN UP LINK: https://simplesignup.se/event/214275
Welcome EFA members!
This slope is known for well kept facilities and all level challenges – specially good for beginners!
EFA will provide the transportation for the day – a 40 person bus – that will leave Skellefteå at 9.00am and come back at 16.00. The drive is one hour so we should be at the slope around 10.00 and back in town around 16.00! (We leave Bygdsiljumsbacken 15.00)
The bus leaves from the parking on the north side of Sara kulturhus. And, when we come back we will arrive at the same destination.
EFA will also provide Fika at the restaurant at 13.00.
We have a special offer of 200kr per ski pass instead of 300kr. Every person has to cover their own ski pass and equipment/rental/etc.
4. We offer a fika at 13.00 – But you can also bring sandwiches/snacks – there are fires there with wood if you want to grill something and there is a restaurant if you don’t want to hassle.
AW SALSA & KARAOKE
Date: 22 of March
Time: 17.30 – till you can!
Place: Asia Kajs Restaurang, Nygatan 62A, 931 30 Skellefteå (Near the E4 – in front of the pink Equmeniakyrkan in Skellefteå)
Simple sign-up here:
https://simplesignup.se/event/214402
Bienvenidos!
ยินดีต้อนรับ!
EFA ANNUAL MEETING 2024
The Expats & Friends Association (EFA) encourages everyone to get involved in the association and take part in the decision making process by becoming a member of the association.
We are pleased to announce that the EFA annual meeting is scheduled on March 21, 2024 at 18.00.
Place: Online meeting.
Please check the connection 5-10 min in advance!
For more information please contact us at expatsassociation@gmail.com
EFA board
ONE COUNTRY, ONE EVENING: EGYPT!
Place: Medgorgarskolan local, City center – Storgatan 37
How exciting! It will be a truly amazing experience learning more about the culture of this beautiful country: Egypt! 
“One country – one evening” is a meeting place for everyone, both new and old Skellefteå residents and of course the whole family is welcome.
The evenings are led by a team from a selected country. The participants can for example take part in the country’s food (note. appetizer), music, singing, dancing and perhaps try a craft – but also learn more about the country and see the cultural differences between the country and Skellefteå.
The evening is a collaboration between Medborgarskolan, Welcome House Skellefteå and Expats and Friends so that the inhabitants of Skellefteå can get to know each other’s cultures better.
2023
DECEMBER
EFA CHRISTMAS BRING & SHARE EVENT!
Please label your food before arriving at the event (especially gluten free food) and we recommend to bring your own serving spoons.
The parking is limited at the premises. There are three parking lots, one is close to the gymnastics building, another one is close to the main entrance (visitors parking) and the third is behind the building (staff parking) with access from visitors parking.
EFA
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER SATURDAYS IN KÅGE!
Swedish friends, please come along and share some tips with your new neighbours. We’d love to hear from you!OCTOBER
HALLOWEEN PARTY!
A wicked good time for everyone! 
Time: 13.00-16.00
Where: Storgatan 18B, 931 33 Skellefteå (next to Nordanå park)
RSVP by October 25!
0767778366 (Cristina Lindberg Ghimpu)
Or e-mail to: info@expatsandfriends.se
WELCOME TO WINTER
- Prepare your body and mind for the season
- Clothing
- Safety in the dark
- Avoid cold injuries
- Top cold weather tips
- Outdoor activities
Drinks, snacks, winter giveaways!
FANCY A FREE TICKET TO THE THEATRE?
Västerbottensteater would like to invite you to a performance of JERNBANAN.
You will be some of the first to try the new English translation, which can be downloaded on your phone.
Place: Stage 2, Sara kulturhus
Time: 19.00
Dates:
26th October
31st October
1st November
2nd November
Please email: info@expatsandfriends.se by close of business hours on October 24th for tickets!
SATURDAYS IN KÅGE!
Swedish friends, please come along and share some tips with your new neighbours. We’d love to hear from you!
SWEDISH COURSE (CONTINUATION)
Ayna is back ready to help you improve your Swedish!
When: Saturday, 14th of October
Time: 10.15 to 11.45
Where: Studieförbundet Bilda Nord. Stationsgatan 15 93131 (city centre)
SATURDAYS IN KÅGE!
Swedish friends, please come along and share some tips with your new neighbours. We’d love to hear from you!SEPTEMBER
SATURDAYS IN KÅGE!
Swedish friends, please come along and share some tips with your new neighbours. We’d love to hear from you!
books.
FRIDAY AW – PIZZA TIME!
When: 29th of September
Time: 17.30
Where: Alhems Trädgård
HOUSING DAY 2023!
When: Wednesday, 27th of September!
Time: 16.00 – 19.00
Where: Welcome House, City Hall (Brinken) – Trädgårdsgatan 6.
Presentations will be at 16:30 and 18:00.
Coffee and fika is included –
Welcome to the event!
Northvolt
Riksbyggen
PEAB
Ekeblad bostad
Nordea
Swedbank
SEB
Fastighetsbyrån
Svensk fastighetsförmedling
Kaidings
Bygglovsavdelningen
Smålandsvillan
Älvsbyhus
SATURDAYS IN KÅGE!
books. Bring along anything you would like to swap/ loan.AUGUST
AFTER WORK AT KORK VINBAR!
JULY
BICYCLE TOUR TO HYDRODAM SKELLEFTEÅ
Sign-up and more info in the FB event – click here!
EFA ANUAL PICNIC
Saturday, 8th of July from 12pm-4pm.
Place: Nordanå Park.
Best wishes,
EFA
JUNE
WENDY & PETER PAN – Västerbottensteatern invites EFA!
When: 10th of June.
Time: 15.00-16.30
Where: Medleforsparken, Skellefteå.
BRUNCH & FOOTBALL!
When: 10th of June
Time: 12.00 pm
Where: Kork Vinbar, Skellefteå.
On Saturday *Skellefteå FF* football club hold their annual Rekordmatchen event. The team will play local rivals Luleå (tense!)
They invite you to support your new home team and have arranged something special for EFA to say welcome…
AFTER WORK AT BODA BORG!
Time: 18.00
Places: 12
Price: 190 SEK/person
Outfit: Easy clothes to move around (preferably gym clothes)
MAJ
BIENVENIDOS! WELCOME!
FaceBook event link – click here!
APRIL
28th of April – SPRINGBOARD SKELLEFTEÅ 2023!
Save the date! (Event in English)
The goal is to merge the need for talented workforce with career opportunities for all of us who relocated to Skellefteå region from different parts of the world.
To sign up please access the following link: https://simplesignup.se/event/202684-springboard-2023
If you are a business and wish to have a display on that day please get in contact with us:
info@expatsandfriends.se
An event created by Expats and Friends Association and Skellefteå Kommun in partnership with SENSUS.
EFA SKI TRIP!
BOOK CLUB!
When: 2nd of April, Sunday.
Time: 10.30 am
Where: The City Library: Granen, Sara kulturhus.
Share your favourite book with others and maybe discover a new favourite. Maybe loan a book you have finished to someone.
MARCH
PARENTS SPRÅKCAFÉ!
Coffee and a fika selection included. Paid members free, otherwise 50kr towards costs.
EFA in ALVARGALAN!
When: 17th March – check the online program! Starts at 9.00 am. You have to sign up for the event: https://alvar.nu/dagsprogram/
Where: SARA kulturhus, Stage 2.
With international establishments we are meeting people from all over the world who have made Skellefteå to their new hometown. But what do they think about Skellefteå? What is it really like to live and work here? What is the best about it, and what can improve and get better? How can we get better at welcoming everyone who moves here?
Invited guests are there to tell their story about why they chose to move to Skellefteå and what their experience has been so far. Meet Fransesca Quartey, Cultural entrepreneur and tv-profile, Paul Connolly, Norrans english speaking editor, Chloris Che, Co-founder of Moose & Goose and Christina Lindberg Ghimpu, Chairperson for Expats and Friends Association.
(This session is held in English)
SARA CELEBRATES SARA!
When: 8th of March, from 12.00 to 17.00.
Where: Scene 1, SARA kulturhus.
Come and celebrate Sara Lidman’s 100th year!
Together with several important Swedish personalities our chairwoman Cristina Lindberg Ghimpu, as part of the panel, will share her experiences and inspire other people with the journey that has been to come to Sweden, and help others find their place here in Skellefteå and Swedish society thru the Expats and Friends Association. Warm welcome to this special afternoon!
STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
When: 1st of March, from 5.00 to 6.00 pm.
Where: House Be, Storgatan 53.
FEBRUARY
EFA Annual Meeting
When: 27th of February
Time: 18.00 – 21.00
Passcode: 55bYfS
We are pleased to announce that the EFA annual meeting is scheduled on February 27, 2023 at 18.00.
EFA Board.
BREAKFAST MEETING
When: 24th of February from 7.30 to 9.00 am.
Where: Exploratoriet, Skellefteå
A TEASER EVENT before the SPRINGBOARD event in April!
A breakfast meeting for companies before the Springboard event, April 28th!
In case you are not on the list and wish to participate then please let us know at: info@expatsandfriends.se
RSVP by Feb 17th!
SWEDISH FIKA & chat at Aina’s!
When: 10th of February between 15.00 – 16.30
Where: Aina’s café Nygatan 70, upstairs room
Aina’s Café would like to offer a warm welcome to Skellefteå’s new residents.
EFA members are invited to Aina’s for traditional fika and Swedish conversation.
Try a selection of mini fika treats and talk with native speakers and other learners.
JANUARY
SEB Award “Diversity, Equality or Environment” given to EFA!
Every year SEB presents an award for “Diversity, Equality or Environment”. We are pleased to announce that the Expats and Friends Association will receive this years award.
“The prize is awarded to a company, association or other organization that excels from a sustainability perspective”.
The ceremony will take place during the hockey match on Thursday 26th at Skellefteå Kraft Arena!
2022
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS BRING & SHARE
When: 3rd of December
Time: 13.00 – 16.00
Where: IES Skellefteå (International English School), Brännavägen 57-59, 931 44 Skellefteå.
COST
Please label your food before arriving at the event (especially gluten free food) and we recommend to bring your own serving spoons.
The parking is limited at the premises. There are three parking lots, one is close to the gymnastics building, another one is close to the main entrance (visitors parking) and the third is behind the building (staff parking) with access from visitors parking.
Father Christmas will meet the children!
WINTER #101
- Winter advice
- Come with questions
- Tips, where to go
- Chat with other members
NOVEMBER
Culture Club: Movie Night.
When: 25th November at 17.30
Where: Aveny Bio – Skellefteå centrum.
We will choose the movie more near the date – the idea is to meet at the movie theatre in town to go and see a movie – and then hang a bit to discuss it over some dinner or drinks! Hope to see some movie aficionados!
You can sign up in the FB event – click here!
EFA & VÄSTERBOTTENSTEATERN COLLABORATION: MIRA – 25th & 26th of November!
Once again, thanks to Västerbottensteatern we have the wonderful opportunity to enjoy the performance “MIRA” on the 25th and 26th of November! – For EFA members there is an 2 for 1 offer. Buy 1, get 1 free.
If you are interested, please sign up in the FB comments- click here or write to: info@expatsandfriends.se and we will send you the code so you can book/pay for the tickets. A wonderful story with few words, suitable for all ages and very easy to understand no matter what language you speak.
Here is the link to buy the tickets once you have received the CODE.
WREATH WORKSHOP
Date: November 22
Time: 17.00 – 18.00
Where: Storgatan 53, SE 931 30 – Skellefteå
Theme: Christmas wreath
Seats: 8
What is European Union (EU) and what is happening in Europe right now?
Meet & Greet: EFA and NUITEQ
The Expats and Friends Association (EFA) wants to facilitate and guide newcomers to Skellefteå to learn more about what companies are in the region and what kind of jobs are available.
When: November 12
Time: 12.30 – 14.30
Where: Laboratorgränd 11, 931 77 , Skellefteå
EFA and NUITEQ invite you for a lunch meeting (food/snacks and drinks) at NUITEQ premises, where NUITEQ will host members of the EFA community and give them the opportunity to meet each other.
The event is all about networking, send CVs and circulate them within the local IT community.
Among the guests will be Skellefteå Digital Alliance and Tietoevry.
Welcome!
EFA & EXPLORATORIET!
- Ghost walk
- Hologram
- Stargazing
OCTOBER
EFA HALLOWEEN PARTY!
A wicked good time for everyone!
Time: 13.00-16.00
Where: Storgatan 18, Building B
Fee: 50 sek/adult (EFA Swish ACC 1230019638). Children free of charge.
Max 40 persons so please remember to register in time!
More info on FB – click here!
MEET & GREET: Welcoming the cold!
When: October 28th
Where: House Be Svalan, Strandgatan 48A
Time: 17.30
Welcome to a conversation on how to handle the cold.
Toby Cowern will take us thru this journey and give very important and useful tips on how to dress and manage cold weather. What to do in an emergency situation? Amongst other topics. Visit Skellefteå will be there too to give tips on winter activities.
Please sign up in the FB event – click here!
HOCKEY – Special Scandic Evening
BERÄTTARGALAN – in English
When: Friday 21st – 18.30
Where: Nordanåteatern
Under Berättarfestivalen (The Story Telling Festival) – Expats & Friends Association – Skellefteå, Sweden (NBC & SBF) together with local storytellers and live music: Norra Glädjen, will have an ALL English storytelling performance with FREE entry! Welcome ALL!
BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE FIRE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE!
- Coffee/tea at the gathering point, The Great Northern (TGN) – back entrance.
- Round trip by bus Skellefteå-Jörn (1 stop in Boliden).
- Tickets covered.
SEPTEMBER
MEET & GREET : CULTURE CLUB
When: September 30
Where: Västerbottens rum, Stadsbibliotek – SARA kulturhus
Time: start 17.30 till (?)(the last one leaves)
Do you love culture, good food and meeting people? Then you are more than welcome!
We plan to have a great cultural evening. Fransesca Quartey (former VD Västerbottensteatern) will take us thru the history of culture in Sweden.
The plan is to see a performance, have something to eat & drink. Mingle and talk about the experience afterwards, and plan what we would like to do next.
For more information go to the FB event and sign-up. Thanks.
HOCKEY – Special Scandic Evening
EFA ANNUAL PICNIC 2022 AT THE GREAT NORTHERN!
An event for all ages!
CREATERS & MAKERS!
Where: The Great Northern, Skellefteå
Do you run a small business/ self-employed or do you aspire to turn a hobby into a business?
STUDENT START!
Program 5 September
11: 30-14: 00
It is a mixed program with light lunch to the tunes of a band involved in Mullberget’s association. Here you get to meet nice people who are happy to tell you about things that will make your study time both easier and more enjoyable. We are located at Campusparken, indoors or outdoors depending on the weather and wind. But you will find us.
For more info click here
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES with Toby Cowern
With (easy) access to nature and a large selling point of moving to the North of Sweden being focused on healthy work/life balance, EFA plans to organise and deliver a number of nature access events, representative of the relative seasons.
These activities start this summer with the first event being ‘Stress Reduction and Nature’.
This two hour workshop will provide clear and detailed guidance in a practical, engaging, fun filled form into easy but powerful ways to integrate positive, nature engagement into your daily and weekly lifestyle routines.
The event is delivered on partnership with Hello Nature AB, who work with an interesting concept known as the 4’i’s in their activity delivery. That all events delivered should provide attends the opportunity to be:
Imponerad (Impressed)
Investerade (Invested)
JULY
WELCOME TO A DAY IN BURTRÄSK!
JUNE
There is no one too old to have fun… So off the couch and come out to socialise!
SUMMER THEATRE!
6th of June: National Day – Nordanå
Lions Club Skellefteå will arrange as every year the national day at Nordanå in association with Skellefteå Kommun.
Expats and Friends Association will partner up too and take part to the outdoor event starting with carnival from centrum/Torget to Nordanå, continuing with sales and donation later on of the money from a 10m sandwich with filling specific your country and not least performance of traditional songs and dances in folk costumes that shows your identity.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could volunteer to any of these activities:
1. Carnival (playing an instrument, show your traditional costume or contribute with something typical for such event).
2. Help us with the filling and sales of the sandwich (a small amount of your expense is reimbursed).
3. Join the day, sing and/or perform one of your traditional dances.
Please get back to us, PM on Messenger to Monica Gimerus or Cristina Lindberg Ghimpu and/or send an e-mail at: info@expatsandfriends.se
Deadline, May 20th
Many many thanks in advance!!
MAY
Children’s Day!
Time: 13.00-15.00
This year, EFA and Studieförbundet Bilda Nord would like to do something special for/with children just before the International Children’s Day.
Fika available for children and grown ups.
GUIDED TOUR IN ENGLISH – SARA KULTURHUS!
Expats & Friends Association – Skellefteå, Sweden (EFA) will participate to the Morning Meeting at Scandic Hotel, May 6th at 7.00 am.
Topic: International competencies
With all the investments and establishments that take place in Skellefteå and the northern region, it will not be enough to recruit locally and nationally, we will need to turn to Europe and the rest of the world. How do we take advantage of international competence and how do we attract people to discover Skellefteå? We will address this hyper-current topic at the next morning meeting on May 6 at Scandic in Skellefteå.
Participants:
Jens Pihlblad, Marketing Manager Minnovation
Sven Burman, content producer Visit Skellefteå
Jonas Lindgren, Head of the Talent Acquisition business area Gruvor Boliden
Rehana Lothian and Per Dinborn from Expats and Friends
For registration please click on the following link -Deadline May, 4th. You can also watch the streaming of the event online!
APRIL
Expats and Friends Association and Exploratoriet Skellefteå invite you to a: “Spaceship workshop” – for both children and adults!
Offer: 2 tickets for 1, coffee/Festis
Registration: info@expatsandfriends.se or write in the comments in the FB event.
During this workshop you get to create mini-space ships and satellites. Can your spaceship fly closest to the moon?
Thursday May 12th, 18:15-19:45
Studieförbundet Bilda, Stationsgatan 15
MARCH
EFA & KULTURFÖRENINGEN MULLBERGET come together!
A musical collaboration – calling all international musicians!
Friday, 25th of March 2022 – 16.00
EFA and Mulberget collaborate on a meeting of musical minds / jam session.
Newly arrived musicians will meet local musicians and explore possibilities for new collaborations.
For more information please write to: info@expatsandfriends.se (mark your email “Mullberget”)
