Mia Swärdh

My name is Mia Swärdh, and I am the Vice Chairwoman and a board member of IKF Malmö since 2015. I have run my own company since 1995, focusing on project work and project development at local, regional, national, and transnational levels within EU and national programs. My projects have targeted both individual development and organizational growth. Sometimes I have managed projects independently, and other times my assignments have involved supporting others with project organization and development, process management, and evaluation – often at the intersection between academia and society.

My areas of expertise include project development and administration, organizational development, learning organizations and learning evaluation, entrepreneurship, business development and innovation – with a focus on women’s entrepreneurship, gender, and diversity – as well as the development of tools and methods.

When I moved from Halmstad to Malmö in 2007, IKF Malmö became a natural platform for me. I had already been in contact with IKF through the project International Competence, where I worked to support refugees and immigrants in finding pathways into the labor market. At IKF, I initially participated in, among other things, a network for women entrepreneurs called Q-net. Over the years, I have also had consulting assignments for IKF before joining the board in 2015.For me, IKF Malmö is about building and participating in networks – between individuals, organizations, regions, and countries. It feels inspiring and exciting to be part of creating a shared platform for project actors, where individuals can connect even if they are in another part of Sweden or elsewhere in Europe.

Privately, art, culture, and food are a natural part of my life. I hope to further develop my interest in gardening, travel more, experience new environments and meet new people, and spend more time with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A motto that inspires me is not to be afraid to share ideas, thoughts, and experiences. The diversity within networks is their strength – 1 + 1 = 3. Collaborating with individuals in organizations and companies and building cross-border networks has always been a source of inspiration for me. Encounters between people and cultures are enriching.