Applications for Sweden's finest award are now open!
Exciting that you want to apply to become Student City of the Year! One of Sweden's finest awards that several cities have proudly carried since 1999! Last year it was Skövde that was awarded the award - will it be you this year?
Application
The application for Student City of the Year 2026 is made via email. Below are the questions we would like answers to. If you have material you would like to supplement, there is the possibility of sending attachments to the application.
The application should consist of descriptions of how the city achieves the criteria that SFS considers to be of great importance for being considered a good student city. The criteria are discussed in sections with associated questions and examples that provide support for answering the section. It is possible to attach appendices to strengthen the sections. Examples could be strategies from the municipality/university/student union. All appendices should be referred to in the application.
The students, the municipality and a higher education institution are the minimum joint applicant parties for the award, otherwise an application is not considered valid. More parties, such as other parts of the public sector and the business community, are welcome to be co-applicants. SFS assesses the application based on what has been done, what is being done and what is planned to be done. A tip is therefore to think along these lines when filling in the respective sections.
Please note that the criteria have been updated for this year's award.
Criteria
A student city to live in
This year's student city is an open and welcoming city. The city actively works to ensure a reasonable housing market, and there are good communications for students to get to and from campus, as well as around the city. The city is characterized by a vibrant student life where non-profit engagement is allowed to take place and leave its mark on the city.
A student city with the student at the center
This year's student city is characterized by collaboration. Students are given real influence where their opinions and needs are not only heard, but also taken into account and allowed to take center stage. The university's operations are characterized by collaboration and the local labor market is woven into the education. The student union is given regular opportunities to meet and influence local representatives.
Schedule
| October 13 | Application opens |
| November 14 | Application closes |
| November and December | Site visit. |
| December 6 | Decision on appointment |
| January 2026 | Announcement of Student City of the Year 2026 |
Questions
For questions, please contact [email protected] or SFS chairman Rasmus Lindstedt on phone 070 545 75 57.
The jury for Student City of the Year 2026 consists of SFS chairman Rasmus Lindstedt and board members Linus Holmström and Charlotta Pettersson.
The different parts of the application
1. Formalities
- Who is behind the application, and
- contact information for applicants.
2. A student city to live in
This year's student city is an open and welcoming city. The city actively works to ensure a reasonable housing market, and there are good communications for students to get to and from campus, as well as around the city. The city is characterized by a vibrant student life where non-profit engagement is allowed to take place and leave its mark on the city.
Question 1.
How is the city working to ensure an accessible and affordable housing market for students, and what concrete steps and priorities have been taken and made to build more student housing?
Question 2.
How is an open and welcoming climate promoted for all students, including international students and doctoral students?
Question 3.
How is the non-profit student involvement given space and support to leave its mark on the city's life and culture?
Question 4.
What efforts are being made to create a pleasant and inclusive urban environment even outside campus?
3. A student city with the student at the center
This year's student city is characterized by collaboration. Students are given real influence where their opinions and needs are not only heard, but also taken into account and allowed to take center stage. The university's operations are characterized by collaboration and the local labor market is woven into the education. The student union is given regular opportunities to meet and influence local representatives.
Question 5.
How is the real influence of students ensured in the decision-making processes of the municipality and the university, including in political decisions that affect students' living conditions?
Question 6.
How do the municipality, the university and the student union work together to ensure that the students' perspectives are safeguarded in the development of the city?
Question 7.
How is the local labor market integrated into the education programs, and in what way does the city's work contribute to strengthening the connection between education and working life?
Question 8.
How does the ongoing collaboration between the student union, municipality, university and other stakeholders take place?
4. SFS General Council Meeting 2027
The SFS General Council is the highest decision-making body of the Swedish National Union of Students and is arranged in the city that is nominated as Student City of the Year. More questions about arranging the SFS General Council meeting in 2027 will come later in the process. The meeting takes place between April 15 and May 15 and is usually held on a Thursday to Sunday.
Question 9.
What are the possibilities of hosting SFSFUM 2027? How would you put your mark on the event?
5. Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
If you send attachments, please describe them here!
Question 10.
Is there anything else you would like to inform or tell us about?
6. Thank you for your application!
The application is sent to [email protected] no later than November 14, 2025.