Filipstad Municipality, Värmlands Museum, Bergsskolan, the Swedish Museum of Natural History, and the Nordmark Heritage Association intend to jointly initiate the establishment of a Geopark in Filipstads Bergslag, Mineralriket Geopark. The aim is to showcase the area's unique geological values, promote rural development, and create a positive image of both the area and the region.

• The work on the geopark began in 2021.
• In the fall of 2023, the Mineralriket Geopark Wermlandsberg project was launched.
• On April 25, 2024, the Swedish Board of Agriculture approved our application for project support for the Mineralriket Geopark Wermlandsberg project.

About the Project

With support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development/Swedish Board of Agriculture/Leader, we are undertaking a project aimed at developing a unique geologically interesting visitor destination in Filipstads Bergslag and creating conditions to apply for the status of Swedish Geopark. The primary purpose of the geopark is to showcase the world's richest mineral area and to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing on geology and related issues – particularly sustainability issues.

The Project Consists of:

• Collaboration and Organization: The geopark is based on strong collaboration between participating actors and the local population.
• Creation of the Geopark: A geopark requires accessible information and nature guidance, so many activities will focus on creating both physical and digital materials that meet these requirements.
• School and Education: Activities targeting schools and visitors, focusing on the art of communicating geology in an understandable way.

The goal of the project is to have established collaboration and a fully functional geopark that meets the requirements to be approved as a certified Swedish Geopark.

The project is a Leader project and is financed by the EU. The Leader method is a working method for rural development that is based on a tripartite partnership between public actors, business representatives, and the non-profit sector.