In July 2025 a foundation was established with the purpose of managing, in the long term, parts of Hästekasen Gård; its land, infrastructure, and some movable property. This was a planned step and a development of 15 years of activity in an association with similar aims and objectives.
The founders and donors were Hästekasen Gård Association and Sebastian Näslund. The foundation currently owns 1.5 hectares, leases about 5 hectares, and occasionally borrows/rents an additional 4 hectares. The foundation owns/rents a number of simple buildings used for storage and for basic temporary housing.
The farm also includes parts of a harbor.
The foundation is named as beneficiary in a will for the entire Hästekasen Gård, consisting of 14 hectares and at least four dwellings.
The foundation seeks private individuals and other communities to collaborate with concerning its purposes and objectives; see especially §2.3 and §2.4.
Extract from the statutes (purpose and objectives) (Full statutes here)
§1 Purpose
The general purpose of the Foundation is to promote :
– Country side living
– Forestry and small scale farming
– Use of nature’s resources with local traditional and low tech solutions
– Building with natural (local) materials
– Care for ecosystem and nature conservation
– Small scale and community solutions
– Innovation and education in above areas
– Manage land and infrastructure it owns, leases and acquires.
§2 Activities and Goals
- Develop and manage simple, ecologically and economically sustainable and resilient methods to meet basic human needs locally and, if possible, independently: Shelter, Warmth, Water, Food, Sanitation, Waste management, Sewage, and also; Health, Recreation, Culture.
1.1. Develop resilient self-sufficiency methods. - Preserve agro-cultural heritage and traditional regenerative practices related to the above activities. As well as seeking innovative low tech solutions to above activities.
- Develop a community of active participants and users driving the operations in line with the goals.
3.1. If appropriate, transfer daily operations to this community under a separate organization. - Offer the place for simple small housing to individuals actively engaged in the foundation’s goals, to enable the activities and support rural repopulation.
4.1. Private use of shared spaces must give compensation to the foundation.
4.2. A maximum number of residents based on the land’s carrying capacity.
4.3. In some cases, open the site and activities for digital or physical demonstration.
4.4. Include targeted initiatives for youth. - Create conditions for income/donations to acquire more land and build more infrastructure (up to 70–99 self-sufficient residents).
5.1. Seek income/donations to support other goals within the statutes. - If capital allows, award scholarships to those active on-site who ideally promote the foundation’s goals.
§3 Core purpose
§3.1. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to go through or recover from a crisis, like; major ecological degradation and/or social unrest, possibly leading to a lawless and resourceless society and the interruption of critical societal functions.
Hästekasen Village aims to be a place that can endure such times, with participants that would defend its integrity and identity.
Resilience is in part to be in control of the creation of resources, focused on active and practical work on site. But also to maintain health and social cohesion. And to be able to adapt to unknown, changing and possibly difficult conditions.
§3.1.1 Economic sustainability
Work should aim for economic sustainability, meaning here efficiency, a ratio between the resources spent and the resources produced superior to 1.
In Swedish language, to “household” means to be careful with resources (hushåll-a).
Permaculture methods could be utilized.
§3.1.2 Diversity
The community should strive for diversity in skills and knowledge and attitudes related to §2 and §3.
§3.1.3 Simple living
In order to attain resilience and independence, one must strive to use and need less resources. A simple standard of living (compared to 2025 Swedish standard) is an ambition. This includes reduced costs, less material luxury and thus less work needed to fulfil these desires, leading to more time/resources to spend on the social, cultural and health aspects of life.
§3.2. Holistic personal health
Living at Hästekasen Village should focus on health. Striving for long term holistic health leading to well-being and longevity and a feeling of self fulfillment.
– No production, consumption or trafficking of illegal drugs (as of 2025 Swedish laws). All use of mind-altering substances prohibited, apart from OCCASIONAL alcohol. No addictive behaviors that affect personal agency or independence and/or severely affect the neighbors.
– Active lifestyle.
– Living close to and enjoying nature and its seasons and weather.
– Deepening the understanding and ability of one’s body while avoiding injuries and illnesses.
– Individuals’ health includes artistic expressions.
§3.3 Ecosystems’ health
Carry out all activities in harmony with functioning ecosystems and conduct nature conservation.
§3.4 Social health or being a good neighbor
Striving for interpersonal relationships based on trust, quality communication, respect, cooperation, generosity and the awareness that one’s lifestyle affects others. This encompasses showing availability, attending meetings, solving conflicts and even compromising.
Sociocracy could be a useful method.
§3.4.1 Solidarity
Solidarity is part of being a good neighbour but also of being resilient on the community level. Yet, only once our own individual basic needs are secured do we expand our solidarity to wider and wider social circles. From ourselves to children, to partners, to our family, then to our neighbours, and finally, if pragmatically possible, to people outside the community and animals (non humans).
The community is formed of participants that share the vision and abide by the guidelines with no other criteria of selection. Foreigners are welcome.
§3.5. Personal agency and accountability
Personal accountability is a requirement for living at Hästekasen Village. Living by one’s agency and taking responsibility for it. The Village in itself does not guarantee resources to individuals. Participants must rather enter with their own resources and/or be productive in the activities pursued at the Hästekasen Village. Participants are encouraged to develop a cooperative network with neighbours to cover for some needs or lack of resources.
§3.5.1 Private ownership and privacy.
The Hästekasen Village endorses sharing responsibility and ownership for certain resources where there is an obvious gain of time/money/value. Gains that can be used for other social, cultural or private priorities.
But private ownership and independence is encouraged because it leads to resources being better taken care of and to more agency for the individual. Ownership of infrastructure and possible life long leases of land should be available whenever possible.
§3.6. Rational pragmatism
Decisions and work are to be based on practical considerations, rational prioritizations and problem solving, a scientific approach, and having a broad perspective in mind. This notably means that things should be tried before being decided upon.
§3.6.1 Secularity
The Foundation’s core operations (especially §2 and the expression of the core principles) must be secular.
Hästekasen By Stiftelse
admin@hastekasen.se
Hästekasvägen 9
451 96 Uddevalla
Bank:
Account holder: Hästekasen By Stiftelse
IBAN:
BIC:
SUMMARY
A foundation in Sweden lasts forever. Its statutes cannot be changed. It has no members, it has a board. And usually beneficiaries and a cause. The statutes describe the cause and if there are beneficiaries. (For instance the Nobel foundation delivers the Nobel prize). Swedish foundations must own something, they are based on capital, land or buildings. In the case of Hästekasen, it will be mainly land, to be partially leased for private homesteading. It is the donator that initially decides the cause and the statutes. Since the purpose of a foundation is to live beyond generations, both the cause and the statutes must be clearly and wisely written.
The goal is to create the right circumstances for a good life for a community of like-minded people on the Foundation’s lands.
Hästekasen village is a place that welcomes people and activities that deal with homesteading and simple cheap living close to nature and in harmony with ecosystems. It invites people that are interested in good neighbors or just creative nature based projects. Some resources are shared through the foundation, but the place encourages independence and private ownership of infrastructure and long leases of privately controlled land. Residents should be creative and DIY minded. There is an “anti drug policy”.
Currently the foundation controls one plot of land of 1.5 hectares, but leases another 8 hectares (approx). At the moment 4 people are permanently registered here, but some 10-15 people/”members” visit regularly over the year, mostly the 6 months warmer season. The semi long term aim is 15 residents and many returning visitors/members. The long term aim is a community of 70-99 good neighbors.
You can visit activities / events here
You can rent a tiny house here
You can build a tiny house here (if accepted by current residents/board)
You can rent a plot of land here on an annual basis.
You can get a long lease for small plot of land (after trial residency)
You should read the statutes and see what type of
Member Categories / Residency Types
- Board member of the foundation
1b) Board member of the residents’ association - Leaseholder – owns their dwelling, holds a lifetime lease on a plot
- Own dwelling with rented plot
- Own dwelling without a plot
- Tenant of a dwelling with rented plot
- Tenant of a dwelling without plot
- Short-term tenant (trial stay)
- Short-term tenant – returning member
- External supporter
- Residential visitor
- General visitor