Åsele is a little town in the north of Sweden and over a longer period of time Åsele has been getting smaller and smaller. The population (befolkning) has decreased by 11,4% and people between 20-64 have been moving away at an every growing rate. Between 2008 and 2018 the working force will have decreased by 26,4 %.

The town council has set up the goal to move up 150 places on the ‘Business and management ranking list’ (näringslivs ranking lista)  in Sweden since they are tired of always coming last of all the recommended towns/cities to invest in. This goal will mean making the city more attractive for companies (företag) and other industries to establish their businesses as well as encouraging people to start their own businesses.

The town council has also made a decision to ban Jante-lagen (Tall-poppy-syndrome) from their town. Tall Poppy Syndrome is based on the idea “You shouldn’t think you are better than anyone else.” and “Do you think you are something special? Well if you do then let me tell you that you aren’t!” This decision was made because the town can not afford to have businesses fall apart because of local jealousy or malice. So the entrances to Åsele now have signs stating that Jante-lagen stops here. The Jante-lag was banned because it is an obstacle for development. If a small town up in the far north can come to that conclusion then why can’t everybody?