Dalarna | Sweden
Welcome to freedom creativity community in the Swedish forest.
Need a break from being a grown-up? Come experience off-grid living in the Nordic forest.
We’re Indra and Joel, the creators of onthefreeside, our very own wild little summer sanctuary deep in the Nordic forest. From April to September, we throw open the gates and welcome people to experience the real Swedish summer: bonfires, tiny house builds, off-grid living, and a community that knows how to have a damn good time.
What started as a dream to build a tiny house in 2021 has grown into something bigger. Volunteers, retreats, festivals, and summer camps for adults who want more than the usual tourist bullshit. Here, you can fish in the lake, forage for mushrooms, cook over open flames, learn bushcraft, build something with your hands, have a rave in the woods, and a hangover in the hammock. No pressure, no pretense, just connection, inclusivity, a pinch of chaos, and a handful of crazy fun.
We believe in a new way of living in nature. Society tells us to grow up fast, get a degree and chase success. But somewhere along the way, we forget to just play—no rules, no alarms, just community, forests, and bonfires..
Volunteer program.
Come hang out with us and help us build a tiny house in our alternative living community in Scandinavia. Experience off-grid life, grow food, swim in lakes, and create something magical. Trading 25 hours of work a week for cozy meals, a place to stay, and memories you won’t forget.
Spaces and projects.
From tiny homes, house restoration, and creating a garden in Sweden to upcoming off-grid living projects in Europe, we’re creating a safe, queer-friendly, and inclusive community for people to live, learn, and create.
Retreats.
Learn to forage wild ingredients, mix up forest-inspired cocktails, master fire-making techniques, build shelters, Cook over open flames, craft with raw materials from the earth, and sleep under the open sky. Live off-grid in the Nordic forest, no bullshit, just good people, crackling fires, and the kind of nights you don’t want to end. Disconnect from society & reconnect with yourself.
What if life wasn’t a race? What if you swapped stress for sunsets, deadlines for bonfires, and all that city noise for the stillness of the Nordic forest? A new way of living in nature, off-grid and real, built on community, creativity, and connection. Out here, we build, we grow, and we live together, with dirty hands & happy hearts.
get updates
Our newsletter is where we share all the good stuff—updates on retreats, volunteer spots, behind-the-scenes stories, and future festival plans. No spam, no nonsense, just real-life Freeside moments straight to your inbox.
