# data[].attributes.custom_properties.6kd0aWoY
"Tactical Urbanism / Event-Based Activation: Using a temporary festival to activate and reimagine a public square (August-Frölich-Platz).
Temporary Pedestrianization: Closing the street to traffic to prioritize people, enhance safety, and change the perception and use of the space during the event.
Cultural Programming: Organizing performances (music, dance, artists) and discussions (local history, culture) to attract attendees and give the event a distinct identity.
Community Engagement & Collaboration: Actively involving residents, volunteers, youth ambassadors, and local organizations in the planning, execution, and activities of the festival."

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The Frö(h)lich Platzfest was a three-day neighbourhood festival held on August-Frölich-Platz in Weimar, designed to celebrate public space and community spirit. Part of the "City Makers" project, it featured diverse performances and activities, successfully bringing hundreds of neighbours together. The event highlighted community collaboration and generated ideas for future improvements to the square's quality and use.

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Residents of the Weimar Westvorstadt neighbourhood, the broader Weimar community, local artists and performers, community volunteers, and partner organizations involved in local development and culture.

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Ernst-Kohl-Straße 23, 99423 Weimar, Germany

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"Adaptive Reuse: Transforming a historic building (Customs Office, former schools) into a contemporary cultural center (media archive and event space).
Cultural Programming & Activation: Hosting workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative projects to draw people in and give the space a distinct, active identity focused on media and digital culture.
Historical Interpretation & Preservation: Consciously preserving traces of the building's past lives while adapting it, adding layers of meaning and connection to place."

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OMA e.V. is a nonprofit organization housed in Weimar's historic former Ducal Customs Office, dedicated to creating open archives for media art and culture. Since 2009, they have adapted this culturally significant building, preserving its historical traces while using it as a contemporary hub. OMA actively fosters engagement with digital culture, archives, and technology through various public programs.

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Individuals interested in media art, digital culture, archives, and technology; artists, researchers, students, cultural enthusiasts, and the general public engaged by exhibitions and workshops.

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Antalieptes Marios, Zarasai District Municipality, Litvanya

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​Innovators’ Valley employs placemaking methods by transforming Antalieptė's historical spaces into vibrant centers for creativity and collaboration. They organize seminars, training sessions, and festivals that address social issues, fostering a sense of community and encouraging active participation. Additionally, they offer creative, work, and leisure spaces that promote social innovation and environmental awareness.

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The Innovators’ Valley team aims to open doors to creativity and workspaces in nature. Established in 2015 by the National Social Integration Institute, the initiative focuses on the development of social business and social innovation. Guided by the placemaking concept, the team integrates this approach into their everyday work, creating meaningful spaces that connect people, ideas, and the natural environment.

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"The scope of Innovators’ Valley’s work is broad, making it difficult to define just one target group. However, in a nutshell, the organization works with young people with fewer opportunities at national, regional, and international levels. In addition, they engage with youth workers, educators, national and international volunteers, as well as artists, fostering collaboration across various fields and communities.

"

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Inovatorių slėnis | Atradimų ir kūrybos erdvė

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Innovators’ Valley was founded in 2015 by the “National Social Integration Institute” team, aiming to open the door for creativity and working space in nature. Our main objective is the development of social business and social innovations.

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Merkinė, Varėna District Municipality, Litvanya

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The Power of Place- Merkine (Open youth space)

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The Power of Place- Merkine (Open youth space)

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Designing and transforming old youth space that was never fully finished,  doing all DIY work themselves and graffiti, connectting with community to collect some things that are needed for this space. 

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The Power of Place- Merkine (Open youth space)

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"Through the youth participation project ""The Power of Place"", project workers are holding weekly meetings with young people at the Merkinė Cultural Centre, where they have begun the process of re-opening a youth space that was previously closed by the former director.

Using the placemaking approach, the work goes beyond transforming the physical environment—it also focuses on rebuilding relationships between young people and the institution. The team is actively creating and moderating a dialogue between youth and cultural centre staff, aiming to foster trust, collaboration, and a sense of shared ownership of the space."

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Young people aged 13–18, living in peripheral or rural areas, who often face geographical and economic obstacles. Many of them experience geographical and econimical obsticals. 

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Merkinės Kultūros Centras, Merkine. 2,981 likes · 109 talking about this · 88 were here. Atviri kultūros namai

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Designing and transforming old room, doing all DIY work themselves and finaly painting and graffiti, construction of wooden furniture. 

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"Through the youth participation project ""The Power of Place"", project cordinator used young placemaking methods to create an open youth space in the Valkininkai Cultural Centre, a public institution. Local cultural workers received support and guidance on how to engage effectively with young people. As a result, the space became popular and well-functioning, now offering 1–2 youth-focused activities per week, tailored to the needs of the local youth community. The Open Youth Space was launched on 14th of March, 2025. 

"

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Young people aged 13–18, living in peripheral or rural areas, who often face geographical and economic obstacles. Many of them experience geographical and econimical obsticals. 

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Young people telling about their journey during the renovations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meKFW_7GEow          Opening of the youth space and discussion with local decision makers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WK-BLjb5cw 

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Valkininkų kultūros centras | Valkininkai

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Valkininkų kultūros centras, Valkininkai. 958 likes · 98 talking about this. Šiame profilyje skelbiama informacija apie Valkininkuose ir Valkininkų kultūros centre vykstančius renginius.

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They have several projects and initiatives around the city that use different forms of placemaking

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A research and innovation hub dedicated to envisioning and shaping the present and future of Bologna and its inhabitants. This is achieved through shared experiences and pathways that preserve and valorize environmental and social resources as common assets.

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The people of Bologna with special attention to social justice issues

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Graffiti, mural art and re-qualification of an older area

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A very nice and recently decorated space, managed by an organisation that provide activities for the community, to foster political and civic participation of the citizens, while also hosting other events

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The local community as a whole but with particilar attention to migrants and minorities, with dedicated events (e.g Nowruz festival)

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Csoa Angelina Cartella | Reggio di Calabria

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Csoa Angelina Cartella, Reggio Calabria. Mi piace: 6128 · 28 persone ne parlano · 1150 persone sono state qui. L’importanza di creare pratiche di autogestione, azione diretta, strutture autorganizzate.

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Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria ili, İtalya

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Graffiti, mural art, DIY construction of spaces and green areas to accomodate different events

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Public space redecorated and used for events and cultural initiatives for all age groups and that is constantly developing to accomodate the neighbourhood needs

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Associazione d. f. artistico-culturale KHROMAGHÈ

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Group of young people who took the initiative and redecorated the space for the local neighbourhood of l'Immacolata 

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Güzelyalı Kültür Mrk., Güzelyalı, Konak/İzmir, Türkiye

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•	Community Storytelling
•	Interactive Public Installations

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Memory Box is a public art installation designed to curate and activate urban memory as a transformative agent within the Güzelyalı neighborhood of İzmir, Turkey. Spearheaded by UrbanTank, the project sought to empower civic activities by making collective memories visible and engaging.

The initiative focused on the transformation of the 'As Movie Theatre' from the 1980s into a cultural center, a process driven by civic engagement. The Memory Box installation was strategically placed in the public space adjacent to the cultural center to emphasize and showcase the community's efforts in this transformation.

Designed as a mobile installation, the Memory Box featured videos from oral history studies projected onto its inner surfaces, while its outer panels served as canvases for recording new stories and voices. Visitors entering the box were immersed in narratives detailing the history of the 'As Movie Theatre' and its evolution into a cultural hub, effectively bridging past and present community experiences.

The project's components were also exhibited at the K2 Contemporary Art Center in İzmir, extending its reach to a broader audience and fostering a city-wide dialogue on collective memory and civic participation.

Memory Box exemplifies how curated urban memory can transcend passive recollection, becoming an active and transformative force that empowers communities and enriches public spaces.

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Kuzguncuk Bostanı, Kuzguncuk, Bostan Sokak, Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye

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•	Community organizing and advocacy
•	Media campaigns (including social media mobilization)
•	Legal action and appeals to protection authorities
•	Public demonstrations and cultural events
•	Integration of cultural heritage in advocacy efforts

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uzguncuk Bostanı is a 700-year-old urban green space located in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, along the Bosphorus. Known historically as “Ilya’s farm,” it stands as one of the last remaining community-accessible green spaces in a heavily urbanized area.

The site has been under constant threat of urban development, with plans to build hospitals, private schools, and other infrastructure. The Kuzguncuk Inhabitants Association, established in 1977, emerged as a critical actor in resisting such developments, mobilizing community members, coordinating advocacy campaigns, and utilizing media platforms to gain public support.

Despite various attempts to repurpose the land, sustained community resistance has preserved Kuzguncuk Bostanı as a public space, demonstrating the power of collective action, cultural heritage appreciation, and grassroots organizing. The Council of Natural Protection ultimately rejected development plans, allowing the site to remain accessible to the public.

This initiative highlights how community ownership, advocacy, and participatory decision-making can effectively counter top-down urban planning efforts. The Kuzguncuk Bostanı movement also emphasizes the importance of maintaining urban green spaces for community well-being, cultural heritage, and environmental justice.

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Kuzguncuk Inhabitants Association (Kuzguncuklular Derneği) – Established in 1977

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Local residents, urban farmers, environmentalists, heritage activists, Üsküdar citizens 

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•	Long-term advocacy efforts can protect public spaces when backed by strong local networks.
•	Linking community activism with cultural heritage preservation can strengthen advocacy efforts.
•	Engaging various stakeholders and leveraging diverse advocacy methods is crucial for success.
•	Continuous adaptation and resilience are key when facing prolonged conflicts with authorities and developers.

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Sabancı Üniversitesi, Orta, Üniversite Caddesi, Tuzla/İstanbul, Türkiye

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•	Participatory design and planning
•	Hands-on workshops and practical training
•	Artistic interventions
•	Collaborative problem-solving

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In May 2023, Onaranlar Kulübü collaborated with Sabancı University's Civic Involvement Projects Unit to launch the Kampüs Hacking Projesi, aiming to foster student participation in enhancing their living and learning environments. The project aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of Sustainable Cities and Communities, encouraging students to engage actively with their surroundings and develop a sense of belonging.
The initiative involved 30 students who participated in both theoretical and practical training sessions. Divided into groups, they conducted on-campus explorations to identify needs, followed by idea development, design, production, and implementation phases. Three main intervention areas were addressed: 
1.	Walking Track Enhancements: Students used 3D modeling and printing techniques to create distance markers for the campus walking track, providing users with information on distances covered.
2.	Mural Creation: Illustration artist Uğur Acil designed a mural applied to a wall in Street 18, adding vibrant visuals to the area. 
3.	Socialization Spaces: New furniture was designed and produced for areas around the campus pool to create inviting social spaces. Additionally, ground painting activities were conducted to enhance the aesthetic appeal of these areas.

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Onaranlar Kulübü (Repair Club) and Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects Unit​

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University students in SU, campus community​

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Roof Coliving Topluluk Evi, Kardelen, Yenimahalle/Ankara, Türkiye

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Learning About the Collective Development and Management of Buildings

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Learning About the Collective Development and Management of Buildings

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•	Participatory design and planning 
•	Community engagement and empowerment
•	Collaborative management of shared spaces

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Learning About the Collective Development and Management of Buildings

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This collaborative project between Roof Coliving (Türkiye) and ACRED (Hungary) focused on the collective development and management of community-based buildings for housing and workspaces. It aimed to exchange knowledge and develop practical solutions for creating sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven environments.A critical takeaway from this initiative is the importance of cross-border collaboration. By combining ACRED’s experience in establishing community-based housing and Roof Coliving’s expertise in participatory design, the project created a comprehensive roadmap for developing collective housing models. This roadmap was particularly valuable in economically volatile contexts, where traditional financing mechanisms are less effective.The project also highlights the significance of participatory design methodologies in fostering ownership and inclusivity among community members. Empowering residents to actively contribute to decision-making processes ensures that collective housing models are tailored to the needs and aspirations of their users.Additionally, the initiative underscores the importance of understanding local economic contexts when developing sustainable financing mechanisms. Collaborative management and creative problem-solving were instrumental in enhancing the Kazán community’s shared space, providing a replicable model for other community-based real estate projects.This project demonstrates that successful placemaking initiatives require inclusive engagement, flexible financing models, and a willingness to adapt methods to local realities. It serves as a valuable resource for practitioners aiming to implement or support collective housing models and collaborative management processes.

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Roof Coliving (Türkiye) and Alliance for Collaborative Real Estate Development (ACRED) (Hungary)​

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Community members interested in collective housing and workspace development, local authorities, and organizations involved in community-based real estate projects.​

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İzmir Dayanışma Akademisi, Karal Apartmanı, Alsancak, Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi, Konak/İzmir, Türkiye

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İzmir Dayanışma Akademisi, Karal Apartmanı, Alsancak, Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi, Konak/İzmir, Türkiye

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İzmir Dayanışma Akademisi, Karal Apartmanı, Alsancak, Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi, Konak/İzmir, Türkiye

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•	Non-formal education approaches•	Facilitated dialogues between youth and local authorities

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Funded by  ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and MAD – Mekanda Adalet Derneği and supported by the Mercator Foundation, The "Active Youth – Active City" project focuses on empowering youth through creative placemaking processes and fostering dialogue between young individuals and local authorities. By exchanging and disseminating best practices between Türkiye and Lithuania in youth work, youth engagement, placemaking, and the right to the city, the project employs various creative methods to involve youth in identifying with their surroundings. Utilizing non-formal education approaches, it enhances their awareness of urban rights and amplifies their voices in dialogues with local authorities. Additionally, the project engages local authorities in constructive dialogues with civil society, raising their awareness of the specific needs of youth groups.

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Izmir Centre for the Right to the City (ICRC) and Padėk Pritapti

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Youth, local authorities, civil society organizations

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Center for the Right to the City & Padėk Pritapti | THE:PLACE - 1st Round

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Strada Statale 106 Jonica, Siderno, Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, Italy

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•	Community engagement through informal and online networks
•	Sustainable land use and permaculture experimentation
•	Artistic and creative collaborations rooted in local traditions

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Casetta Blu (Little Blue House) is a grassroots placemaking initiative located in Reggio Calabria, Italy. Once an abandoned and mysterious property passed down through generations, the house sat unused for years—sparking imagination and stories from locals and travelers passing by on the SS106 road.

In 2016–2017, following her father’s passing and renewed public interest after a Facebook post went viral, Maria Antonietta decided to reclaim and transform the house into a community space. Rather than selling it, she saw its potential to become a rare communal landmark in a region lacking accessible gathering places. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the idea solidified into a shared vision focused on creativity, childhood, nature, and local identity.

Casetta Blu is now evolving into a collaborative hub rooted in permaculture and sustainable design, hosting activities that blend land cultivation, cultural storytelling, and community resilience. Though privately owned, the space operates with a spirit of openness and inclusion, building a community-led network of family, friends, and neighbors.

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Community initiative led by Maria Antonietta
(Currently forming a Social Promotion Association – APS)

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La casetta blu, Reggio di Calabria. 5,756 likes · 1 talking about this · 289 were here. Una casa che ha ispirato storie, racconti, fantasie e sogni.
Un luogo del cuore dove progetti di forte impatto…

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•	Adaptive reuse of a space
•	Youth programming and international mobility
•	Civic engagement and democratic participation initiatives
•	Community hosting and inclusive space-making

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Il Paguro – Youth Hospitality and Engagement Center in a Confiscated Property

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Il Paguro is a youth center and hostel in Casapesenna, Italy, established in a confiscated property formerly owned by organized crime. The transformation of the villa into a vibrant space for social engagement exemplifies how placemaking can serve as a powerful tool for justice, inclusion, and youth empowerment. Granted to GIOSEF Italy by Agrorinasce, the property now operates as a "Center for Promoting Social Engagement and a Playroom,"hosting up to 28 people in a multifunctional, fully equipped facility.

Il Paguro offers a wide range of youth-focused programs, including ESC volunteering, intercultural exchanges, civic engagement actions, training courses, and community events. With a foundation in solidarity, innovation, and cooperation, the center supports both local and international youth in actively shaping their communities through learning and collaboration.
The project stands out as an example of restorative urban development, demonstrating how spaces once associated with harm can be repurposed into beacons of hope and progress.

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Young people (local and international), ESC volunteers, youth activists, marginalized youth, intercultural exchange participants

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the stories Welcome to the blog of Il Paguro Ostello, where we share stories of travel, hospitality, and transformation. Here, confiscated assets are reborn, communities are strengthened, and experiences become inspiration for a future of legality and inclusion. Because, like a hermit crab, change is our strength. The liberated shell A SHELL SET FREE The new dawn of the Paguro: footprints of the future. A SHELL SET FREE The transformation: from the Camorra to the community A SHELL SET FREE The clan’s villa Capturing voices Capturing Voices IMAGES IN RIVOLT: the photo exhibition Capturing Voices Common goal: youth, shots, and revolution. Capturing Voices Rebellious shots: protography that fights stereotypes The land Of the sun The land of the sun Casa Don Diana: From Camorra Hideout to Museum of Memory The land of the sun Arte Espressa: The Literary Café in the Heart of Casapesenna The land of the sun The history of NCO: New Organized Kitchen Paguro Files ESC Roots and Horizons: ESC 2025 at the PAGURO Youth Center ESC Beyond every border: European Solidarity Corps ESC Solidarity Habitat: ESC Volunteering in 2024 ESC Shells in Motion: ESC at Il Paguro 2022-2023

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Borgo Croce, Borgo Croce, Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, Italy

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•	Public art and mural installations
•	Community-led cultural events and festivals
•	Intergenerational volunteerism and co-creation

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Borgo Croce began in 2018 as a spontaneous artistic gesture in a near-abandoned village of 44 inhabitants in southern Italy. What started with a single mural painted by a group of friends turned into a transformative placemaking project. Led by Maria Grazia Chirico, the project evolved into a formal association with the goal of turning the entire village into a living canvas—reviving local identity, inspiring re-inhabitation, and attracting thousands of visitors.
Despite initial skepticism, the initiative gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic and, through increased visibility (even via Google Maps), became a destination for cultural tourism. With events like “Natale al Borgo” drawing over 35,000 visitors, Borgo Croce now boasts over 300 members, with 20 actively working on the initiative. The project has spurred local economic activity, encouraged young families to resettle, and sparked intergenerational collaboration.
The project is built on community dialogue, continuous adaptation, and shared decision-making, demonstrating the power of grassroots action to create meaningful change—even in remote and depopulated places.

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Rural residents, returning migrants, young families, intergenerational community members

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•	Stakeholder mapping 
•	Youth-centered workshops and surveys
•	Participatory urban storytelling (via app and media)
•	Non-formal education through gamified tools

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Place Making 4 Inclusion (PM4I) is an Erasmus+ funded initiative that demonstrates how placemaking can be a tool for social inclusion, youth empowerment, and democratic participation. Coordinated from Germany, the project brings together youth workers, local authorities, and community members to co-create inclusive public spaces and promote active citizenship. PM4I strengthens youth involvement in urban transformation, using placemaking not only as a design process but also as a medium for non-formal education and civic dialogue.
A key feature of PM4I is its multi-dimensional mapping methodology, which includes a Stakeholders Map, Good Practices Map, and Resources Map—each capturing critical insights into youth inclusion and placemaking across participating regions.
Innovatively, the project developed the PM4I AR Game App, an interactive educational tool for young people and youth ambassadors. The app presents the past, present, and imagined future of local spaces using text, visuals, and live open-source data. Through a creative drag-and-drop game, users can design their vision for the space's future, sparking engagement and imagination.

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Consortium of European partners (Urban Foxes, YEU, CGE Erfurt e.V, Annabel Mempel Environmental Consulting, Sguardi Urbani,Estel)

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Youth workers, marginalized youth, community stakeholders, urban changemakers

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Reviving Active Citizenshipfor Reshaping the Societies

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Parque Natural de la Sierra de Espadà, Carrer de Francesc Mondragón, Eslida, Castellón, Spain

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RuralizART – Artistic Residencies for Rural Revitalization

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RuralizART – Artistic Residencies for Rural Revitalization

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•	Artistic residencies and collaborative art-making
•	Community co-design and storytelling

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RuralizART - Artistic Residencies for Rural Revitalization

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RuralizART is a cross-border Erasmus+ initiative (2022–2023) that explores the transformative potential of art in rural regeneration. Led by Circolo Legambiente Ligonchio (Italy) and La Surera Cooperative (Spain), the project hosted two artistic residencies in rural national parks in Italy and Spain. These residencies engaged young artists and local communities in collaborative processes to reimagine and activate public spaces, promote cultural sustainability, and construct new rural narratives rooted in youth voices, inclusivity, and creativity.
By transforming underused areas into artistic and communal spaces, the initiative addressed issues such as depopulation, cultural fragmentation, and the lack of infrastructure. The project focused on horizontal and participatory approaches to social transformation, encouraging dialogue and collaboration between artists and rural residents. The outcomes were showcased in site-specific artworks and community installations that celebrated the identity, potential, and resilience of rural areas.

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Circolo Legambiente Ligonchio (Italy),La Surera Cooperative (Spain)

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Young artists, rural communities, local residents, cultural practitioners

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Key Challenges Addressed:
•	Depopulation and rural abandonment
•	Lack of cultural and creative opportunities in rural settings
•	Weak social cohesion and low youth engagement

Key Learnings & Recommendations:
•	Art can foster identity, pride, and participation in rural life.
•	Residencies provide a flexible structure for co-creation and inclusion.
•	Deep community engagement is essential for meaningful rural transformation.

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RuralizART  “Encuentros artísticos para la coconstrucción de nuevas narrativas rurales”

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Saline 34, Salinenstraße, Erfurt, Almanya

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.6kd0aWoY
•	Adaptive reuse of abandoned spaces
•	Youth-led spatial design
•	Cultural and creative workshops
•	Participatory governance and responsibility-sharing

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Saline34 is a long-term youth-led placemaking initiative in Erfurt, Germany. Since 2011, Plattform e.V. and local youth have revitalized a previously unused building in the city’s north, transforming it into a multifunctional space for creativity, cultural expression, and community engagement. The project centers on youth ownership and participation, turning Saline34 into both a physical resource hub and a community anchor point.
At the core of the space is an open “living room” on the ground floor, where small concerts, readings, and seminars are regularly held. Other facilities include a recording studio, screen-printing and photography workshops, a darkroom, media seminar room, green screen studio, and multiple art studios. Spanning nearly 1,000 square meters, Saline34 provides the infrastructure for young people to initiate projects, share knowledge, and express themselves artistically.
The space is also intentionally unfinished, allowing successive youth cohorts to shape and reshape the building according to their evolving needs, encouraging long-term engagement and experimentation.

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Adolescents, young adults, young creatives, community activists

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Saline 34, Erfurt, Germany. 2,286 likes · 2 talking about this · 491 were here. Atelier-/Projekthaus im Erfurter Norden

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Kültürpark İzmir, Mimar Sinan, Şair Eşref Bulvarı, Konak/İzmir, Türkiye

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•	Participatory urban design                                                                             
•	Artistic and sensory interventions                                                               
•	Public installations                                        
                                                                                            

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Düş-e-zemin (translated as Dream-Ground) is a placemaking initiative in İzmir designed to enable children to reimagine and reclaim their place in public urban spaces. Developed by UrbanTank during the Good Design Izmir_4 event, the project focuses on minimalist, sensory-driven installations located in Kültürpark—one of İzmir’s central public areas. Rather than a traditional playground, the space is open-ended, encouraging imagination and allowing children to interact with the environment freely. The project challenges functionalist design norms by putting the child’s experience at the heart of urban design. It demonstrates how non-prescriptive, flexible spaces can foster autonomy, creativity, and civic engagement among the youngest citizens. The success of Düş-e-zemin illustrates the potential of placemaking to offer alternative modes of urban interaction and highlights the importance of including children in the dialogue around public space design.      

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UrbanTank (Founded by Melis Varkal & Tuba Doğu) in collaboration with Good Design Izmir_4

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Key Challenges Addressed:
•	Lack of child-centered urban spaces
•	Functionalist and adult-oriented design norms
•	Limited opportunities for open-ended play in public spaces
Key Learnings & Recommendations:
•	Minimalist design can empower children’s agency in interpreting and using space.
•	Temporary installations can serve as powerful placemaking tools when designed intentionally.
•	Collaborations between cultural institutions, designers, and municipalities are essential for creative placemaking.