PROJECTS AND SPACES
Social connections and community spaces play a pivotal role in fostering psychological well-being such as a sense of belonging. Humans are inherently social beings, driven by a fundamental need for connection and interaction.
Examples of different types of intergenerational spaces from around the world are highlighted below.
Kalamaja Museum, Tallin, Estonia
The Kalamaja Museum in Tallinn, Estonia, was born out of a desire to connect with the local community by telling the stories of everyday people. The museum's creation was initially met with skepticism, as the idea of focusing on the lives of common individuals, rather than historical artifacts or famous figures, was unconventional. The project began by organizing street tours and collecting memories from Kalamaja residents, particularly older individuals. Outdoor exhibitions in 2019 and 2020 gained attention, leading to a growing collection of stories, photos, and objects / artifacts from the neighborhood. Officially opened as a physical museum in September 2021, its focus remains community-driven, with strong involvement from locals. The museum’s exhibitions and programs are designed to reflect the diverse voices of Kalamaja, encouraging interaction and participation. For example, the "Ears of Local People" exhibition by artist Flo Kasearu used sound installations to showcase everyday life in the area, allowing visitors to write their own stories about what they heard. Local volunteers, including children from a nearby school, participate in gardening projects, attend guided street tours, and participate in other museum activities. The museum also runs monthly cooking classes, where participants prepare meals and share personal stories. Talks by experts and exhibitions of neighborhood history further engage community members in a meaningful way. Kalamaja Museum emphasizes inclusivity and the idea that a museum should feel like home, encouraging people to share their stories and skills. The museum hosts exhibitions curated by locals, including one focused on the nearby Kopli neighborhood. They also feature guest speakers, such as historians and artists, who present on topics relevant to the community. The museum's success in fostering community participation was recognized when it won the prestigious Silletto Prize for Community Participation and Engagement in 2024. Link to their website
NGO House, Riga, Latvia
The idea for Riga’s NGO House emerged in 2010 during the city's first Citizen Forum, where discussions focused on communication challenges between NGOs and the municipality. One key issue identified was the lack of access to spaces for meetings and activities. To address this, the NGO House was established to provide free space for NGOs in Riga. In 2013, an unused school building in the Teika neighborhood was repurposed to host the NGO House, offering a central location where NGOs could collaborate, hold events, and work on projects. The NGO House offers a variety of spaces to accommodate different needs, including 11 rooms such as a large event hall for over 200 people, offices, seminar rooms, and a computer room. It also provides technical equipment and supplies that can be borrowed for neighborhood functions, such as tents, tables, and chairs. Approximately 27 different NGOs use the space weekly, and around 650 NGOs make use of it annually, with some using it regularly and others less frequently. All spaces and activities are provided free of charge, supported by municipal funding, with an annual budget that includes 20,000 euros for activities, alongside salaries and operational costs. The NGO House operates with the philosophy of empowering NGOs through education and resources, symbolized by the phrase “Give a fishing rod, but not the fish itself.” It hosts educational seminars on topics such as project management, public relations, and legislative issues. The facility supports a wide range of NGOs, including those serving minority and immigrant groups, like Polish and Ukrainian NGOs that help with language learning and integration. Neighborhood NGOs across Riga use the space to organize citizen forums, clean-ups, and local markets. The advice for other similar organizations is to involve NGOs in the design and development of shared spaces and to foster networking opportunities.
Kaukysos Sports Outdoor Complex, Vilnius, Lithuania
The Kaukysos Sports Outdoor Complex in Vilnius is a city-funded example of how public parks and green spaces can bring communities of all ages and ability levels together. Nestled in a newer residential area, right next to a flowing river and wooded area full of hiking trails, the complex makes use of available space to offer a wide range of free, open-access amenities, such as tennis and basketball courts, a soccer pitch, a running track, beach volleyball, an outdoor gym, a children’s playground, and even picnic spots. New neighborhoods and areas of new development make it easier to introduce large-scale recreational facilities due to the availability of open land—something that’s more challenging in older parts of the city. The complex reflects a broader shift in Lithuania since regaining independence in 1991, with an increased emphasis on public health, outdoor activity, and accessible infrastructure. There's a strong local culture of spending time in nature, and the design of the complex encourages spontaneous, inclusive interaction. A key component of the Kaukysos Sport Outdoor Complex is the free and accessible nature of the space, you don’t have to register or pay a fee, you just go. This simplicity and openness foster a sense of freedom and belonging, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces can play a powerful role in strengthening community ties for individuals across the lifespan.
“What brings people together is nature. It’s open to everyone. You don’t have to register, you don’t have to sign in. You just go and play and interact. There’s no need to sign a contract or pay a fee, it’s easy and free, so why not.” Artūras Sirajevas, Adviser for youth affairs and non-formal education, Vilnius City Municipality.
Vingio Parkas and Vilnius Sveikiau, Vilnius, Lithuania
Vingio Parkas, one of Vilnius' largest and most beloved green spaces, plays a central role in the city’s public health strategy through the work of Vilnius Sveikiau, the Vilnius City Public Health Bureau. Located in the park for the past 1.5 years, this city-run initiative uses the natural surroundings to promote both physical and mental well-being. With a mission to make Vilnius the healthiest capital in Europe, Vilnius Sveikiau offers a variety of free, bookable programs aimed at people of all ages, ranging from fitness activities to mental health events like TED-style talks and awareness campaigns for Suicide Prevention Day and Mental Health Day. As head of communications, Rūta Opanovičienė, explains, the natural setting of Vingio Parkas is key to their work: “Sometimes you can just walk and you feel better.” The organization combines structured support—like free consultations with psychologists and therapists—with the restorative power of nature to build a healthier, more connected city. While still building awareness in their relatively new location, they are creating a model for how urban parks can serve as inclusive spaces for community care, prevention, and wellness.
Padėk Pritapti, Vilnius, Lithuania
Padėk Pritapti is a welcoming, multicultural cultural center in Vilnius that serves youth, families, and the wider community. Founded in 2009 as a day center for children and youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Roma, Lithuanian, Russian, and Polish communities. The center promotes integration, inclusion, and social connection through education and informal activities. Operating as both a safe space and an Open Youth Space, Padėk Pritapti focuses on building trust, developing social skills, and fostering mutual respect. Their work extends beyond programming to include advocacy and cooperation with state institutions, particularly in supporting Roma rights and combating social exclusion. As Project Manager Agnieška Avin shared, Padėk Pritapti is driven by a grassroots, community-centered approach. “If you work with youth, you have to work with all age groups,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational connection. One of the most powerful tools they use to bring people together is food—simple shared meals like sandwiches and sushi spark dialogue and build bonds across generations. Despite limited resources, the center thrives on cooperation, creativity, and a deep belief in the power of communal gathering and education as a bridge toward a more open, inclusive society.
“What we think brings people together the most is food making. We try to cook together whenever we can even though we don’t have best conditions.” Agnieška Avin, Project Manager, Padėk Pritapti.
Our Intergenerational Club Café (Nasza Klubokawiarnia Międzypokoleniowa), Warsaw, Poland
Our Intergenerational Club Café (Nasza Klubokawiarnia Międzypokoleniowa) is a cozy coffee club nestled within an intergenerational housing complex in Warsaw. At Our Intergenerational Club Cafe, community connection is nurtured through shared meals and conversation. Every Saturday morning, the space hosts a free potluck breakfast, a welcoming gathering, open to all, where younger and older individuals come together to share food and conversation. The informal setting creates an affordable and accessible way for neighbors to build relationships and foster a sense of belonging across generations. The coffee club is part of the larger “Nowolipie” Intergenerational Activity Center (CAM) , which was co-developed through the European project Design-led Innovations for Active Ageing. CAM “Nowolipie” serves as a hub for everyday activities and grassroots initiatives, encouraging collaboration among residents, NGOs, and community partners. With a strong focus on intergenerational exchange, the center promotes an inclusive and age-friendly Warsaw, where people of all ages are invited to actively shape and enrich their shared urban environment.
Intergenerational Activity Center, Warsaw, Poland
The “Nowolipie” intergenerational activity center (CAM) in Warsaw promotes intergenerational connection, creative programming, and engagement of younger and older adults. The intergenerational activity center operates across five locations (with two more under construction). Anchored by its headquarters “Nowolipie,” was designed to promote health, learning, and community connection. The facility includes a welcoming coffee bar, a gym, computer room, cafeteria, and a hairdresser. These services that are used by around 120 people daily. Co-created through the European project Design-led Innovations for Active Ageing, CAM “Nowolipie” is built around the evolving needs and ideas of older adults and the broader community. A central goal of the center is fostering meaningful, horizontal intergenerational relationships. Programs like art partnerships between students and older artists help build connection across age groups. The center operates through a flexible model: running its own programming, partnering with NGOs (with 12 currently under contract), and engaging nearly 350 volunteers annually. Volunteers, many of whom are older adults, lead activities and courses that prioritize participation and engagement over formal learning. From food-based community building with Ukrainian refugees to memory-sharing projects in schools, the intergenerational activity center continually evolves using service design methods, always centering community input and social inclusion.
Färdknäppen, Stockholm, Sweden
Färdknäppen, a co-housing community in Stockholm, opened in 1993 and is still home to some of its original residents. With 55 people living in 43 individual flats (ranging from one to three rooms), the co-housing community was designed to offer a smaller, more convenient living environment where people could age together, share responsibilities, and enjoy an active, social lifestyle. The co-housing community features a variety of shared spaces, including a music room, woodworking shop, gym, computer room, laundry room, and garden. Residents take part in communal tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and gardening, while still maintaining their own private lives and interests. Färdknäppen was founded with the vision of fostering intergenerational living, where younger and older residents support and learn from each other. All residents are part of one of six rotating cooking groups, responsible for preparing weekday dinners every six weeks. This structure allows everyone to contribute while also enjoying shared meals the rest of the time. Inspired by her own isolation as a young mother and architect in the suburbs, founder Kerstin sought to create a new way of living centered around connection and cooperation. The community thrives on shared interests, with groups dedicated to gardening, music, skiing, skating, a library, and even afternoon coffee gatherings.
“With the climate crisis, one's neighborhood will be more important. This is a future lab.” Kerstin Karnekull, Architect, Co-Housing Advocate, and Färdknäppen Resident.
Glynneath Social Club, Glynneath, Wales
The Glynneath Social Club in Wales serves as an intergenerational space for the local community, hosting a range of events that bring residents together. These activities range from twice-weekly bingo nights to festive Halloween and Christmas parties. These gatherings provide a vital sense of connection and joy in Glynneath, a small town of 4,000 people nestled in the hills of what was once a thriving coal mining region. Coal mining first reached Glynneath in 1793, shaping the town’s industrial identity for generations. Today, while the coal industry has faded, the town retains its charm and community spirit. Just northeast of Glynneath lies Pontneddfechan, home to a series of stunning waterfalls that draw hikers and tourists from across the region, adding a touch of natural beauty to the area's rich history.
Nachbarschaftshaus Urbanstraße, Berlin, Germany
Nachbarschaftshaus Urbanstraße is a long-standing community center in Berlin with a rich history spanning 70 years. The center, housed in a city-owned building with community rooms on the first floor and a kindergarten and administrative offices above, offers a diverse range of programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. From art classes and dance workshops to sewing and parent-child interactions, the center provides regular weekly, monthly, and annual events. It operates across 13 locations and employs around 140 staff members, including volunteers. Community-driven and center-led initiatives blend to offer programming that meets the needs and interests of local residents, such as the solidarity café (Soli Café), intergenerational cooking sessions, and cultural exchanges at the intercultural café. Programming at Nachbarschaftshaus Urbanstraße emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity, particularly through intergenerational and intercultural initiatives. The Soli Café, a pay-what-you-can establishment, is one of the most intergenerational programs, fostering interactions among regular older attendees, young parents, and children from the on-site kindergarten. The center also hosts a recurring clothing swap, the "Kleiderstaischparty," and various thematic events such as the Kiez Klima climate market, which promotes sustainability and environmental education. Programs like “Cooking with Friends” and board game nights encourage bonding across age groups, while theater performances and workshops tackle relevant social issues, such as climate change, often incorporating elements like upcycling and self-made costumes. The center’s funding comes from a variety of sources including the EU, the city of Berlin, and German government grants. In order to sustain ongoing and future programs, the staff must continuously seek funding. The community is a mix of long-time and newer participants, and the center actively works to engage younger residents and families. At Nachbarschaftshaus Urbanstraße, the focus is on fostering community and empowering residents to actively shape the center’s activities. Through their work, the staff have come to value patience, resilience, and adaptability as essential to creating a sustainable and inclusive space where everyone feels a sense of belonging and ownership.
The Spore House in Berlin’s Neukölln neighborhood is a multifaceted space that serves as an art gallery, exhibition space, library, children’s play area, and café offering affordable food options. As a hub for cultural exchange and community-building, it is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of income, background, or demographic characteristics. The space is entirely free and accessible, fostering a sense of belonging and shared ownership among diverse intergenerational communities. Operated by Spore Initiative, a non-profit foundation established in Germany in 2020, the Spore House brings together cultural projects at the intersection of climate justice, ecological regeneration, and education. The variety of activities and programming is diverse, ranging from art exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, readings, and performances. Spore encourages dialogue, mutual learning, and collaborative practices that connect people and organizations across geographies and cultures. At its heart, Spore nurtures practices of care for the earth and for one another.
Mehrgenerationenhaus Wassertor, Berlin, Germany
Mehrgenerationenhaus Wassertor is a community center in Berlin that primarily assists nearby community members. The center has two main locations, with the Wassertor site offering spaces for German classes, self-help groups, and social services, primarily serving refugees and migrants. Key programs include community lunches, provided twice a week for a nominal fee, which not only offer nutritious meals but also allow staff to check in with residents about their needs. Activities here primarily support younger adults and children, with resources like homework assistance, a PlayStation area, and game nights. Meanwhile, the Bona Peiser location hosts cultural events such as backgammon, film screenings, and a community café, where German learners from different age groups come together to practice in an inviting setting. Serving the specific needs of the community is front and center at Wassertor. As such, the main focus is on the provision of social services. For example, most of the community members who visit Wassertor go for the social advice, in which guidance is provided on a variety of administrative and financial matters, including housing, employment, insurance, legal issues, and utility contracts. As a result, the main focus is not on intergenerational or community building activities. Nevertheless, some events, like the popular "Feuer und Flamme" (Fire and Flames) gathering, bring together a diverse range of ages around a communal fire pit, where participants enjoy the simple, shared activity of baking bread on sticks. Other intergenerational successes include gardening, tie-dyeing in the park, and community karaoke, with outdoor and food-centered events proving most effective at fostering cross-generational interaction. Mehrgenerationenhaus Wassertor is supported by EU funding, the city of Berlin, and German government grants. The center continues to evolve in response to community input, regularly developing new initiatives—such as monthly gatherings for fathers and creative explorations of topics such as democracy in the 21st century. At the heart of its mission is building trust and meaningful relationships, with informal surveys and ongoing dialogue helping the center stay attuned to the community’s changing needs and interests.
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Folkehuset Absalon in Copenhagen is a dynamic community space that brings people together through a constantly evolving calendar of activities. Housed in a former church, Absalon has been transformed into a vibrant community space, a welcoming extension of home where everyone is invited. From morning yoga and communal dinners to bingo nights, dance parties, and art workshops, Absalon hosts around 100 events each week, designed to foster connection among people of all ages and backgrounds. Many events are easily accessible to non-Danish speakers, emphasizing inclusivity and openness. At the heart of Absalon is a belief in the power of social connection to enrich everyday life. The space is intentionally affordable, with low-cost events that ensure accessibility across socioeconomic lines. Whether you're playing chess with a grandparent, sharing a meal with a neighbor, or dancing with new friends into the night, Absalon cultivates a sense of belonging through shared experiences. It’s a living example of how third places can foster strong communities, rooted in warmth, creativity, and human connection.
LE 18 Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
LE 18 is a multidisciplinary cultural space and artist residency located in the historic medina of Marrakech. LE 18 was founded in 2013 and serves as a place for research, artistic creation, and cultural exchange. Collaboration and dialogue with a wide range of different communities and individuals across the age span are a key component of the space. LE 18 has become a vibrant hub for both local and international individuals, offering a rich and evolving program of activities that includes contemporary art exhibitions, artist talks, film screenings, and hands-on workshops. These events foster an environment of mutual learning, experimentation, and collective engagement. In addition to its artistic programming, LE 18 hosts a community bookstore that operates three days a week. The bookstore offers curated selections and recommendations, and regularly organizes book presentations, readings, and signings that bring together authors, artists, and readers. Whether through its exhibitions, conversations, screenings, or reading sessions, LE 18 remains a vital cultural space rooted in openness, creativity, and intergenerational connection.
Lucha Libre Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Lucha libre in Mexico City is more than just a sporting event, it's a deeply rooted intergenerational cultural tradition. Held in the iconic Arena México, which seats up to 16,500 fans, these matches are a vibrant display of athleticism, theater, and national pride. Since its origins in the early 20th century, lucha libre has evolved into a unique art form known for its dramatic storytelling, high-flying moves, and colorful masked heroes and villains. Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Mexico City, it serves as a dynamic symbol of collective identity and entertainment that bridges social and generational divides. What makes lucha libre particularly special is its powerful intergenerational appeal. Families often attend together, with parents passing down their love for the sport to their children. The crowd is a mosaic of ages and backgrounds, united in their cheers and chants. This legacy is also embodied in the wrestlers themselves, icons like Blue Panther (64 years old), began his career in 1978 and performs at multiple shows a week. This mix of younger, middle, and older age luchadores reinforces the timelessness of lucha libre, making it an ongoing intergenerational cultural tradition.
Baird Urban Sports Park, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) collaborates with local government, businesses, and nonprofits to revitalize and activate downtown Louisville. One of its standout placemaking projects is the transformation of a development site (originally slated for a hotel) into an temporary intergenerational community space. Originally branded “Resurfaced” in the early 2000s, the area was later converted into Baird Urban Sports Park in 2022, featuring free public pickleball courts and a wiffleball pitch. The space hosts league play, public recreation, and community events such as live music happy hours and themed festivals like “Steins on Main.” This temporary activation model showcases how underutilized urban land can serve community needs in creative, low-cost ways. While LDP’s initiatives are largely top-down, driven by staff and business improvement stakeholders rather than grassroots community input, however, they do seek community engagement through small-scale donor projects and public events like movie nights on the waterfront. Challenges persist in expanding awareness and participation, especially among residents who feel disconnected or critical of their city. In response, LDP experiments with outreach methods beyond social media and aims to reframe downtown as “everyone’s neighborhood.” Drawing inspiration from other cities and affiliated with the International Downtown Association, LDP works to restore pride in Louisville’s historic downtown by reclaiming public space and positioning downtown as a central hub for community gathering and civic renewal.
Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, USA
When people think of third places in their community, libraries are one of the first examples to come to mind. And for good reason. The library remains a staple in the promotion of the public good, a free resource for all. The Brooklyn Public Library system was approved on May 3, 1892. Today it includes 62 branches spread across the borough. The Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library contains over a million cataloged books, magazines, and multimedia materials. The modern library is so much more than a book repository. The central branch of the Brooklyn Library offers all kinds of events and programming for the community, ranging from art exhibits, to author talks, live performances, classes and workshops, resources for immigrants, and more. These events and programming are often intergenerational and promote interaction between younger and older adults in the community.
Village Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Village Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a strong, intergenerational community while fostering social connection, leadership, and lifelong learning. Over the years, it has embraced a variety of strategies to promote intergenerational engagement and inclusion. One key component is its Bridging Generations Board, established in 2019, which not only creates intergenerational programming but also provides leadership opportunities for younger adults. This initiative is a prime example of bottom-up innovation, it originated from a board member and has since become a vital way to bring new members into the organization. Many participants are drawn to the Village through personal ties; for example, some older adults have encouraged their adult children to join, while others have become involved because of their parents’ longstanding connection to the organization. The organization hosts a wide array of intergenerational events and volunteer opportunities. Monthly intergenerational trivia nights bring together participants with diverse knowledge sets in a fun, social atmosphere. However, finding event times that suit all age groups can be challenging. Other offerings include community volunteer days at Urbanlite’s garden, short story Zoom discussions, and a few member-hosted dinners throughout the year. These dinners, supported by the board, offer a powerful opportunity for relationship-building over food—something Village Chicago sees as one of the most effective tools for deepening connections. Despite its robust programming, Village Chicago faces some challenges. With no physical headquarters, it relies on community spaces like libraries, parks, and universities to host events. This flexible, grassroots model—central to the organization’s identity—has, over time, grown more institutional as membership and programming have expanded.