We give ownership to the public. They organise events [and] bring exhibitions here.WHOIn the city centre of Helsinki, Oodi Library provides free library services, as well as spaces and facilities to organise events, meet and collaborate, make music, game, craft, and more. Developments in Finnish library legislation positioned libraries as promoters of active citizenship, in addition to supporting literacy. To take up this new role Oodi library was designed and built in collaboration with the lib…

Trust is essential to our work…We need to build it through time.WHOSpazju Kreattiv is a non-profit creative hub and cultural space in Valletta, Malta, with an active programme of over 500 annual creative arts and cultural events. It was established in 2000 following the conversion of a 16th-century fort into the National Centre for Creativity. Their space features gallery spaces, a theatre, an arthouse cinema, and artist studios. The organisation is supported by 60 people, of which 35 are workin…

There would be no Oranssi without volunteersWHOOranssi is a non-profit youth organisation in Helsinki, Finland, that provides a free cultural center for young people. Born out of the youth squatting movement, it was established in 1990 alongside a youth organisation that provides communal and affordable housing for youth. To this day, they still share an office and work closely together. Oranssi is almost entirely volunteer-led, managed and run by young people, for young people. As people age ou…

Digital infrastructure plus human networks equals long-term sustainabilityWHOSaving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO) is an international grassroots volunteer initiative launched in March 2022 to safeguard Ukraine’s digital cultural heritage amidst the Russian invasion. Founded by Anna Kijas (Tufts University), Quinn Dombrowski (Stanford University), and Sebastian Majstorovic (European University Institute), SUCHO quickly mobilised over 1,000 volunteers in its first week.Initially focus…

Everything that’s collected from the community…has to be given back to the community as fast as possible.WHOThe Kalamaja Museum, one of the museums of the Tallinn City Museum, is a community museum in Estonia that was created with and for the neighborhood. In 2018, the building where the museum is housed today needed renovation, and the idea was born to create a museum where people would be engaged from the start in deciding what should be exhibited and what activities should be held. What start…

You must be genuinely interested in your fellow human beingWHOImagine IC is a mix between a museum, archive, and conversation space. It is a place-based organisation that has worked in partnership for 24 years with the neighbourhood of Amsterdam South-East, which is faced with gentrification. Their main work is to develop ‘heritage democracy’ by organising participatory meetings and working with biographical/’neighbourhood’ archives. Together with people who live and work in this neighbourhood, …

Why is this participatory development important? Because we don’t want to have empty institutionsWHOCenter ROG is a modern production and makerspace in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with nine production labs (focused on topics like textiles, food, glass, etc.), 19 project studios and five residential apartments. Their mission is to provide the space and tools for anyone to start creating with their hands, irrelevant of prior experience or knowledge. By providing an inclusive and accessible creative space…

WHOThe Hunt Museum, located in Limerick, Ireland, is a prominent cultural heritage institution known for its diverse collection of over 2,000 objects, ranging from artworks to archaeological artifacts. Its mission is to promote cultural heritage, foster education, and engage the community through exhibitions and public programs. The museum plays a central role in Limerick's cultural landscape, working to make its collections accessible to the public while exploring sustainable practices and part…

WHOThe Estonian Maritime Museum, located in Tallinn, is one of Estonia’s premier cultural institutions, dedicated to preserving and promoting the country’s rich maritime heritage. It serves as a hub for maritime education, research, and public engagement, offering a range of exhibitions, educational programs, and initiatives that deepen understanding of maritime history. As part of its commitment to innovation, the museum integrates modern technologies into its operations, ensuring that its offe…

WHOThe Prato Textile Museum, located in Tuscany, Italy, is a leading institution dedicated to preserving and promoting textile heritage. It plays a vital role in conserving historical textiles while fostering innovation in design and craftsmanship. Serving as both a museum and a research hub, it bridges the rich history of Prato's textile production with contemporary practices. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and collaborations with artisans and textile industries, the museum actively…