Tiers-Lieux pour Tous

This project highlights the role of “Tiers-Lieux” as key drivers of community development, actively fostering “zësumme liewen” (living together), promoting intercultural dialogue, and supporting the ecological transition across the Grand Duchy.

The project at a glance

Start date:

01 Jan 2023
Duration in months:

24
Funding:

Ministère de la Famille, des Solidarités, du Vivre ensemble et de l’Accueil
Principal Investigator(s):

Gabriele BUDACH

About

In recent years, the concept of “Tiers-Lieux” has gained significant visibility in Luxembourg, with various sites emerging across the urban South and rural North. “Tiers-Lieux” are inclusive spaces that welcome people from different backgrounds inviting them to organise and join activities in their local commune. “Tiers-Lieux” have become vital actors in community development, contributing significantly to the promotion of “living together” (“zësumme liɛwen”), intercultural understanding and ecological transition across the Grand-Duchy. However, despite the growing importance of “Tiers-Lieux” as players in local communities, there is still limited understanding of their magnitude and multifold ways of working, seen from the perspectives of those involved. This project aims to fill this knowledge gap by thoroughly exploring “Tiers-Lieux” across Luxembourg, through participatory research. The project pursues a double goal. (1) By proposing workshops in various “Tiers-Lieux” and employing innovative techniques such as stop-motion animation and podcasting, the project team plays an active role in supporting these meeting spaces through enhancing participation and intercultural exchange. (2) Based on ethnographic field research in various sites, the project seeks to better understand the role and contributions of local “Tiers-Lieux” and to identity the needs of local actors and communes. The project will produce a “Tiers-Lieux Guide” (TiLiG) aimed at individuals, groups, associations (asbl) and communes interested in the “Tiers-Lieux” movement. Built on the experience and research insights gained from this project, TiLiG will provide guidance on how to create a “Tiers-Lieu” successfully and offer recommendations to stakeholders in civil society (the volunteer sector, asbl, communes) and policy makers about how to support “Tiers-Lieux” meaningfully as driving forces for building social cohesion and inclusion.

Download the Tiers-Lieux Guide