After two impactful years of collaboration, the second edition of THE:PLACE programme has come to a close. The final event took place in the unique and symbolic setting of Autostrada Biennale’s hangar in Prizren, Kosovo, where nearly 50 beneficiaries from across the European Union and Turkey gathered to reflect on the projects they had developed and the bridges they had built.
A Civil Society Hub in Unlikely Surroundings
The event venue, located on a former military site now transformed into a creative hub for civil society, provided an evocative backdrop. Upon entering the compound with its stark, numbered hangars, one might initially feel as though they have stepped onto an active base. Yet the open doors and the warm presence of civil society actors quickly reveal the space’s new purpose: a dynamic platform for dialogue, creativity and cooperation.
Over the course of three days, participants exchanged experiences, shared outcomes and explored opportunities for future partnerships. It was the culmination of a journey that began in 2021, when the Mercator Foundation launched a call for civil society programmes aimed at fostering collaboration between the EU and Turkey.
A Model of Quadrilateral Cooperation
Following a competitive selection process, a synergy was identified between ALDA, the European Association for Local Democracy, and MAD, Mekanda Adalet Derneği, two organisations with a shared commitment to participatory methods and local empowerment. Together they devised a pioneering model of quadrilateral cooperation, bringing together:
- One EU-based civil society organisation
- One Turkish civil society organisation
- Their respective local authorities
These partnerships were invited to co-design and implement projects that addressed local challenges with shared relevance across borders. Building on the success of the first edition, the second round supported nine partnerships working on pressing topics such as:
- Spatial inequality
- Climate adaptation
- Social inclusion of migrants
- Preservation of endangered cultural heritage
- Advocacy for sustainable fashion
Participating organisations came from Turkey, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Croatia and France, each contributing local knowledge and innovative approaches. Municipalities from Diyarbakır and Gaziantep to Cosenza, Dorohoi and Zagreb brought invaluable insights into how communities can tackle shared societal issues through localised action.
A Collective Reflection and a Shared Future
The final event in Prizren was both a moment of celebration and forward thinking. Each partnership presented their project outcomes, supported by animated video summaries that traced the journey from problem identification to collaborative solution.
Workshops facilitated deeper discussion and exchange, while also encouraging future joint initiatives. One particularly engaging activity involved participants stepping into each other’s roles, with civil society representatives adopting the perspective of local authorities and vice versa. This exercise fostered greater mutual understanding and empathy.
As the event concluded, the atmosphere was filled not only with memories but with concrete hope for continued collaboration. In a city where Turkish is widely spoken and the euro is used as currency, Prizren itself seemed to symbolise the essence of THE:PLACE — a meeting ground of cultures, ideas and shared purpose.
Looking Ahead
Although this edition has concluded, the spirit of THE:PLACE lives on in the partnerships forged, the projects implemented and the lasting connections built. The programme has demonstrated that cross-border cooperation between civil society and local authorities is not only feasible, but essential in addressing today’s most complex challenges.
As beneficiaries return to their home communities, they carry with them the tools, relationships and motivation to continue shaping local democracy together.
