Cohousilience Erasmus+ project
This project started in November 2023 and aimed to promote the social inclusion of vulnerable people through cohousing, while contributing to the creation of inclusive living environments that strengthen equality and community resilience.
More concretely, the leading partner Cooperativa FAI Padova constructed of a cohousing project in Padova, Italy, based on a comparison of strategies and good practices in cohousing with seven other European organizations.
Odisee, as the scientific partner, contributed by developing the impact evaluation framework and supporting the quality assurance of the project’s activities and results.
Following study visits in Turin and Paris, the project partners visited several unique housing projects in Brussels from 5 to 7 September 2024. These visits were organized and hosted by CLTB, with urban explorations facilitated by Odisee.
The Spanish partner CAIS compiled the good practices presented by the partners into a Cohousing Handbook.
The project aimed to empower vulnerable people as active changemakers in their communities. To support this, five training sessions were organized in five locations (Italy, Belgium, France and Greece), and a Cohousing App and Community Hubs were developed. Odisee was responsible for measuring the impact of these trainings.
The project concluded with an inspiring video, dissemination events, and a final partner meeting in April 2026.
We are proud to share that this project has been officially labelled an Erasmus+ Good Practice! 🏆
Specific objectives of the project
Starting from November 2023, the project lasts 30 months to foster the social inclusion of vulnerable people and to contribute to the creation of inclusive environments that promote equity, equality and resilience of communities.
- The project concerns the construction of a cohousing in Padova, Italy by Cooperativa FAI Padova as the leading partner.
- It aims the comparison of strategies and good practices in cohousing with these European organizations:
- MDAT (Greece)
- Odisee University (Belgium)
- Caracol Association (France)
- Cooperativa sociale ATYPICA arl (Italy)
- Consorcio Andaluz de Impulso Social (CAIS)(Spain)
- Community Land Trust Bruxelles (Belgium)
- Associacao Animam Viventem (Portugal)
- The development of bottom-up centers called “Community Hubs” as generative nuclei managed by cohousers and citizens in collaboration with local stakeholders (citizens, institutions, third sector actors and businesses), to promote social innovation and community building.
- To increase the skills of social workers active in specialized third sector organizations operating in the field, to support cohousers in becoming community leaders able to design and manage “Community Hubs”, which will serve as a reference point for social innovation and a lifelong learning platform for the local community and stakeholders.
Video presenting the project and the concept of cohousing
How can we build more caring, sustainable and resilient ways of living together in Europe?
In this video, discover how our Erasmus+ project #Cohousilience promotes cohousing as a foundation for sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities.
Watch the full video and get inspired by a shared, inclusive way of living.
Cohousing handbook “Building Communities”
An important result of this project is the publication of the Cohousing handbook “Building Communities”.
A practical and inspiring guide designed for:
1. Future cohousers dreaming of intentional communities
2. Community leaders building inclusive spaces
3. Public institutions exploring new housing policies
4. Facilitators, architects, social workers and changemakers
Inside you’ll find:
1. Tools, methods and participatory dynamics
2. Case studies from 7 European countries
3. Frameworks for governance, sustainability and social cohesion
4. Strategies to build real, resilient and inclusive communities
The media on this project
An Italian newspaper reported on 5 March 2024 on first study visit: San Salvario, co-housing: operatori e ricercatori europei ospiti per tre giorni di “Luoghi Comuni”
