Study visit to the Center of Sustainable Life in Tampere

Interreg BSR Programme Conference in Tampere on 21 May included discussion on the added value, durable impact and future of EU Interreg BSR Programme. On Thursday 22 May the Conference participants had the possibility to go for study visits related to Interreg BSR projects Climate4Cast, City Blues & We make transition! The study visits revealed the true magic of Interreg BSR.

We make transition! study visit to the Center of Sustainable Life

One of the study visits introduced the local result of We make transition! in Tampere – Center of Sustainable Life. This is a social innovation, a platform that is enabled with financial support from the City of Tampere and the We make transition! project. It is one of the results from the transition arena process implemented in Tampere within the project.

The Center of Sustainable Life is an example how city can enable empty built spaces to be used by civil society actors and small business actors enhancing environmental, cultural and social sustainability. It is in practice a cooperation model between the City and various local actors that during the transition arena process gained a strong common will to establish this platform as a pilot. The aim is to showcase that we need such low-threshold urban spaces to support sustainable living, improve the quality of life of people and prevent isolation. At the same time, the City itself can use the space to organise events and interaction with residents.

City and local actors agreed that the platform offers activities related to community building, community gardening, second hand and repair activities as well as enhance connection to nature. In addition, the platform offers a space for art and self expression. The platform is open to and attracts all age groups from elderly to small children, minorities and immigrants. The glue is in low-threshold activities where anyone (no matter the political view or educational background) can join and have a meaningful break from the individualistic culture and consumption-oriented lifestyle.

Learnings from the We make transition! transition arena processes

We make transition! has implemented transition arena processes in altogether 12 locations in six BSR countries. The topics of transition arenas have varied from circular economy and sustainable food to biodiversity promotion and sustainable life in general. Sustainability transition means transformation in all levels of society to acknowledge the connection of our actions to ecological systems. Transition is not only about technological solutions. It is about people. Transition can start from a new discussion, it can be a change in one person’s life that will have a positive impact to others. It can be a new way of doing things. It can strengthen local resilience.

“We make transition! has been indeed about this: empowering people from different levels of society to find new successful ways to be part of sustainability transition together. It is about ability to listen to people and implementing concrete actions, instead of only talking”, says the project leader Johanna Leino from the Baltic Institute of Finland.

Polarisation powered by social media and political debates prevent us from constructive discussion about common goals and solutions. We make transition! transition arenas brought together people from different levels to discuss sustainable future and create new solutions together. The impact of the project will stay in organisations and people in the form of new co-creative, inclusive and empowering approaches instead of only involving. Let’s do transition!

Presentations of the study visit

We make transition_Tampere Arena of Sustainable Life_220525
– Johanna Leino, the Baltic Institute of Finland

Spaces for culture and communities 22.5.2025
– Ilona Kyykoski, City of Tampere

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