Cedos Develops a Guide to Creating Third Places in Cultural Institutions

Cedos’ Urban Department is developing an online guide on creating and managing community spaces, Cultural Centres, Libraries, Museums: How to Develop Third Places in Cultural Institutions.

The initiative is being implemented as part of the funding programme eMistechko — “Third Places” in Ukraine, launched by the German Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future” (EVZ). The programme helps cultural institutions in Ukraine to grow into Third Places that bring communities together.

What Are Third Places and Why Do They Matter?

Third Places are informal gathering spaces outside the home (the first place) and the workplace (the second place). The term was introduced by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his book The Great Good Place.

Today, libraries, museums, cultural centres, community centres, and youth spaces can all serve as Third Places. They provide residents with opportunities to communicate, interact, and spend time together.

How Can Third Places Be Developed?

The guide will offer practical advice on managing and organising spaces, designing activity programmes, engaging diverse user groups, and making physical environments accessible and welcoming. It will also provide information on reforms and legal frameworks related to the management and development of third places.

The publication draws on Cedos’ experience implementing the Community reBuilding project. Across its two cohorts, 21 hromadas worked on creating or revitalising community-building centres — accessible physical spaces where people from different social groups can spend time together, collaborate, and contribute to local development.

The guide will be useful for staff of cultural institutions, managers of community centres and youth spaces, as well as activists interested in learning how to work effectively with space and engage new audiences.

Once the guide is completed, the Cedos team will present its findings and recommendations to the teams participating in the eMistechko — “Third Places” in Ukraine programme. Presentations and consultations will be tailored to the specific needs and requests of each participating team.

The project is funded by the Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future” (EVZ).

First photo: Mykola Pymonenko Museum