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Crisis, Policy & Movements
Housing Movements & European Cohesion
Tenant unions, advocacy networks and the pan-European political dimension of housing
Across the continent, civic organising around housing is increasingly recognised as a vital mechanism for democratic renewal. From tenant unions to community-led movements, these grassroots efforts restore civic agency by returning decision-making power to residents. This pan-European political dimension is deeply intertwined with European cohesion. Tangible, locally visible improvements in living conditions help rebuild faith in public institutions, offering a concrete antidote to populist narratives fuelled by the affordability crisis. Furthermore, cross-border solidarity, where members in one country support cooperative projects in another, is actively forging a shared European identity. By leveraging EU-level frameworks like the Affordable Housing Plan and the European Investment Bank, advocacy networks are translating local cooperative models into a continental strategy.
The collection below explores this intersection of housing and democratic participation. The knowledge base features critical reports on the European housing crisis, the cost-of-living squeeze, and the decarbonisation of affordable homes, alongside research from the Fairville project on how inequalities impact political participation. You can also discover practical frameworks, including Co-Lab Mapping for social innovation and sustainable governance models for recovery in Ukraine. The page highlights a diverse network of actors driving this agenda, ranging from the Berliner Genossenschaftsforum and Actors of Urban Change to civic groups like Alliance4Europe. Finally, we invite you to connect and collaborate at upcoming gatherings listed here, such as the URBACT City Festival, the MEHR Festival, and the European Forum Alpbach.
The collection below explores this intersection of housing and democratic participation. The knowledge base features critical reports on the European housing crisis, the cost-of-living squeeze, and the decarbonisation of affordable homes, alongside research from the Fairville project on how inequalities impact political participation. You can also discover practical frameworks, including Co-Lab Mapping for social innovation and sustainable governance models for recovery in Ukraine. The page highlights a diverse network of actors driving this agenda, ranging from the Berliner Genossenschaftsforum and Actors of Urban Change to civic groups like Alliance4Europe. Finally, we invite you to connect and collaborate at upcoming gatherings listed here, such as the URBACT City Festival, the MEHR Festival, and the European Forum Alpbach.
