Social Change is Happening in these Living Labs of Luxembourg !

While our October revolution was quieter, it carried the same spirit of grassroots change. Our change did not take place on streets or battlefields, but in the living labs of social innovation. The community hubs we call Tiers-Lieux (Third spaces).

I was one of many who witnessed these five dynamic spaces where real change takes root. My fellow European Climate Pact Ambassadors in Luxembourg also joined me for a deeply inspiring day of local exploration. This special event, the ‘Rallye des Tiers-Lieux (Rallye of Third spaces),’ was organized by CELL asbl and the EU Climate Pact local coordinator. The diverse nature of these hubs illustrated the complexity of the transition we face.

Teranga in Schifflange : Focused on the critical agricultural and food transition by fostering discussion around food sovereignty. Crucially, they also provide social housing for students facing financial challenges, and they grow their vegetables as well as fruits in their own community garden.

Facilitec in Esch : Embodies the Circular Economy in action, hosting repair workshops, a tool rental hub, and regular Repair Cafés. Here, volunteers spent their weekend teaching people to mend broken appliances instead of discarding them.

Mesa in Esch : Quietly normalizes sustainable food choices through its focus on organic and bulk consumption. This vegetarian restaurant doubles as a vital community gathering point.

VEWA in Dudelange : A creative space in a former industrial setting that demonstrates how localized, community-run efforts can directly operationalize key pillars of the European Green Deal.

Open in Junglinster : A versatile hub hosting everything from repair cafés to parent workshops, successfully weaving sustainability into the fabric of daily life.

These small engines of transformation are proving that deep societal impact doesn’t require massive budgets or institutional backing. It requires dedicated contributions from citizens who care enough to show up.

What Being an EU Climate Pact Ambassador Really Means

The role of the EU Climate Pact Ambassador is to be the strategic link between this local vitality and overarching policy. The experience has taught me that diverse professional skills matter more than environmental expertise alone. The person organizing a clothing swap brings organizational skills just as vital as the person calculating carbon footprints. We need everyone to solve the complex puzzle of climate change : artists, makers, parents, teachers, scientists, and entrepreneurs, each contributing their unique perspective.

As an Ambassador, you help connect local advocates with policy, making the climate strategy tangible. For professionals in Luxembourg with expertise in fields like governance, sustainable finance, human resources, or strategic communications, the role is a high impact application of professional knowledge. It is a serious commitment to solving real world organizational problems, ensuring long-term impact. During the Rallye, I found myself in conversations about housing support, community gardens, circular economy workshops, and small-scale manufacturing. It was a living experience that proves climate action is not separate from daily life.

The Gains Are Mutual

What do you gain as an ambassador ? Satisfaction, primarily. And, Connection ! Seriously, this is a not-to-be-underestimated gain in Luxembourg !! You join a network of passionate individuals who refuse to wait for someone else to act. You develop new skills and discover that your contribution genuinely matters. In return, the role offers official endorsement from the European Commission and integration into a diverse pan-European network of over 1,000 fellow Ambassadors.

Are You Ready for This Challenge

The dedication and passion thriving within these centers is undeniable proof that deep societal change begins at the grassroots level. However, my observations also underscored a crucial organizational reality. While these hubs excel at community spirit, they often struggle with the complex hurdles of long-term viability. To sustain and succeed, it requires more than community engagement. It also demands effective volunteer support. This gap between local vitality and structural vulnerability is precisely where the EU Climate Pact Ambassador Program offers high-value synergy. Despite the hurdles, these small engines of change are already running. The question is : will you help fuel them ?

Applications to become an Ambassador are now open. Check out this link to see how you can become part of the community and make a difference.

For more information : https://climate-pact.europa.eu/get-involved/become-pact-ambassador_en