Milan is not only a city of work and study — it is also a place full of opportunities for personal growth, where young people can discover new passions and enjoy meaningful experiences. Among these are the Collaborative Living and Distributed Services projects, which foster a circular and inclusive housing model where residents, services, and local communities work together to build a sustainable environment and strengthen social networks.
One of the standout projects is the Lab Barona Repair Café, launched by La Cordata near the Zumbini 6 housing facility in the Barona neighborhood. It is part of Milano2035 – The Youth Housing Coalition, and came to life in 2021 with the support of the City of Milan’s Civic Crowdfunding program.
The 100 m² multi-use space is run with the help of local volunteers and organizations. It’s equipped with tools and materials for reuse and repair, offers courses for children and adults, and donates restored furniture and appliances to the community — all in the spirit of circular economy and sustainable living.
Part of the Frattini Home housing project, Frà Le Pagine is a neighborhood library run entirely by collaborative residents. Initiated by La Cordata, this open and inclusive space promotes reading, cultural exchange, and social connection.
The library offers free book lending, plus creative workshops, author readings, and cultural events open to all. Entirely managed by volunteers, it’s a powerful example of how collaborative living can enrich the cultural and social life of a community through shared responsibility.
-> For more information, visit www.lacordata.it.
A special place to find furniture, exchange items, fix your bike, borrow tools… and feel at home, even far from home.
PUF (UniAbita Foundation Hub) is a community-oriented and creative space dedicated to sustainable living, designed for those looking for a home, furnishing it, or seeking to live in a way that’s more mindful of the environment, relationships, and resources.
Here you can:
Find second-hand furniture, ready to use or to be transformed with your personal touch;
Borrow useful tools – from a drill to a sewing machine – thanks to the “Library of Things”;
Repair your bicycle with the help of skilled volunteers in the bike workshop;
Receive housing guidance through the “Sustainable Living” help desk, especially useful if you're looking for a home in or around Cinisello Balsamo;
Take part in creative workshops and reuse activities in the circular lab, where DIY becomes a chance for learning and socializing.
Every object here gets a second life. But most importantly, every exchange is a chance to meet, connect, and build new, more inclusive and supportive ways of living together.
→ For more information or to donate furniture and items, email: puf@fondazioneauprema.it
At the Tempio del Futuro Perduto — a cultural space regenerated by young people for young people—the Swap Party takes place regularly: an opportunity to exchange clothes and accessories, reduce waste, and imagine a different way of experiencing fashion.
The concept is simple yet powerful: bring what you no longer wear and find something that reflects who you are today. No buying, just swapping. All around, music, workshops, and meaningful encounters. A space of community, mutual care, and sustainability that shows how even a daily act—getting dressed—can spark change.
RECUP is a social project born in local street markets to reduce food waste and promote inclusion. Every day, volunteers and citizens collect unsold but still good fruits, vegetables, and other food items, and redistribute them for free.
For students, it’s a flexible way to volunteer, get to know the neighborhood, and take part in a solidarity network where food becomes a tool for connection, dignity, and social justice. It takes very little to make a difference—even just one hour a week.
