The visit aimed to deepen our understanding of how third places are organised, supported, and embedded in public policy in France, while fostering dialogue between practitioners, users, regional networks, and public institutions. Through presentations, discussions, and field visits, our partners from ANTL introduced us to the historical development of the movement, the role of national and regional structures, and the importance of co-construction between civil society and the state.

In parallel, the visit created space for all partner organisations to present their own national realities. We shared the Greek context and its challenges around informality, funding, and community-led initiatives, while our partners from Communa ASBL presented the Belgian experience, opening comparative discussions on temporary use, governance models, and long-term sustainability.

This learning visit laid the first foundations for continuing our shared journey into the world of third places in Europe, setting the ground for deeper exploration, exchange, and collaboration in the upcoming learning trips of the Common Ground project.

Over three days, we visited concrete projects led by Communa, including Minima and Marbré in Brussels, gaining direct insight into the everyday functioning of temporary occupation and user-led spaces. These visits were complemented by discussions with institutional, academic, and municipal actors, offering a multi-level perspective on public policies related to temporary use. Rural third-place models were also explored through visits outside Brussels, highlighting how ecological, educational, and community-oriented initiatives can develop beyond urban settings.

In parallel, space was created for all partner organisations to share their own realities and practices, enriching the learning process through comparison and dialogue. A dedicated session with Diesis Network expanded the conversation to a European scale, connecting local experiences with transnational cooperation and social innovation dynamics.

This second stop in our journey offered a realistic understanding of how third places function on a day-to-day basis, through direct contact with projects, users, and organisers. It allowed us to reflect on governance tools, the distribution of roles, and the balance between coordination, facilitation, and self-management.

The visit focused on agricultural third places rooted in farms and rural territories that evolve into community hubs combining agroecology, education, culture, and collective living. Through site visits, shared experiences, and facilitated workshops, we explored how these places are shaped by their bioregions, the communities they engage with, and the specific social, economic, and institutional challenges of the Greek context.

Throughout the exchange, we worked collectively to identify key needs, difficulties, and opportunities for agricultural third places in Greece, while reflecting on governance, sustainability, and advocacy. Rather than isolated perspectives, the discussions were informed by the diverse realities of participants encountered along the way, highlighting common challenges as well as context-specific responses across territories.

This visit helped clarify our next steps, both locally and at a European level. It strengthened our understanding of how collaboration can grow across different contexts while respecting local specificities, and reinforced the role of agricultural third places in fostering social resilience, ecological innovation, and community empowerment within wider ecosystems.