Maakleerplek — Open workplace for creative entrepreneurs
Maakleerplek roughly translates to make-learn-place. It’s an open workspace in the Belgian city of Leuven where schools, companies, creatives and citizens can meet up, share space and materials, make things, and learn from each other.
Maakleerplek — Turning sustainability
ambitions into actions
The challenge
The city of Leuven collaborated with switchrs to set up and facilitate the process where we guided +20 stakeholders in creating a shared vision and business model.
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How can we co-create a shared vision for maakleerplek with +20 different stakeholders?
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Can we develop a common business model that leaves enough room for individual autonomy?
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How can we create a solid financial model where everyone contributes according to their ability?


What our client says
Tine Brems
Coordinator maakleerplek – City of Leuven

The Approach
In an online co-creation process, we used a DIY approach with tools and templates for smaller groups to fill in themselves, and brought the results of these individual steps together in bigger online workshops where the common ground between all companies and ideas was further established.
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Keeping in sight the different agenda’s, timings and challenges.
Our solution
Together with all the stakeholders we managed to create a shared vision and intention agreement on which they are building further. After co-developing the business model and financial planning, switchrs also helped the different stakeholders in choosing the best legal structures to concretize the ambitions, and solidify the partnerships.
- Land with a shared vision that was signed by all participants as closure of the process, and start of the maakleerplek.
- Further strengthening the partnerships through legal structures and guidance.
- Backline support for the managing team in governance and next steps
Reach out!
Want to explore how we can turn your sustainability ambitions into actions? Leave your name and contact details below, and we’ll get in touch!

co-founder switchrs
+32 493 116 107
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