Problem addressed

Many local makers, small businesses, and cultural initiatives face high barriers when trying to access or activate affordable spaces. Activation costs such as deposits, renovation, or equipment often exceed their financial capacity, while public funding requires own contributions they cannot provide. At the same time, many ground-floor spaces remain vacant. This mismatch blocks social, cultural, and economic potential at neighbourhood level.

Innovative solution

The RaumBooster introduces a cooperative matchfunding model that links community crowdfunding with public and private co-funding. It lowers entry barriers for local initiatives by rewarding civic engagement with additional grants once a defined crowdfunding threshold is reached. This hybrid mechanism mobilises new resources, activates vacant spaces, and creates a replicable model for social innovation and local economic resilience.

The model was piloted in Vienna and Graz, and later adapted in Innsbruck through the “Aufrunden bitte” mechanism. In 2025, the concept evolved into WeCreateSpace, a co-financing system that structurally links crowdfunding with public funding schemes. It is also being applied in sheBOOST to mobilise community resources for women-led local makers.

Key results and benefits

The pilots in Vienna, Graz demonstrated strong leverage effects: every euro of matchfunding mobilised up to 22 euros in community contributions. Seven campaigns enabled the activation or renovation of several spaces, including cultural centres and creative hubs. The model proved that combining public, private, and civic funds increases participation, strengthens local networks, and makes urban transformation more inclusive and effective.

Potential for mainstreaming

The matchfunding model can be easily adapted by municipalities, regions, or intermediary organisations seeking to revitalise vacant spaces or support local initiatives. It integrates existing public funding schemes with civic and private contributions, creating flexible and transparent co-financing structures. The proven pilots in Vienna and Graz demonstrate its scalability and potential to become a standard tool for community-based urban development and social innovation across Europe.