Poland:
Zero Waste Multicentre
in Brzeg Dolny
Intro
The Zero Waste Multicentre in Brzeg Dolny has transformed an unused commercial space into a vibrant community hub for circular lifestyles. Through sewing, carpentry, cooking, and upcycling workshops, the centre empowers residents to reduce waste in practical and enjoyable ways. Its success lies in strong cooperation between the municipality, local NGOs, businesses, and passionate community members. Today, the Multicentre stands as an inspiring example of how cities can foster creative re-use, strengthen social ties, and spark long-term environmental change. The growing number of participants confirms that people are ready to engage in greener habits when given the right tools and support. What started as a pilot initiative has quickly become a visible symbol of a more sustainable future for Brzeg Dolny — built together with its residents.
Its success lies in strong cooperation between the municipality, local NGOs, businesses, and passionate community members. Today, the Multicentre stands as an inspiring example of how cities can foster creative re-use, strengthen social ties, and spark long-term environmental change.
Pilot idea
The main goal of the pilot was to create an accessible, multifunctional place where residents can learn and apply circular economy principles in everyday life. Located in the city centre, the Multicentre provides hands-on education through thematic workshops, skill-sharing activities, and community events. The pilot was implemented by the Municipality of Brzeg Dolny as part of the NiCE project, with strong involvement from local organisations, SMEs, schools and active citizens. The pilot ran from late 2023 to mid-2025, evolving from a concept into a fully equipped, operational space for practical learning. The idea was to show that sustainability can be both creative and social — bringing together people of different ages and backgrounds around a shared goal of waste reduction and mindful consumption. Thanks to a mix of municipal investment and European funding, the once-empty space has become a lively community centre that continues to grow and inspire new initiatives.
The pilot process included planning, renovation, equipping workshop zones (woodworking, sewing, and cooking), building a team of educators, and running workshops for different target groups — including adults, seniors, and young people. The transformation began with adapting a long-unused commercial space into a modern, functional area designed for creativity and collaboration. Each stage required close coordination between the municipality, designers, contractors, and local partners to ensure the space met both safety and educational needs. Once equipped, the Multicentre became a hands-on learning environment where residents could experiment, create, and exchange ideas in a supportive, community-driven setting.
How it started
At the beginning, a needs analysis and community consultations were carried out to better understand residents’ interests and expectations, ensuring the future workshops would respond to real needs. This preparatory phase also included architectural planning and cooperation with local companies, which donated materials such as wood remnants, textiles, and foam for the refurbishment. The premises previously housed a household appliance shop and later a TV repair service, but had remained unused for several years. Because it was centrally located and offered several rooms suitable for transformation into workshop areas, it became an ideal spot for the Multicentre. Before officially launching the pilot, the project team organised a series of outdoor workshops during local events to promote the idea of the centre, introduce the concept of the circular economy, and show residents what kind of activities they could expect in the future. These sample workshops — such as creating plant pots from plastic bottles or sewing upcycled fabric bags — attracted strong interest and helped build an early community around the initiative.
Supported by €25,000 from the NiCE project and more than €200,000 invested by the Municipality of Brzeg Dolny, the space was completely renovated and transformed into a modern, functional hub for circular education and community engagement.
Implementation phase
The Zero Waste Multicentre officially opened in February 2025 and quickly became a dynamic learning environment for residents of all ages. Its activity program was designed to combine practical education with social engagement, promoting simple but impactful changes in everyday life. The centre operates in four main workshop zones — carpentry, sewing, cooking, and upcycling — each offering hands-on sessions led by experienced educators and volunteers.
In the carpentry studio, participants learn how to use hand and power tools safely, repair small household items, and create simple furniture or decorative objects from reclaimed wood. The sewing studio focuses on textile reuse, including turning old jeans or upholstery scraps into bags, pouches, or cushion covers. The culinary zone introduces participants to plant-based cuisine and zero-waste principles, teaching how to use food leftovers creatively, plan meals sustainably, and reduce packaging waste. Meanwhile, the upcycling corner serves as an open creative space for both children and adults, where participants can give a second life to everyday materials — making toys, decorations, or useful objects from what would otherwise be thrown away.
The Multicentre functions on a monthly schedule, with workshops offered several times a week in small groups to ensure a personal and supportive atmosphere. Registration takes place online, and due to very high demand, available places often fill up within hours of publication. In addition to workshops, the Multicentre also offers open-space hours, during which residents can work independently on their own DIY projects using the centre’s equipment and materials under the supervision of educators. This approach encourages self-initiative and strengthens the sense of ownership among users. A growing number of participants have also become volunteers, proposing and leading their own sessions, such as macramé or seasonal decoration workshops. This model not only expands the centre’s offer but also deepens community involvement.
From an operational point of view, the Multicentre is managed by the Municipality of Brzeg Dolny, with coordination and administration handled by a small municipal team. Educators and instructors are contracted on a freelance basis, while materials are partly purchased and partly donated by local companies and institutions. The financial model is based on municipal support combined with external funding opportunities, with long-term sustainability plans including cooperation with NGOs and potential creation of a foundation or association to manage the centre independently in the future.
The program of the Multicentre is continuously evolving — incorporating community feedback, seasonal themes, and joint initiatives with schools, local action groups, and NGOs. Beyond skill development, the centre has become a true meeting point, promoting creativity, cooperation, and responsible consumption across generations.
Residents can register online and choose activities that match their interests. Cooperation with schools encourages youth participation, while partnerships with NGOs and local businesses help expand the offer and reduce operational waste.
Communication efforts include a project website, Facebook page, press articles, and public events showcasing results. Thanks to strong team coordination and municipal support, the centre continues operating as a long-term service beyond the duration of the NiCE project.
Outcomes and learnings
The pilot has already strengthened community engagement, improved awareness of circular lifestyles, and encouraged new habits such as repair, reuse, and smarter consumption. Participation continues to rise, creating a steady user base and strong demand for more workshops. Key learnings include the importance of accessibility, informal education, and partnerships with local stakeholders.
The Multicentre demonstrates that even smaller towns can successfully establish creative circular hubs when municipalities invest in people, not only in infrastructure. The model is scalable and replicable — offering valuable inspiration for communities across Europe seeking to build more sustainable futures together.
Pilot video
Project NiCE is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund
Follow us