Neighbourhood Repair Hubs: monthly fix-it sessions + tool library in 6 Ghent districts

Goal: reduce waste and household costs in Ghent by making repair and reuse easy, local, and social.

What we will do

• Launch 6 Neighbourhood Repair Hubs (one per district), hosted in existing public spaces (community centers, libraries, schools).

• Organize monthly repair sessions with volunteers and paid coordinators: small electronics, clothing, bikes, and basic furniture.

• Create a shared tool library with reservation system and clear safety rules (drills, sanders, sewing machines, bike tools).

• Offer micro-workshops (30–45 min) on practical skills: patching jeans, replacing phone batteries, adjusting brakes, fixing lamps.

• Set up a reuse corner for spare parts and donated items (cables, buttons, zippers, bike lights).

Why this matters

• Many items are discarded for minor faults that can be repaired in under 30 minutes.

• Repair skills are unevenly distributed and often inaccessible to people with low income or limited mobility.

• Repair strengthens community ties and keeps value circulating locally.

How we’ll deliver

1. Setup (8 weeks): identify host venues, recruit volunteer fixers, define safety protocols, and procure initial tools.

2. Pilot (3 months): run one session per hub, track attendance, repair success rate, and common categories.

3. Scale-up: add tool reservations, partner with local repair businesses for overflow and training.

4. Evaluation: report quarterly on repaired items, estimated CO₂ savings, and participant feedback.

Expected results

• At least 1,800 repaired items in the first year.

• Lower household spending and fewer bulky waste pickups.

• A visible “repair culture” in public life, supported by skills-sharing and mutual aid.

Notes: hubs will follow clear liability rules, and high-risk repairs (gas appliances, complex batteries) will be excluded or redirected to certified professionals.