About us
Europa Cafes is an independent, non-profit European platform dedicated to Purpose Cafes —
cafes with a clear social, cultural,
or civic mission.
The role of Purpose cafes
We work to strengthen their role as everyday spaces where social connection, culture, dialogue, and democracy can exist in daily life.
Across Europe, cafes have historically been places of encounter, debate, and shared life. As long as cafes exist, the idea of Europe has living content. Today, many of these spaces continue to serve the public good, often with limited resources and recognition. Europa Cafes exists to support, connect, and sustain them.
Purpose cafes are not just businesses.
They are living infrastructures of Europe’s
social and democratic life.
Our four pillars
” As long as cafes exist, the idea of Europe has living content.”
George Steiner (2005)
1. We map and analyse Purpose Cafes across Europe to understand their realities, needs, and potential.
- Ongoing fieldwork in 25 European countries
- A living mapping of 1000+ cafes
- A shared 7-dimension analytical framework ( covering the social role, governance, economic model, inclusion, cultural life, territorial anchoring and future vision)
2. We deliver capacity-building support to cafes, reinforcing their ability to act effectively at local level.
- Peer learning and mutual support between cafes
- Practical tools and formats
- The co-delivery of projects with cafes
3. We connect cafes, practitioners, partners, and institutions across Europe.
- A European community of practice
- Project intermediation between cafes and partners
- Cross-border exchanges and collaborations.
4. We advocate for the role
of cafes and work to ensure their contribution is made visible and formally recognised at European level.
- Collecting and sharing stories and data from the field
- Producing shared knowledge tools (Evidence Pack, indicators, case studies)
- Contributing to advocacy and recognition processes
Our Theory of Change
Europa Cafes’ mission is to turn isolated local initiatives into a shared European movement.
EUROPEAN REALITIES
- Loneliness
- Social isolation
- Political polarisation
- Loss of common ground
UNTAPPED EVERYDAY POTENTIAL
Cafes as accessible places of social connection, culture and informal civic encounter.
EUROPA CAFES ACTION
Understand → Strengthen → Connect → Make visible
(Majority of resources directed to direct support for cafes)
SYSTEMIC EFFECTS
- Stronger social ties
- Reduced isolation
- More spaces to meet across differences
- Cafes recognised as social, cultural and civic infrastructures
- Impact is built through cumulative local effects
LONG-TERM IMPACT
- Social cohesion
- Culture in everyday life
- Democracy practised locally
- A more resilient Europe
Our long-term ambition is that cafes are recognised and supported
as pillars of Europe’s social, cultural, and civic infrastructure — places where
social connection, disagreement, and democracy can coexist in everyday life.
What we practically do
Europa Cafes works through a project-based, opportunity-driven approach, designed to respond to real needs on the ground and to evolve over time. Most of our resources are directed toward direct support for cafes.
Current and Emerging Projects
These initiatives are living projects: they are tested, adapted, combined, and scaled through learning and collaboration.
Future Services and Initiatives
Europa Cafes operates as an open platform, actively co-developing projects with cafes, cultural and civic organisations, researchers, foundations, and public institutions.
Our network
Europa Cafes works with a growing network of Purpose Cafes and partners across Europe.
Our team
Europa Cafes is guided by an independent European Collegial Council composed of figures from culture, social innovation, research, and civic life, ensuring long-term mission integrity and independence.
CONTACT
Antoine Burret
Executive Director
antoine@europacafes.org
Fore more details about our initiative, we invite you to check our presentation.
