New "Swapbox" in the cemetery district: sustainability meets neighbourhood
The new swap box was officially opened in the Friedhofsviertel neighbourhood at the weekend. Numerous residents of the neighbourhood met at the neighbourhood meeting point to get to know the new service. The opening was accompanied by a colourful programme with coffee and cake, face painting and play stations for children and young people.
The swap box, a central component of the "Tauschen statt kaufen" project, is intended to promote the exchange of household items, clothing, toys and plants among neighbours and thus contribute to greater sustainability and closer cohesion in the neighbourhood.
The idea behind it is simple: things that you no longer need can be placed in the swap box and taken away by other residents free of charge. In addition to the purely practical benefits, it is also about bringing people of different generations and cultures into dialogue.
"I hope that you will all make active use of the offer", said Bocholt's deputy mayor Elisabeth Kroesen in her welcoming address. She praised the commitment of the residents of the neighbourhood.
Franz-Ludwig Blömker, Chairman of the Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Offices (BaS), also welcomed those present. "You have created an excellent opportunity here to meet and exchange ideas", said Blömker.
About the project "Swapping instead of buying"
The swap box is accompanied by numerous activities designed to further revitalise the neighbourhood. Activities such as repair workshops, upcycling projects and craft afternoons are planned for the coming months, giving neighbours the opportunity to get to know each other and get creative together.
The project "Tauschen statt kaufen - Tauschbox für die Nachbarschaft" is part of the federal programme Generationen-Kulturen-Vielfalt, funded by the programme "Demokratie Leben". It aims to bring people of different generations and cultures together in one central location. The project is funded by the "Begegnung und Zusammenhalt" programme, sponsored by Stiftung Mercator.
The exchange of items and joint activities are not only intended to promote sustainability, but also to strengthen social cohesion in the neighbourhood. The swap box in the cemetery district in Bocholt serves as a central meeting point, which is enlivened by regular activities such as workshops and events.