At Cobot, we were excited to virtually attend the Coworking Portugal National Workshop held on the 23rd of March at Impact Hub Lisbon-Penha. The hybrid conference brought together influential people from the Portuguese coworking movement and beyond, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of coworking in Portugal since the inaugural national workshop held in Porto in October 2022. Among the organizers were Elisabete Tomaz, Associate Researcher at DINÂMIA’CET-Iscte and a member of the Management Committee of the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) ACTION CA 18214, along with Vika Zhurbas, President of the Ukrainian Coworking Association and a Working Group (WG) member of CA 18214. Additionally, Carles Méndez-Ortega, Assistant Professor at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, contributed his expertise to the event.
This event provided us with a rich platform to connect with stakeholders and industry leaders from the local coworking community. Here's a glimpse into some of the key takeaways we gathered:
1. Promoting Interaction and Community in Coworking Spaces
- Elisabete Tomaz and Maria Assunção Gato, also a Researcher at DINÂMIA'CET-Iscte, provided insightful opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of community and the growth of coworking spaces.
- Simone Franke from Pappus Agency talked on cultivating community through selfless actions which further reinforced this theme.
- Discussions highlighted the multifaceted role of community managers, underlining the need for streamlined operations and enhanced engagement.
2. Innovation and Adaptability
- The shift toward flexible work arrangements calls for coworking spaces to adapt to diverse needs, including those of remote workers, freelancers, and small enterprises.
- Carles Méndez-Ortega's presentation on the "Evolution of New Working Spaces" emphasized the need for coworking spaces to innovate and adapt.
- His collaborative effort as one of the editors for the anthology, "Evolution of New Working Spaces: Changing Nature and Geographies," provided valuable insights into the evolution of coworking spaces and meeting modern workers' needs.
3. Leveraging Strategic Collaborations
- "Collaboration is not about gluing together existing egos. It's about the ideas that never existed until after everyone entered the room."
- The quote, sourced from Pedro Reis’ website Komuhn, encapsulates the ideology of the coworking space as presented by him. 'The Great Good Place' is one of his most recent projects that embodies his vision for collaborative spaces.
- Pedro Reis' focus on community impact showcased how strategic collaborations can benefit not just coworking spaces but also the society.
- The focus on developing spaces where people can freely exchange ideas, resources, skills, and knowledge is central to this vision. It's about more than just physical locations; it's about fostering the right kind of environment for innovation and community development.
As the presentations concluded, they marked the culmination of the first part of the event, leaving attendees inspired and energized. Following the tradition from the previous year, the audience on-site embarked on a tour of local coworking spaces, including Avila Spaces and IDEA Spaces. These tours provided firsthand insight into the diverse and vibrant coworking landscape, showcasing the power of collaboration within and beyond traditional boundaries.
This synergy between sectors points to a growing trend that Cobot is excited to support through our software solutions, facilitating connections and collaborations.
If you're considering diving into the coworking world, we invite you to explore Cobot's solutions, empowering spaces worldwide to thrive and innovate.
Until we meet again, let's keep unlocking the potential of coworking, one community at a time.
If you're looking to streamline operations within your coworking community, give Cobot a try. Feel free to contact us or sign up for a demo here and get started today!
