Paper short abstract:

So called ‘citizen cafés’ in Warsaw were a catalyst in bringing together certain actors and developing a prevalent social movement. Their growing relevance made city authorities change their strategy for greater participation. Their example shows the role of space in emerging social movements.

Paper long abstract:

The first so called 'citizen café' was opened in 2005 in a non-central district of Warsaw. Its original aim was to promote independent culture and 'to provide a space for social and cultural interactions'. Soon the place became political: both through its non-exclusiveness and through an initial conflict with the other tenants. Instead of escalating the conflict, the founders of the café started to engage in the politics of the district. The café offered a space for meetings with local authorities, intellectual and political events. It turned into an informal centre of local NGOs. Their growing relevance made city authorities change their strategy for greater participation. The founder of the cafe together with numerous activists were invited to the advisory board of the City Hall and were able to influence official city politics without losing their independence. The symbol of break with former city politics was the announcement of a contest for an independent cultural centre in one of the most attractive commercial spaces of the city. During this time similar cafés started to emerge in Warsaw. Today there exist over a dozen 'citizen cafes' in which most relevant grassroots political and cultural initiatives are taking place. In my paper, presenting the results of research conducted by students in my seminar, I will show that 'citizen cafés' in Warsaw were a catalyst in bringing together certain actors and developing a prevalent social movement and try to develop a broader reflection on the role of spatial structures in social movements.