The National Centre for Research and Development

The goal of the research and development project titled “Let’s Live Together,” implemented under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Program (SPPW) within the Research and Innovation Programme, Applied Research, is to design and test a service supporting the creation of cohousing developments in Poland.

The project was created in response to two key challenges that will have a huge impact on the quality of life in our country in the coming years:

• the deepening housing crisis and limited availability of affordable housing,

• the rapidly aging population and the growing need for seniors to live independently in their own homes.

Cohousing is more than just a place to live; it is a concept that combines privacy (each resident has their own apartment), community (residents share common areas, such as a garden, kitchen, or recreational spaces), and social connections (through daily interaction and mutual support). Cohousing allows residents to maintain their independence while counteracting social isolation and strengthening neighborhood ties. This housing model, which has been known for years in Western European countries, is only now beginning to take root in Poland.

From Research to Implementation

As part of the “Let’s Live Together” project, the following activities are planned:

• an assessment of social needs—including interviews with residents, experts, and local government representatives,

• an analysis of best practices—including study visits to Switzerland, where cohousing has been in place for years,

• co-design of solutions—including architectural and organizational models,

• pilot testing—putting the developed solutions to the test in practice.

The result of this research and development project will be a comprehensive service supporting the creation of cohousing developments, ready for implementation on a larger scale. The service is intended for various groups—ranging from residents and grassroots initiatives, through local governments and public institutions, to housing providers and private investors. Cooperation among these groups is key to enabling the development of accessible and socially oriented housing projects.

Pilot Project in Gdynia—the First Step in Poland

One of the first places to implement the concept of cohousing in Poland is Gdynia, which is actively seeking innovative solutions in the housing sector. In this context, joint efforts were undertaken as part of the SPPW project.

The city signed an agreement with the “Na Miejscu” Foundation and began collaborating on a pilot project aimed at developing, testing, and implementing a cohousing model based on the experiences of Gdynia and its residents.

SPPW Support

The project “Let's live together - research and development of a service for the implementation of cohousing development in Poland” received funding in the amount of 4,465,480.54 PLN in the Research and Innovation Programme, Applied Research under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Program. This program, operated by the National Center for Research and Development, enables the implementation of research and development projects and the adoption of innovative solutions that address real social needs and support sustainable development.

The project is being implemented by the Foundation for Local Communities "On Site", Pedestrian Mobility Switzerland and the Polish microenterprise Landscape Practice Marta Tomasiak. Project activities are scheduled to continue through February 2028.

This project, carried out as part of the SPPW, demonstrates that innovations (including social innovations) can have a tangible impact on residents’ quality of life, and that Poland has the opportunity to join the ranks of countries that are effectively addressing contemporary challenges through modern solutions.