Mother Centers are self-managed public spaces in the neighborhood, where mothers and their children meet on a daily basis. The atmosphere is informal. You join by having a cup of coffee in the coffee shop or by a visit to the Mother Center second hand store. Childcare is offered on a drop-in basis for all ages throughout the opening hours of the center. Mother Centers are based on participation. Their motto is that “everybody is good at at least one thing – that they can contribute”.

Mother Centers are places where mothers can:

• relax-focus on their needs and interests
• exchange knowledge and experiences with peers
• receive personal support-take or give courses and trainings (language, music, computer courses, job trainings)
• initiate projects and family services like childcare, eldercare, hot meals, healthcare, laundry, repair or household services.

In Mother Centers women are supported to:

• Join forces to improve the life of their families and communities
• Unite with mothers from different social and cultural backgrounds
• Create a culture of friendship and mutual support
• Enrich neighborhoods and support social cohesion
• Claim public space and acknowledge everyday life experience as expertise
• Regain confidence and recognize their assets
• Participate in policy making and local governance
• Fight poverty and social exclusion
• Enhance the recognition of motherhood in society