About the European Coworking Assembly
Independent coworking, taken as a whole, has the largest and most powerful network in Europe, and we are a part of a growing and changing entrepreneurial ecosystem. We want to leverage this network for good.
What makes the ECA different from other
coworking organisations?
We’re a non-profit organisation that supports and promotes the coworking movement, its values and its benefits across the continent.
This is different from the coworking sector, because the movement created the sector and is still creating.
We believe coworking can, if it will step up to the plate, be the infrastructure of the future of work.
The European Coworking Assembly is committed to the network of peers which is improving Europe in an open, collaborative and horizontal way.
The Assembly has a European identity in the broadest sense of the word based on the five values of coworking:
-community,
-openness,
-sustainability,
-collaboration and
-accessibility.
How it all started
Originally founded in July, 2013 as a Belgian nonprofit organisation and intended to lobby European governments and seek EU grants for projects.
Was reorganised in its current form as a Dutch nonprofit in 2017.
Our way of working
We serve as the point of contact between independent coworking in Europe and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in which it finds itself:
by using technology to organise and support projects which support the future of coworking,
by forming partnerships and alliances,
by introducing our members to each other for future alliances based on their goals and values,
by supporting and arranging communication about Coworking in the media and other channels.
by participating in and consulting with others carrying out projects supported by EU, National, Regional, or local funding or grants where our expertise is called for
by participating in collective action initiatives which we believe support the future we want to see
Our structure
The ECA is intentionally operated on a “flock-of-birds” management principle. There is no command-and-control structure to speak of.
We are project based and each project has a leader whose job is to move it forward, and a team in support of it. It is part of the team’s job to figure out how to fund it as well as how to go about it.
There are projects with no leader; these generally are in an early stage and we bring them up every week until a leader emerges or is recruited.
If you can do the following three things, you can take part:
Connect
Stay in touch with the Assembly (move to the centre)
Support
Support each other’s projects (follow your neighbour)
Tell
Tell people when you need help or they are approaching boundary foul (don’t collide)
The Faces Behind the Assembly
Jeannine van der Linden
Founder, manager, chief cook and bottle washer of DeKamer
Jeannine van der Linden is principal of the European Coworking Assembly, managing partner of Open Coworking, and founder of De Kamer, a collaborative coworking community with nine locations in the Netherlands for small business, non-profits, cultural and arts organisations, who seek to drive the economic engine with the new fuels. She is also trained as an American lawyer.
Projects Involved
Jacqueline Mayer
Founder, relationship management and communications strategist
Jacqueline has spent the previous 20 years honing the terms, goals, and ideals of reputation management. Her interest in strategy and its implementation has developed over time.
She believes that communication must cut through the noise by speaking to the right people at the right time with the correct message.
By doing so, Jacqueline has been instrumental in the success of various coworking initiatives by communicating the correct message to the right people.
Projects involved
Bernie J Mitchell
Podcaster and connector
Bernie J Mitchell is a connected and resourceful part of the team with a strong dedication to business development. Marketing runs deep within Bernie’s veins and it has been for the past 20 years.
He has years of experience with podcasting, blogging and email communication to ensure the right message is conveyed.
Projects Involved
Željko Crnjaković (Jack)
Producer and Podcaster
Zeljko specialises in helping g businesses to develop simple messages to increase their ROI, audience engagement and internal productivity. He provides a turn-key creative process for developing digital content and practical consultation.
He hosts the Coworking Values Podcasts, producing and growing the podcast aimed at all things coworking, coliving, communities and more.
Projects Involved
Christian Cordes
Founder – German Coworking Federation
The German Coworking Federation’s founder and board chairman. He founded the Schiller40 Coworking space in Wolfsburg in 2012 and currently serves as the City of Wolfsburg’s top urban digital development officer.
Christian established Wolfsburg’s digital creative and cultural department and oversaw numerous projects for the German and European coworking family.
Projects Involved
- German Coworking Federation
Tash Thomas
Inclusion and Diversity Advocate
Tash Thomas is an inclusion and diversity advocate and speaker. She is currently the cofounder of a unique LGBTQIA+ travel and relationship blog – Breaking the Distance.
She is also a professional presenter and panellist, often being invited to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as women of colour.
Tash has a passion for creating change. All the work she does is towards creating a more equal world.
Project Involved
Vika Zhurbas
Founder of Ukrainian Coworking Association
Vika is 10 years in startups and Coworking industry. 2018-2020 she was managing New Work in Ukraine (a network of flex workspaces spread in Central Eastern Europe). Nowadays her aim is to unite all Coworking providers to boost this industry in Ukraine. She is also a project manager workcloud24 with mission is to achieve climate goals through lowering carbon emissions in real estate via digital solutions.
Projects Involved
Igor Dzhebyan
Co-CEO of andcards
Starting in 2008–2010, Igor successfully defended his MSc thesis on the application of neural networks and genetic algorithms in the mathematical modeling of steels at Asia’s top university, POSTECH. While working in the field of corporate investments at POSCO’s Seoul HQ from 2010–2016, he met my friend and co-founder Ross Khanas, who was then a software engineer at Samsung Electronics. Together, they have embarked on a journey to make coworking spaces more accessible to people and founded andcards in 2017.
Projects Involved
Claudius Krucker
Founder of European Coworking Day
You probably don’t expect a straight-forward legal career from an “events guy” who was active in the Student Union and a variety of cultural and international associations before receiving his M.A. in Law at the University of St.Gallen (HSG).
You guessed right.
After a year as assistant to the chair private law and gaining professional experience in project and change management in the Bologna Team of the University, Claudius left the safe path to start my own art platform and cultural management business. One of his mandates brought him in contact with coworking, which he sees as an ideal environment to support startups and freelancers and develop ecosystems for networking and promotion.
Projects involved
Claire Carpenter
Claire Carpenter, Coach (Founder & Former CEO)
I help people understand, plan for & then live their wildest dreams.
I’m an ‘OG’ in ‘Coworking’ & award-winning entrepreneur (for whatever that’s worth…).
I’m the ECA’s Ambassador for Scotland.
I created one of Europes’ oldest coworking communities – housed within The Melting Pot – Scotland’s Centre for Social Innovation, located in Edinburgh.
After 20 years of being the ‘social innovator-in-residence’, of building a variety of services that ‘stimulate & support social innovation’, & then rescuing & scaling up our coworking arm during the Covid years – it is time for me to switch. A change is as good as a rest.
I now focus on coaching & mentoring others, some consultancy & facilitation – and going climbing (whilst we can travel again…).
We all need to live our dreams. Will you tell me yours?
www.ClaireCarpenterCoaching.com
Projects Involved
- European Coworking Day
- Rural Coworking Project
- Coworking Day
Johanna Voll
Founder of Punkterei, Co-Founder of Coworking Library
Johanna is a long time coworking enthusiast and co-founder of the Coworking Library. She currently develops and supports various projects around coworking.
While working as a research assistant at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), she researched and taught on the topic of the reorganisation of work from a sociological perspective.
She is active on the board of the German Coworking Federation as well as the FZCB, an institution of vocational education in Berlin with a focus on female empowerment.
She connects people, moderates discussions and is never afraid to ask difficult questions. Together with an association, she has also been rebuilding an old brewery into a third space as well as a coworking space in the heart of Halle (Saale).
Projects Involved
Marko Orel
Assistant professor and Head of Center for Workplace Research
Marko Orel is an organisational sociologist who works as an assistant professor and a head of the Centre for Workplace Research (CWER) at Prague University of Economics and Business. He specialises in exploring the changing nature of the workplace and the transformation of work and work-related processes. In addition to that, Marko is currently exploring experimental, qualitative research methodologies. He recently guest-edited a special issue on workplace transformation at Emerald’s Journal of Corporate Real Estate, edited a volume on flexible workplaces that Springer Nature has published, and has published several chapters and research papers in journals such as World Leisure Journal, Mobile Networks & Applications, Review of Managerial Science and others.
Projects involved
Piotr Boulangé
Startup mentor at Accelpoint
Piotr is the director at Founder Institute Warsaw, and a Coworking Expert. ex-WeWork Labs Manager, ex-Bolt. Impact and Purpose Driven Startups’ Mentor, Advisor, Investor. A sociologist by birth and Education, he finished an Executive MBA, in Quality Process Management, and writes Ph.D. on the benefits of working in the Coworking spaces. Enjoys Ultra-marathons and mountain runs.
Carsten Foertsch
Founder of Deskmag and the Global Coworking Survey
Carsten conducts the annual Global Coworking Survey and operates Deskmag, the online magazine about coworking, its people and spaces.
Projects Involved
Hector Kolonas
Founder of included.co and built coworkinglibrary.com
Hector is the founder of included.co which provides powerful member benefit programmes to 100s of coworking, freelancer and gig-economy communities.
Hector is also the founder of This Week in Coworking, a newsletter that informs subscribers of all things happening in the coworking industry.
Mauro Bellani
CEO of Proova
After a long time working in retail, marketing and analysis Mauro decided to dedicate this stage of his life to his startup.
He is developing a startup which helps community managers of living sharing spaces to matching their members’ personality an needs in order to create the most contentful community life.
Projects Involved
Ashley Proctor
Systems change and social justice advocate, founder Creative Blueprint, Coworking Canada and COHIP
As one of the founders of the coworking movement, Ashley works collaboratively to animate, nurture and empower resilient, thriving communities. She has dedicated a lifetime to breaking down barriers, fighting for change, justice, equity, agency, inclusion, accessibility and a just recovery for all.
Projects involved
Tankut Mulayimsi
CEO of Co-Founder.Work and ECA Türkiye representative
Tankut has many talents and makes use of them. Currently he is the CEO of Co-Founder.Work. He works in sales, business development and interior design.
He has a strong passion for community and uses it to create ergonomic workspaces.
Projects involved
- Representative of the European Coworking Assembly in Türkiye
Inga Veselova
Serial entrepreneur, startup investment expert, international business relations
Inga Veselova‘s biggest passion is horse riding, and this has taught her a lot of patience and how to work well under pressure. It also activated her competitive side which brings advantage to the Velvet team.
She has been a startup adviser with more than 7 years of experience. Her main focus is early stage companies that are bootstrapping or looking to raise their investment round. This knowledge she brings to the ECA.
Projects involved
Stacey Sheppard
Freelance writer, award-winning interiors blogger and founder of The Tribe
Stacy is an experienced Freelance Writer with a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry. She has strong media and communication professional skilled in Editing, Journalism, Media Relations, Publications, Copy Editing, Blogging and Social Media.
Working as a freelancer, she knows what European Freelancers need, making her perfect for EFWeek
Projects involved
Maria do Ceu Bastos
Co-founder @Nowhere Desk Arcos de Valdevez & Community Manager Arcos de Valdevez @Rural Move
Maria is a freelance translator and she works in legal and technical translation, localization, and transcreation. She is specialized in terminology and terminology management tools.
She is also an English teacher at the Hospitality Schools from Turismo de Portugal.
She recently moved to Arcos de Valdevez where she had a project for a rural coworking and coliving. She is a volunteer at the European Rural Coworking Project and Rural Move.
Projects involved
Szilvia Filep
Brand & Business Development Strategist , Coworking Specialist, Freelancing Enthusiast
Szilvia is a branding and business development expert, coworking specialist. She has actively participated in building the Hungarian freelance ecosystem since 2013. Former trainer at the global online work platform, Upwork, founder and author of FreelancerBlog, marketing & partnership manager of Freelance Business Community. Since early 2020, she has been actively involved in promoting coworking and creating exciting spaces and concepts. Her latest project is the Katedra Coworking in Veszprém.
Projects involved
- Representative of the European Coworking Assembly in Hungary
Loubna Messaoudi
CEO & Founder
Loubna Messaoudi, former airline pilot, is the CEO Founder of BIWOC* Rising.
Her work in the past few years has focused on the crossroads of discriminatory structures of women* of colour and the connected economic and social participation in Germany. In addition, she offers mediation and diversity / inclusion training for companies and educational institutions with an intersectional approach. In 2020 she joined BMW Foundation’s Responsible Leadership Program.
Projects involved
- ECA Handbook
Suzanne Murdock
Coworking & Flex Operator & Co-Founder | Hybrid Workplace & Agility
Suzanne has always been relationship driven with a keen focus on
inclusivity, participation, belonging & purpose and extensive experience
in client facing roles across banking, real estate and coworking. She’s
been working within the coworking movement for many years and
cofounded her network of workspaces back in 2012 (The Hub Newry)
based in Northern Ireland. She also hosts a podcast alongside this
exploring the energy, connections, expertise & fulfilment that coworking
can bring.
Aside from this she’s also a certified coach & mentor skilled in leading
SME business leaders & commercial property owners / flex operators
through flexible & hybrid workplace transformations with a particular focus on
regional working, workplace experience and fulfilment.
Projects involved
Alumni and Members not currently on a project team
Alex Ahom
Podcaster
Alex has 15+ years of business development, operations, human resources, training and management experience in hospitality, retail, recruitment, sports, education, tech and media.
Passionate about empowering teams to act now while leading long term sustainable growth. His long term vision is to help others turn their goals into successful and sustainable realities.
Mike LaRosa
Flex workspace expert, remote work enthusiast
Mike LaRosa has been on lists such as “Most Influential People in Coworking”. Since 2013 he has researched, studied and visited over 600 flex workspace locations. Mike’s love of marketing and advertising led him to discover the concept of flexible working.
Peri Taylor
Freelancer, marketing consultant
Peri Taylor is a freelance marketing professional with over 20 years of marketing experience in both the business and non-profit sectors.
She has a plethora of expertise and can immediately comprehend the needs of a firm by capitalising on and utilising available resources. Her passion is coworking, painting and working with people with diverse backgrounds.
Mike Zeidler
Director – Collaborative Spaces UK
Mike Zeidler is the director of Collaborative Places UK: the Association of Coworking and Collaboration has 25+ years experience in ‘responsible business’ and enterprise that keeps the wellbeing of people and the planet in mind. He is especially interested in mutual learning, getting stuff done, and making the most of his connected potential. Mike adds value through the rich diversity of his connections to people, places and ideas.
Ivanne Poussier
Inclusion and diversity advocate
Ivanne Poussier is an expert in urban strategies with a solid background in the Humanities. She advocates for a more open, diverse and inclusive future of work. Long involved in women’s professional networks, she has toured women-focused coworking spaces across Europe.
She also founded Ada Coworking in tribute to Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer in history.
Caroline van Keymeulen de Oliveira
Founder – European Coworking Academy
Caroline is the founder of the European Coworking Academy. With over 10 years experience as a business owner in HR and event hospitality, she helps spaces and people grow and facilitates the right training for coworking consultants.
From defining strategy to concept design to execution for businesses.
Kofi Oppong
Entrepreneur, founder of Urban MBA
Once without a home himself, Kofi built a career in sport and social enterprise before founding Urban MBA to create opportunities for other young people.
His passion lies in helping out of school youths to achieve success by providing the opportunities and the means to succeed.
Miroslav (Miša) Mijatov
Founder & co-owner of the first coworking space in Serbia – Smart Office Coworking
Miša is a problem solver, creative and strategic thinker with a strong passion for making things happen, marketing strategy, growth hacking, storytelling, community building and social impact. HE is a dreamer who doesn’t have much time for sleep, a serial entrepreneur, passionate traveler and gastronomad, a guy who cannot stay put for one minute. Physically or mentally!
Jose Antonio Morales
Social entrepreneur, rural coworking advocate
Jose Antonio Morales is the founder and manager of the Lincoln Island Initiative and Aurora Coworking.
Jose helps people create chances and find meaning in their lives through entrepreneurship. He is passionate about Social Entrepreneurship and transforming the world into a more just and sustainable place for all of its people.
The Entity
The European Coworking Assembly is a Dutch foundation registered with the DeKamer van Koophandel Netherlands under the name Stichting European Coworking Assembly, number 73105058 with its address at: Zandheuvel 52 B, 4901HW, Oosterhout, the Netherlands.
IBAN: NL55BUNQ2033781585
Account Name: Stichting European Coworking Assembly
Bank Name: Bunq Bank
BIC: BUNQNL2AXXX
VAT number: NL859356711B01
Privacy Statement
Our General Terms of Service are here
We don’t collect your data here for any purpose other than responding to you, so we have no policy on anything other than that.
If you send us an email we will answer you via the address you give us. If you ask us to call you we will do it with the number you provide. We won’t send you any other emails, and we won’t call you for any other reason, and we certainly won’t sell or share your data with anybody without checking with you first – you are not a prize to us. You are the Assembly, and we are too.
If you opt-in or interact with our Twitter, Facebook, or newsletter registrations then we will collect the data you opted into given to us for those purposes. Because, if you sign up for something with us you will get it. No exceptions.