Partners: City of Saint Quentin, City of Amersfoort, City of Bergen, City of Hamburg, City of Sint Niklaas, Vesthimmerlands Kommune, Familjebostäder, Kringwinkel, Ghent University, Hogeschool Utrecht
Date: May 2024-May 2027
Locations: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden
Funded by the EU Interreg North Sea Programme, Digital Kiosks aims to expand the availability and use of sharing stations across Europe. Sharing stations are self-service lockers where people can borrow practical items like DIY tools, cleaning equipment, sports equipment, games and more.
The average European household is overflowing with underused goods. These items cost citizens a lot of money while taking up valuable space in their homes. They also contribute to the unsustainable overproduction of goods across Europe. Sharing stations offer an innovative solution, making it easier for people to shift from buying to borrowing. However, they currently remain too few in number and too little known to serve as a convenient, reliable alternative to purchasing new items.
Approach
Together with the City of Saint-Quentin (FR), Bax is coordinating the Interreg Digital Kiosks project, where 12 cities and support organisations are testing 22 sharing stations in 7 countries, advancing the sharing revolution across Europe.
This is the first project where public authorities and housing providers take a leading strategic role in facilitating the deployment of sharing stations.
Impact
“Resource efficiency and the circular economy is a focus area of the integrated climate protection concept of Hamburg-Wandsbek. As such, the development, diversification, and upscaling of new and innovative concepts for sharing stations are important actions. We are excited to work with other inspiring European cities and solution providers on moving forward with the idea of a more resource-efficient and climate-friendly society”
– Tim Roesler, Head of Climate Protection Unit, City of Hamburg | Wandsbek District
“Digital Kiosks is the first-ever European project to focus on the new concept of sharing stations. 12 pioneering organisations will work together over the next three years to co-create, deploy, and evaluate 22 sharing stations across 7 European countries. Digital Kiosks is part of a global shift towards more sustainable and social communities!”
– François Dubreuil, Bax Innovation Consultant
