Buy Out Spektral – Securing Free Space

Project owner: Spektral Vermieter – Verein (Eigentümer) / Verein freefutureforces (Betreiber) | Spektral Vermieter Association (Owner) / freefutureforces Association (Operator)

Responsible person: Sebastian "See" Waach

2026

Nominated

AT

Civil Society / Social Economy

What is it about?

Spektral has been a non-commercial free space for culture, art and activism in Graz since 2004. When the landlord announced the sale in 2024, the community launched a crowdlending campaign based on the habiTAT model – as the first cultural space and first association ever in this framework. Goal: raise €350,000 to remove the premises from the real estate market and secure affordable rents for culture long-term. The goal was reached in November 2025 – now begins the multi-year repayment phase.