Company Description

Imagine growing up in a village where everyone knows each other, but watching more and more people leave every year.

This is the reality in Alexandru Cel Bun, a village near Piatra Neamț in Romania. During our interviews, residents repeatedly told us how important community is to them. At the same time, they shared concerns about isolation, limited activities, and the loss of opportunities for young people.

Our solution... VIVA PIATA! Long live the market. We propose creating a community square on an unused field in the heart of the village. The square would provide space for markets, events, activities, and informal gatherings that bring people together.

By creating a place where residents can meet, connect, and celebrate their community, we aim to strengthen social cohesion and improve quality of life for all generations.

Our project is about more than building a square, it is about building connections.

Product Description 

Our project addresses the issue of community fragmentation and youth brain drain in the Romanian commune of Alexandru Cel Bun. Through our field research and local interviews, we discovered that while residents deeply value human connection, the community has become disconnected as young people leave for larger cities due to low wages and lack of opportunities.

To fix this, our idea is to transform an abandoned field on Strada Tipografului into a vibrant, central neighbourhood square. This inclusive public space will bridge the generational gap between the youth and the elderly by hosting volunteer-led social and cultural activities—such as community dance nights and a modern children's playground—which locals explicitly expressed a need for. The project will be structurally and financially supported through a partnership with the local municipality and the NGO ADR.

About us

Lian Bong

Anne-Sophie van Westen

Gerrit Vos

Ymke Bakker

Pedro Henriques