Caring for the Neighborhood Together: Tximelarre Gathers for Gaubeltza and Prepares Its Community Weavers
The proposals that emerged from active listening in Galdakao’s neighborhoods continue to take shape in the day-to-day life of its streets. As part of the Galdakao Zeugaz community initiative, residents continue to turn their shared concerns into concrete actions that strengthen community life and neighborhood support networks.
The starting point was consolidated in May, when co-creation sessions in Tximelarre (Capi) and Urreta brought very clear challenges to the table: the need to create spaces where different generations coexist, reinforcing the sense of belonging, and welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood. Among the solutions devised by the residents themselves, community welcome lunches stood out, designed to break the ice and bring neighbors together around the table.
Building on that momentum, and drawing on the co-creation meetings held throughout this year in Capi, a group of residents decided to adapt the idea to the calendar and organize a community hot chocolate and snack gathering on October 31, coinciding with the afternoon of Gaubeltza (Halloween).
Chocolate-Flavored Halloween
70 chocolates filled the bellies of children, families, and seniors on an afternoon when Tximelarre responded with enthusiasm. Beyond just having a snack, the gathering served as an opportunity to rediscover everyday spaces and for spontaneous ideas to emerge.
The group of neighbors who organized the snack gathering will meet to discuss how to put the proposals into practice: workshops to share skills, basic Basque language lessons for grandparents who care for their grandchildren, reopening the playroom, compiling old photos, and planning more gatherings for Olentzero and Carnival. In addition, signs will be posted showing the routes of the neighborhood walks, which have been running for a couple of months and take place weekly.
“Community Weavers” Training Program
The next step will take place on November 10 with the Community Weavers training workshop, which is closely linked to the Tximelarre and Bengoetxe neighborhood patrol groups, which already serve as vigilant watchdogs on the streets. The event will be open to senior centers, adult education centers (EPA), and the neighborhood at large.
To close out the year, Galdakao Zeugaz will organize a gathering open to the entire community—similar to the one held on June 17—with the goal of taking stock of the progress made and jointly planning for the challenges of the coming year.
