A new pilot project in Sanem lets children design and build their own structures with the help of craftsmen, teaching them creativity, independence, and practical skills, with plans to expand the initiative nationwide from 2027 onwards through a mobile workshop.
At Matgesfeld in Belval, a new wooden hut has been added, designed, and built by children themselves. As part of the pilot project Kanner-Geschierkëscht – Children's Toolbox – young participants are encouraged to plan, construct, and decorate their own structures. Supported by professionals from different trades, they learn by measuring, screwing, hammering, and painting, gradually turning their ideas into real projects.
The municipality of Sanem is the first to take part in the initiative, and mayor Simone Asselborn-Bintz believes Matgesfeld is the perfect location. She explained that the children worked on the designs with architects, thought about how the building should look, and then helped bring it to life.
Asselborn-Bintz added that the wooden frame is already up, with windows installed, and more work will follow from wallpapering to curtains. In her words, the project allows children to try their hand at all the trades involved in building a house.
The philosophy behind the scheme is to show how small hands can achieve big things. By getting involved directly, children not only practice motor skills but also develop creativity, independence, and an appreciation for craft and sustainability.
The initiative comes from Upfoundation, a foundation that supports projects for children and young people, helping them prepare for the future through practical and creative activities. Director Ben Piret, one of the co-creators of the project, explained that it is built on two main pillars: a specific building project, such as the eco-friendly hut in Sanem, and a mobile workshop, the so-called Children's Toolbox, which will allow similar activities to be organised in other municipalities.
According to Piret, the children were enthusiastic and proud to take part, enjoying the chance to create something with their own hands outdoors rather than sitting in a classroom. He added that teachers also gave feedback, noting that some pupils with learning difficulties or who struggle to concentrate in school had discovered entirely new skills and talents in this hands-on environment that had never come to light in formal education.
The mobile workshop will be developed together with the children. Once ready, municipalities across Luxembourg will be able to sign up and run their own construction projects with young participants.
