“Co-working” spaces were born to offer a shared workspace equipped with all the necessary infrastructure and services to carry out one’s activities: we are talking about desks, chairs, internet connection, printers, meeting rooms, coffee, etc. However, starting from abroad, the trend is expanding to offer services and experiences that look not only at the strict requirements of productivity but also at leisure time and personal care. An innovative way to support true “smart” workers: those who operate not only from home but in any context they find themselves in, depending on their needs or the hours of the day. Yet, without losing a reference point or the sense of belonging to a community.

From Italy to abroad, companies that offer co-working and smart-working services are increasingly committed to creating a collaborative and stimulating work environment where professionals and freelancers can share ideas, skills, and resources. It is common to organize events and social activities to create a sense of community and foster interactions among the members.

Some of the extracurricular activities that can be organized in co-working spaces include workshops and seminars, networking events that allow members to meet other people in the co-working space, create professional connections, and identify potential collaboration opportunities, fitness and wellness activities, collaborative projects, and support services for personal and professional development (coaching sessions, training courses, or individual consultations to support the personal and professional growth of the members).

In a similar vein, for those who work in structured environments, team-building activities are proliferating. Especially after the pandemic, there has been an increased awareness of the importance of team cohesion and employee well-being for the success of a company. As a result, many organizations (including large ones) are investing in innovative extracurricular experiences (even during work hours) to engage people as part of a strategy to improve the work environment and increase overall productivity.

These activities often involve exercises, games, outdoor activities, or other experiences that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, idea-sharing, and building positive relationships among participants. The resulting benefits are diverse: an improvement in group dynamics and the establishment of a new corporate culture, increased motivation, the development of new skills, stress reduction, leading to improved performance, and employee retention.