A Summer That Mattered
As always, Serve the City remained fully mobilised across Luxembourg throughout the summer. While summer is a time for many to recharge, it is also when vulnerabilities are exposed the most—a reality made even clearer by this year’s heatwaves. Extreme heat affects us all, but not equally: enduring extreme temperatures in an air-conditioned home with running water and a stocked fridge is a luxury many do not have. For those living in shelters or on the streets, this summer was particularly harsh.
1. A Record Mobilization in Response to Summer Needs
In response, Serve the City stepped up its operations across July and August. “We increased our projects and activities by more than 50% compared to last year,” notes the association’s director. “It was crucial for us to be on the ground supporting the most vulnerable.” From Street Teams and kids’ activities to neighborhood cleanups, volunteers took practical action where it mattered most. Overall, more than 30 team leaders and hundreds of volunteers stepped up to run sessions and keep the momentum going throughout the summer season.
2. Street Outreach and Cleanups: Addressing Social and Climate Emergencies
On the ground, that presence made a vital difference. Tom, who oversees cleanups and street teams, highlights the critical role of outreach during extreme weather: “These temperatures were a struggle for everyone, but especially for those in severe precarity. With nowhere else to go, the practical support from volunteers—cold refreshments, hydrating drinks, and snacks alongside a listening ear—was essential.”
Meanwhile, as eco-anxiety grows, neighbourhood cleanups offered a tangible way to act, pulling kilos of trash and thousands of cigarette butts off Luxembourg’s streets while building community bonds.
3. Bringing Hope and Comfort to Families in Shelters
Inside Luxembourg’s shelters, summer brings a different set of challenges. Licia, who manages programs for refugees, points out how demanding shelter life can be year-round: “Between past trauma, overcrowding, and uncertainty about the future, integration is a long road.” When schools close for the summer, the feeling of isolation deepens. “This year, we focused heavily on children to give them a real breath of fresh air.” Through afternoons of football, badminton, drawing, and even pop-up cinema sessions inside the shelters, volunteers turned empty days into moments of pure joy, helping kids build happy memories to share when returning to school.
The summer heat is fading, but the two emergencies exposed this season—a warming planet and vulnerable neighbours—are not going away. As we step into a new season, we need more hands and more hearts on the ground.
Join us today: Become a volunteer or step up to lead a project. With just a few hours a month, together we can ensure that no one is left behind!
