Families on the Move – Capoeira and Intergenerational Transmission

The “Families on the Move” project offers a series of workshops for families in Lausanne (children ages 4–15, parents, and grandparents) to strengthen family and intergenerational bonds through fun physical activities and opportunities for interaction. Each session combines movement, story-sharing, and a friendly snack, fostering camaraderie, cooperation, and well-being.

Families in Lausanne with children ages 4 to 15, their parents, and grandparents. Open to all families, with a special focus on isolated families, single-parent families, or those who have recently moved to Lausanne.

In Lausanne, many families are looking for simple, accessible activities to spend time together, relax, and strengthen their bonds. Today’s fast-paced lifestyles and the diversity of family situations—including single-parent families, blended families, newly arrived families, or those with limited resources—often limit opportunities for parents, children, and grandparents to spend time together. The “Families in Motion” project was born out of this observation. It offers a space where multiple generations can come together around gentle physical activity and a moment of warm interaction. Through playful movement games and exercises inspired by capoeira, families learn to cooperate, communicate, and have fun together. Each session concludes with a time for intergenerational sharing, during which grandparents share stories, memories, or family values, thereby fostering respect, active listening, and curiosity across generations. These exchanges are followed by a friendly snack that strengthens the bonds among participating families. The project represents a concrete opportunity to promote family cohesion, well-being, and solidarity among Lausanne residents. It emphasizes community living, the active participation of every generation, and the creation of a network of families who share moments of joy, balance, and togetherness. Project Objectives - Create quality time between children, parents, and grandparents. - Strengthen family bonds through gentle, playful physical activity. - Value intergenerational learning and mutual listening. - Foster a sense of community and social inclusion among Lausanne families. - Promote family well-being and relaxation. Description of Activities The project consists of six weekly 2-hour sessions (February–March 2026): - 1 hour: “Families in Motion” workshop—physical games, coordination exercises, parent-child pair activities, and playful activities inspired by capoeira. - 30 min: Sharing of stories and life experiences led by older adults (grandparents or invited seniors). - 30 min: A friendly snack break to encourage interaction among families. A closing event in April 2026 will wrap up the project with a gathering of Lausanne families. Our association aims to offer families in Lausanne a simple, joyful, and supportive space to come together. Through our experience in facilitating activities and group work, we’ve seen just how much families need shared moments outside of school or work. With the “Families on the Move” project, we want to do our part to strengthen intergenerational bonds, give voice to the elderly, and create positive shared memories between parents and children. We firmly believe that movement, play, and active listening are powerful tools for fostering family cohesion and collective well-being.

A neighborhood center or privately rented space in Lausanne 1004, suitable for the activity and accessible by public transportation.

December 2025 – January 2026: preparation, outreach, registration February – March 2026: 6 weekly sessions April 2026: closing event May 2026: evaluation and report to the BLF

4,000

- Neighborhood centers and sociocultural organizations in Lausanne (1004) - Lausanne Seniors Network or local nursing home - Family associations or parenting support groups