Human connection is one of the strongest antidotes to loneliness. Yet in an increasingly digital and individualistic world, we need spaces where genuine connection flourishes – gathering places beyond home and workplace. Munich is now creating exactly those spaces. Through "Zusammen.Halt" (Together.Held), global family-owned company Mars – maker of iconic brands like Snickers and Twix – is strengthening social cohesion and bringing people closer together. The Mars Wrigley Foundation is supporting two Munich-based initiatives with a combined $100,000 investment: Über den Tellerrand kochen München e. V. (Cooking Beyond Borders Munich) in Sendling and FLUX at the Pinakothek der Moderne.

FLUX launched in summer 2025 as an open gathering space in the outdoor area of the Pinakothek der Moderne – welcoming people of all backgrounds and walks of life, around the clock and free to all. British designer Morag Myerscough's vibrant installation merges art, architecture, nature, and community into a single vision: a place to pause, connect, and co-create, transforming public space into a stage for human encounter. The early results speak volumes: an estimated 150,000 visitors annually – from local residents and students to professionals, families, and art district tourists. With support from the Mars Wrigley Foundation, FLUX is now expanding its impact. Spring 2026 will bring a new irrigation system designed to nurture the landscape. Beyond aesthetics, this greenery tackles climate challenges – providing shade on hot days, cooling the air, and inviting people to linger. A barrier-free public drinking fountain will complement the vision: FLUX as a genuinely inclusive space, free from commercial obligation. Here, visitors refresh themselves, strike up conversations, find quiet moments – all within a model that harmonizes ecological stewardship, social openness, and shared experience. "We're proud to have created, alongside our four museums and artist Morag Myerscough, a cultural destination that welcomes everyone and fosters connection," says Dr. Markus Michalke, Chairman of the Pinakothek der Moderne Foundation Board. "FLUX is a freely accessible meeting place – a sanctuary of peace and freedom that transcends generations and cultures. This barrier-free access exists only through the generosity of our partners, and we're thrilled the Mars Wrigley Foundation is among them."

Food is a powerful connector – and Cooking Beyond Borders Munich e.V. harnesses that power beautifully. The organization brings together people with and without refugee or migrant backgrounds around the table, completely free of charge. When people cook together, something magical happens: genuine dialogue emerges, meaningful encounters unfold, and diversity becomes simply natural. Founded in 2017, the association has championed social inclusion and cross-cultural understanding ever since. Until now, the team traveled across Munich hosting cooking evenings, language cafés, and neighborhood gatherings in different locations. Today marks a turning point: the community is finally getting its own dedicated home in Munich-Sendling at Lindenschmitstraße 1. A Kitchen Hub is taking shape – complete with an open kitchen and generous communal table – co-designed by and for everyone who wants to participate. Within its 100 square meters, up to 40 people will gather for open cooking nights, creative projects, and intercultural celebrations that spark conversation and inspire collaboration. The philosophy is beautifully simple: keep barriers low, embrace open formats, welcome everyone. Opening spring 2026, this meeting place will become a canvas for the community itself – a space where people with and without refugee and migrant backgrounds collectively shape what happens next. "When we fund gathering spaces like this, we're investing in connection," says Carsten Simon, Managing Director of Mars Wrigley DACH. "These spaces only thrive when we build them together. As a company deeply rooted in the Munich region, we're proud the Community Connection Grant will help strengthen bonds and community right here – where we live and work."

www.flux-munich.com

www.ueberdentellerrand.org

www.mars.de