The Institute for Autonomy is a newly occupied social centre in central London. Created in a disused university building in a city where house & rent prices continue to climb far out of the reach of the majority, it has lain empty and forgotten for over 5 years.
The Institute for Autonomy aims to be an open space for daily development towards autonomy. It is organised by open assemblies, and it is formed by a collective of people of different backgrounds and experiences. They state that "it’s vital for us to create a space where a different reality can be experienced, where new paths can be walked, along which can emerge common action, interest and identity amongst people".
The Centre is at 76-78 Gower Street, London WC1, and opened to the public on Saturday 19th March with a party that included films, music, cafe zapatista, info-shop and kids space.
Other ongoing projects and activities in the centre include: a library, a printing workshop and banner making, fortnightly Precarity Info/Sharing, regular film nights, a solidarity kitchen that opens three lunch-times a week, and a Cafeteria Rebelde.
See also: Advisory Service for Squatters | Wombles Social Centres Page | Squat.net