In many organizations, communities are created with high expectations but members remain passive over time. Work Life Aargau (WLA) faces similar challenges in motivating their members and fostering genuine exchange. Despite technical infrastructure and thematic relevance, participation often stagnates. The study addresses how hosts can build belonging, stimulate active contribution and create a living community culture in which interaction and engagement become self-sustaining.

The research follows the Design Science Research (DSR) framework, combining theoretical grounding with practical insight from community experts. For the practical part, twelve in-depth interviews with hosts, facilitators, ambassadors technical experts and community members provided qualitative data on real activation, best practices and challenges. These insights were merged with established models from community theory, social network research and participation design to develop and validate a Community Hosting Guide. The result integrates evidence-based knowledge with hands-on strategies.

The study results in a comprehensive and practice-oriented Community Hosting Guide, offering concrete principles and tools to strengthen member engagement within WLA and similar organizations. The guide structures community activation into key areas, that build trust and identity, define roles and expectations, create meaningful interactions and maintain participation over time. For Work Life Aargau, the findings provide clear, actionable recommendations to enhance the platform’s vibrancy and connectivity. Hosts gain strategies to stimulate collaboration, recognize member contributions, and balance structure with freedom, which is a core tension in sustainable communities. The guide is directly applicable in practice and offers long-term value by supporting WLA in adapting their strategies, to develop a thriving ecosystem where members feel connected, active, and valued.