[yobbo]

> Perhaps maker spaces are born of a similar ethos

There are strains of ideas and phenomena here that are probably not decipherable to outsiders. Applying for subsidies for "study circles" would be considered as abuse of the system or even fraudulent in some circles. In other circles, receiving any subsidy from the government is considered justified and right by default.

Its effect on economic development is probably negligible (but how would you determine that?). It can rather be viewed as one of many tolerated ways of receiving money in exchange for the effort of doing the paperwork.

It's a phenomenon that looks different to different people.