Call for social entrepreneurship projects: 2022 winners

The winning projects for the “Social entrepreneurship, economic transition lever” call for projects have been announced. The 8 projects chosen will each be awarded up to 80,000 Euros. In addition to the social dimension, many of these projects integrate an approach to circular and sustainable economy on the environmental level.

Discover the 8 projects

“Bike to nature” by La Ferme Nos Pilifs ASBL

The gardeners from La Ferme Nos Pilifs have been maintaining Brussels’ gardens for almost 40 years. The Bike to Nature project aims to adopt soft, multi-modal mobility for their teams’ daily commute. Thanks to electric bicycles and cargo bikes, the gardeners can move between the gardens they are responsible for upkeeping while contributing to the decluttering of the city and the reduction of air and noise pollution.

“Extraordinary Urban Vegetable Products” by Citeco ASBL

Citeco aims to increase Brussels’ food self-sufficiency by producing food items and supplies locally for communities. A home-based vegetable gardening service will cultivate lands in Brussels’ parks and gardens already maintained by the non-profit organisation. The types of crops will be selected based on the characteristics of each type of land and will enable participants to obtain a locally produced, diversified bio basket.

“Scaling social and circular temporary housing” by Communa ASBL

Since 2013, Communa has facilitated the temporary use of empty buildings in order to enable housing initiatives and social purpose projects to find spaces to be developed. Each building forms an ecosystem of economic partners where the diversity of uses creates a model of solidarity-based third locations. This project aims to develop and systematise this approach by supporting the growing activity of the non-profit organisation.

“Bruxel-Art” by Casablanco ASBL

This project targets the creation of a cooperative for independent artisans and workers in the construction sector. An organisational structure for the joint management of production and sales methods, administrative and general services, and marketing, will be developed. The project will enable meeting the growing trend for flexibility and diversification of statutes researched by young creative artisans and to limit the intermediaries that often constrain them.

“Launch of Farmer Production Tools” by Fabriek paysanne ASBL

Establishing a need for shared tooling among numerous farmers, Fabriek paysanne ASBL is proposing the creation of a line of farmer production tools with this project. Its launch and marketing in 2024 will enable the creation of sustainable jobs and strengthen the farmer network.

“Aprekweenz” by APRE services ASBL

The APREKWEENZ project consists of creating and operating a laundromat of reusable cups and reusable food containers that is socially and environmentally responsible. The project brings together:

• APRE Service whose mission is to socio-professionally integrate disabled people disadvantaged in the mainstream labour market;
• Rekwup which rents and sells reusable cups at high ecological, human, and economic standards;
• Biogreenz which offers biological, sustainable, sensible and local food.

Sociale WoonCoöperatie (SWC) by De overmolen ASBL

The Sociale WoonCoöperatie (SWC) (Social Housing Cooperative) project combines the methods, principles and target groups from social housing and cooperative housing. Both vulnerable individuals as well as those from lower classes will be ensured access to quality housing in Brussels neighbourhoods that are undergoing upgrades but are threatened by gentrification.

“Brupower – Coopérative d’énergie citoyenne” [Brupower – Citizen Energy Cooperative] by Brupower SC

Brupower is a citizen’s energy cooperative that manages, produces and supplies energy to Brussels-based households by supporting them in sustainable consumption. The cooperative model targets production in accordance with the environment, managed collectively and democratically, and generates a positive societal impact.