LA POUDRIÈRE BRUXELLES

Name La Poudrière Bruxelles

 Location Brussels Dates Medium or long-term project.

Min. 1 month, preferably 2-3 months, max. 1 year.

From September to June, but also possible in July and August. No farm in winter

Type SOCI – MANU

Age 18+

Volunteers 1 or 2 volunteers at a time

Fees 1-month program: 287€ 2-month program: 387€ 3-month program: 487€ This project may be free of charge if there is a partnership agreement between the association and SVI. The conditions (participation fees, visa, accommodation, food, dates and cancellations) are subject to change.

Presentation of the partner La Poudrière is a community founded in 1958 in Brussels, offering an alternative way of life based on shared living and working experiences. The community practices radical resource-sharing, including income, time, and skills, with the aim of fostering a fair and inclusive society. Main Objectives of La Poudrière Presence: Actively engaging in society, living and working alongside local residents, and participating in the life of the neighborhood and city. Friendship: Building deep and sincere relationships based on mutual respect and support, especially with those who feel isolated in a big city. Justice: Striving for social justice, fighting poverty and inequality, and providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. Utopia and Hope: Believing in the possibility of creating a better world and actively working to bring this vision to life. Simplicity and Self-Development: Focusing on essential needs, avoiding excess, and striving for personal growth and self-awareness. The community sustains itself economically through second-hand recycling and reuse activities. La Poudrière manages second-hand stores in Brussels, Anderlecht, and Péruwelz, selling furniture, clothing, books, electronics, and other goods. This work not only supports the community financially but also promotes sustainable consumption and environmental conservation. Life in the community is structured around work and leisure, shared meals, fostering close connections and a family-like atmosphere. Members share responsibilities for daily tasks, including cooking, cleaning, and maintenance. Free time is filled with group activities, celebrations, and discussions aimed at strengthening friendships and understanding.

Volunteer work Renovation, repairs, plumbing, electricity, building maintenance, and second-hand sector. Management of second-hand electronics: testing, stocking, selling, preparing, displaying, labeling, and cleaning. Common tasks: kitchen duties, weekly cleaning, preparing lunch once every two months, unloading trucks. Farm work: gardening, orchard maintenance, weeding, harvesting, feeding the wood boiler, and taking care of animals (chickens, pigs).

Accommodation Volunteers are provided with free accommodation in a private room with shared bathroom and toilet facilities.

Food Meals are included: three communal meals per day during weekdays. If specific food or supplements are required, personal purchases to be made by the volunteer. On weekends, volunteers have access to the kitchen and ingredients to prepare their own meals. Language Sufficient knowledge of French.

Meeting point Rue du Poirier, 8, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Arrival days are from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside these hours, we recommend you to take a hotel room on your own. To get to the meeting point you can take the train from the airport: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en.

Nearest airports: Zaventem Airport (Brussels Airport) – 14 km Brussels South Charleroi Airport – 60 km Nearest train station: Central Station - 200 m

Location The community is located in Brussels, with some activities taking place on a farm in Flanders and in a large second-hand store in Wallonia.

About Brussels Brussels is not only the Belgian capital but also the European capital. The city combines the characteristics of a large city with the charm of smaller, quieter towns. Modern with a classical touch, the streets of Brussels are full of charm and history. Brussels can be visited on foot, by bike, but also by horse-drawn carriage. No, the people of Brussels do not eat fries every day. That said, they are still proud of their Belgian fries stands, and there can be a queue of people outside the best ones at all hours. A very cosmopolitan city, Brussels offers a range of different cuisines from around the world scattered throughout the city.