Since 2008, about thirty neighbourhoods in Brussels have joined the Citizen Sustainable Neighbourhoods Movement".
What is a citizen sustainable neighbourhood?
In a "Citizen Sustainable Neighbourhood", the inhabitants work in their neighbourhood to make it more pleasant, more environmentally friendly and more solidarity oriented.
Developing a forgotten public space, bicycle parking area, collective hive, local exchange systems, donation systems, a repair café, street plantations, all these initiatives help to make Brussels a more sustainable city.
Each neighbourhood has its own dynamic, but all of them, on the scale of their territory, try to tackle several challenges: reduce waste, protect urban biodiversity, reduce traffic pressure, encourage healthier eating, re-appropriate public spaces, live together more harmoniously, focus on intergenerational usage, reintroduce mutual support on a daily basis and at times of crisis (heatwaves, pollution peaks), including with people who are isolated or in difficulty, etc.
Stronger together
Acting is good. Acting together is better! Therefore, above all, the dynamics of a citizen sustainable neighbourhood is collective. It involves the mobilisation of inhabitants, but also real collaboration with local partners (municipalities, associations, schools, housing societies, cultural centres, rest homes, etc.). The call for projects invites all these stakeholders to come together around a sustainable neighbourhood project and common initiatives.
Which support does Environment Brussels offer?
The "Citizens Sustainable Neighbourhoods" call for projects encourages and supports inhabitants who commit to their neighbourhood by developing collective actions in favour of the environment and sustainable development.
Support towards sustainable autonomy
The citizens' groups are supported in their approach by
assistance from professionals who monitor projects, support them and stimulate them over several months. The support is temporary and aims to provide the know-how so that the projects can then take off on their own.
In order to implement some of their projects (not all require funding), the neighbourhoods have the opportunity of submitting their projects to the
participative budget for financial assistance.
Together, each one at their own pace
Neighbourhoods are free to advance at their own pace, although they do have to respect
key steps : increase mobilisation in the neighbourhood, carry out an inventory, collectively develop and implement projects of collective interest, evaluate.
Who is targeted by the call for projects?
- The call for projects initially targets groups of inhabitants and/or users of a neighbourhood, resident committees and neighbourhood committees, but also private and public stakeholders in a neighbourhood.
- All neighbourhoods in Brussels are free to apply - including those which were already selected during previous calls for projects.
strong>???The pilot group "Citizens Sustainable Neighbourhoods" generally comprise a small group of several people referred to as the "
pilot group". This is the driving force for the initiative: it draws up the initial project definitions and is at the heart of the collective development of actions. It is the guarantor of the good progress of the process and its coherence in association with all of the other stakeholders involved.
How to participate?
You can submit your application once a year, via the "Citizens Sustainable Neighbourhood" option of the call for projects
"Inspiring the Neighbourhood, the call for projects for collective citizens' initiatives".
Once your application has been accepted, you may call upon the services of a coach to support you in the preparation of your projects.
Outside of this call for projects, you can always contact us to see how we can help you with your projects.
?The neighbourhoods which have joined the movement can submit their projects to the participative budget for CSN for financial support - further information
in the BP regulations
