Participating in the voluntary sector

There are associations in every field: professional, social, cultural, humanitarian, philosophical… Their main purpose is as a meeting place, a forum for ideas, a school for learning responsibilities and principles of democracy.

The voluntary sector is increasingly recognised by the public authorities in the establishment of a dialogue with civil society. It is not possible to name-check all the associations in the Brussels-Capital Region here. We limit ourselves to a survey of some of the main trends, specifically in the domain of citizenship and living together.

Intercultural dialogue

Instituting a dialogue between cultures is a priority in the Brussels-Capital Region. The aim is to promote the integration of immigrants into society and guard against discrimination. With this in mind, associations play a dominant role in establishing links between the various communities in Brussels.

The Centre Bruxellois d'Action Interculturelle promotes intercultural relations in the Region and in Belgian society. The organisation’s website publishes information on activities and a directory of associations.

Avenue de Stalingrad 24, 1000 Brussels
Phone: +32 (0)2 289 70 50
Email: info@cbai.be
Online: www.cbai.be (FR)

Neighbourhood associations

Two associations, one French speaking and one Dutch-speaking, are active in the life of the Region:

IEB - Inter-Environnement Bruxelles: a federation of almost 80 French-speaking neighbourhood committees and specialised groups in such fields as environment, mobility and urban development in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Centre Euclides
Rue du Chimiste 34-36, 1070 Brussels
Phone: Tél. : +32 (0)2 801 14 80
Email: info@ieb.be
Online: www.ieb.be (FR)
BRAL - Brusselse Raad voor Leefmilieu: an independent network of residents committees and active residents who work for the urban environment in the widest sense in the Brussels-Capital Region, including environment, mobility, urban development and urban renewal.

Place du Samedi 13, 1000 Brussels
Phone: +32 (0)477 26 93 14
Online: www.bralvzw.be (NL)

Voluntary work in an association

For French speakers

The Association pour le Volontariat is a pluralist organisation coordinating and promoting voluntary work that brings together almost a thousand associations in Brussels and Wallonia.

Rue Royale 11, 1000 Brussels
Phone: +32 (0)2 219 53 70 02
Email: volontariat@swing.be
Online: www.volontariat.be (FR)

For Dutch speakers

Kenniscenrtrum W(elzijn) W(onen) Z(org) - Steunpunt Vrijwilligerswerk Brussel

Rue de Laeken 76, 1000 Brussels
Phone: +32 (0)2 218 55 16
Email: vrijwilligerswerk@kenniscentrumwwz.be
Online: www.kenniscentrumwwz.be/Steunpunt-Vrijwilligerswerk-Brussel (NL)

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

The Region is committed to pursuing a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunities (FR/NL). Special attention is given to a number of vulnerable groups, which constitute the target groups of the regional equal opportunities policy: men and women, disabled persons, persons of foreign origin and LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals).

What about young people?

In the section 'Participation of the Young' you can explore the voluntary sector and also find comprehensive information on movements and associations for young people.

Living in Brussels