Dear courageous commoners

Brussels has fully landed in autumn 🍂. And as the days get colder, the events at the Commons Hub seem to get cozier. We started sharing weekly potluck lunches with the community and offered our first Regenerative Friday meditation. Winter will feel warm at the Commons Hub 💫

September and October were filled with new encounters and exciting visits. The community is growing. We welcomed many new members and co-workers, also thanks to the Open Days, and many new creative partnerships are resulting in a dynamic and very diverse program. In this newsletter we look back, and we look forward to an exciting November program. Feel warmly invited to pass by!

Opening our doors for Brussels

On September 27th and 28th, we welcomed curious visitors to the Commons Hub with a diverse two-day program that showcased what we have to offer. Guests experienced everything from in-depth tech sessions to workshops on conscious human connection, leadership, and engaging commons games. Local cooperatives shared insights through presentations, and evenings were filled with deep belly laughter, thanks to stand-up comedy night.

A big thank you to Tournevie, BruPower, Commons Lab, Rebel, Psych&Potes, Citizen Wallet, Brussels Pay and Brussels Chuckles for co-creating the Open Days with us. And to Guil, Kris, Greg, Kevin, Lien, Liesbeth, Xavier, Leen, Gino, Vincent, Neil, Kat, Olivier, Larry, Koen, Friedger, Adina, Taron, Hans, Isabel, Timothée and Sinouhé for hosting workshops and bringing life to the Commons Hub!

Exciting visitors 🔥

Michel Bauwens on the history of the commons

During his short visit in Belgium, Michel Bauwens gave a lecture on the history of the commons and the importance of the commons, physical and digital commons, in transitioning to a more sustainable economy that respects our planetary boundaries. Michel is the founder of the Peer-to-peer Foundation, a knowledge commons, and has been researching the topic for many decades.

Watch the recording of his lecture here.

🍩 Doughnut economics

On Wednesday 25/10 RCR2 https://asblrcr.be and Donut Brussels organised a lunch with Kate Raworth, creator of the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries (aka Doughnut Economics), and co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab. The Doughnut Economy model is one of the key inspirations for building the foundations of the Commons Hub. You can read more about this work on their website, or you could pass by the Commons Hub and read the book in one of our couches. 🛋

🧘‍♂️ Momentum Facilitation and the IDG summit

On Thursday, October 17th, Momentum Facilitation hosted a watch party for the 2024 Inner Development Goals (IDG) Summit, held in Norway. While most are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the IDGs, are less widely known. The vision behind the IDGs is to foster a world where inner development unlocks humanity's potential to create a flourishing future for both people and the planet. This approach goes beyond personal growth; inner development is seen as a transformative force that empowers us to collectively tackle the pressing challenges of our time. At the Commons Hub, 20 facilitators and coaches gathered to engage deeply with the summit’s program.
The inner development framework👇🏾

🌳 Civic Square Birmingham

A groundbreaking project and an incredible example of moving needles in demonstrating neighbourhood-scale civic infrastructure for social, ecological, economic, and climate transition, is Civiq Square Birmingham. We had the honor to welcome them for a warm visit and conversation. If you want to read more about their work and their integration of the doughnut economy, they donated their handbook to the Commons Hub. Feel very welcome to come have a cup of tea in our couches to dive into this inspiring project. 🛋

Upcoming events

We publish all events on this calendar. If you register, you will receive an e-mail notification for every upcoming event.

Feel very welcome to become a member and enjoy priority access for using the space and receive discounts on the events happening at the Commons Hub.

Regenerative Fridays: first edition of the Movement Circles

📆 Friday Nov 8th -19:00 - 22:00 More info + register (language depending on participants)

A warm invitation to gather and to share what is alive in us through different ways of being together. We start the evening in circles, a circle for women, a circle for men, (and if we find a space holder a circle for non-binary and/or queer). The circles are open to anyone who is seeking connection and want to offer and receive support. After the circles, we dance. #mencircle #womancircle #wellbeing

💵 Brussels Pay breakfast for shop owners & market organizers

📆 Monday Nov 11th - 10:00-11:00:  More info + register 

Brussels pay, the new digital payment as a common for Brussels (that we are using at the Commons Hub) is organising their first get together with shop owners and market organizers. Please share the invite with your beloved local shops so that we could all have more places to spend our EURb!

🚙🐌Nudge30 - workshops

📆Tuesday Nov 13th - 20:00-22:00:  More info + register (workshop for citizens) (in French and Dutch)
📆 Wednesday Nov 14th - 9:00-11:00:  More info + register (workshop for professionals)(in French and Dutch)

Hoe kunnen we chauffeurs ertoe aanzetten om de limiet van 30 km/uur te respecteren? Kunnen we met kleine ingrepen het straatbeeld zo wijzigen dat sneller rijden geen optie meer is?

Comment pouvons-nous encourager (« nudge ») les conducteurs à respecter la limite de 30 km/h ? Pouvons-nous, par de petites interventions, modifier le paysage urbain pour qu'il encourage à respecter les limites de vitesse?

Workshop door Heroes for Zero, Johanna.be en Bruxelles Mobilité

🌙 Regenerative Fridays: guided meditation

📆 Friday Nov 15th - 19:00-21:00:  More info + register (language depending on participants)
📆 Friday Nov 29th - 19:00-21:00:  More info + register (language depending on participants)

Isabel and Mara invite you to a guided meditation in a warm, welcoming setting—perfect for slowing down before the weekend and finding a moment of silence and connection within. Afterward, we’ll share tea and offer a relaxed space for conversation and connection with others, if you feel inclined.

Impro Workshop - How to be horse?

 📆 Sunday Nov 17th - 11:00-12:00:  More info + register

A cardio and improvisation class with a crazy twist 💦 ​This is the ultimate becoming-a-horse workout that will carry you away to a far away kingdom - that is, your own. Holding your horse is not allowed in this workshop. The session is animated by award winning performance artist, singer and dancer Anna Lisa Greber.

European Peace Congress - Opening event & Kick-off

📆 Thursday Nov 21th - 19:00-21:00:  More info + register (English)
​As tensions rise around the world, we invite you to our opening event kick-off meeting of the ´European Peace Congress´ – a series of debates dialogues in 2024-2025 to revive the tradition of European peace-making: multilateral, inclusive, negotiated, emancipatory.

⭐️ Idealist Quarterly - Alternative futures

📆 Thursday Nov 28th - 18:00-21:00:  More info + register (language depending on participants)

Networking, talks and live music by Shivam. The Idealist Quarterly meetups are one of the most vibrant and dynamic ones in town! The topic of this edition is Alternative Futures. Feel invited!

Save the date for

🎄The Merry Kindmas vegan and eco-friendly Christmas market on 12-13 December. More info.

🕺🏼💃 Genesis Leadership program 24-25 January. More info and program

How to support the Commons Hub?

Join us at our space – whether you're a freelancer, a team, or an organization!

• Interested in a community-driven co-working space? We’d love to welcome you! Come by to try it out for a day or join us for our Friday community lunch. More info about memberships here.

• Need a meeting room for your team or an event venue? We’re here to make your gathering a great experience, offering the support you need to make it memorable for you and your guests. More info about our spaces.

Wishing you all well and looking forward to meeting you in the space! 🧡🌱

Connect with us via email hello@commonshub.brussels to continue the conversation! To stay up-to-date on our latest news and events, make sure to follow us on Lu.ma, LinkedIn, Facebook and Discord.