Belgium: Vivre et agir autrement à Péruwelz

About the local hosting organization

Our partner, La Poudrière, welcomes volunteers throughout the year to its community in Péruwelz, Belgium. This project is intended for people who would like to discover a different way of living together and take an active part in activities involving salvaging materials, reusing goods, growing vegetables and sustainable food practices. More than a volunteering placement, it offers a true immersion in a multicultural community built on sharing, solidarity and putting people first.A member of the Emmaüs movement, La Poudrière is a self-managed living and working community that seeks to explore an alternative to capitalism, overconsumption and individualism. It brings together around sixty people across several sites in Belgium, with a wide variety of backgrounds, ages, family circumstances, nationalities and beliefs.The community is based on pooling resources, everyone’s participation and collective decision-making on certain matters. Its purpose goes beyond collecting and reselling goods: it also aims to create a space where everyone can find their place, take on responsibilities and contribute to a shared project.Its economic model relies mainly on collecting, sorting, repairing, recycling and selling second-hand goods. These activities extend the useful life of many items while funding the community project. The Péruwelz site includes a sorting centre, a second-hand shop, a vegetable garden and an orchard.

Presentation of the programme

Volunteers take part in both the community’s reuse activities and its daily life. Tasks are varied and, wherever possible, adapted to each person’s abilities, interests and experience. Activities may include: - Collecting and receiving donated goods; - Sorting clothing, furniture, books, appliances and everyday items; - Cleaning, preparing and displaying items for sale; - Repairing or dismantling certain items; - Keeping the sorting centre tidy and organised; - Helping with the day-to-day running of the second-hand shop; - Welcoming visitors and helping them find their way around; - Assisting with sales and special events; - Maintaining shared spaces; - Working in the vegetable garden and orchard; - Planting, watering and tending crops; - Harvesting and processing fruit and vegetables; - Preparing meals and sharing everyday household tasks. Gardening activities vary with the seasons. Spring focuses mainly on preparing the soil and planting; summer on tending crops and harvesting; and autumn on processing produce and preparing for winter. Collection, sorting and sales activities continue throughout the year. The placement involves physical work, and some tasks can be dirty. Volunteers should be willing to work both indoors and outdoors, wear suitable clothing and contribute to a range of activities rather than focus on a single role. Taking part in community life is an essential part of the project. Volunteers temporarily join a community with its own history, daily rhythm, shared responsibilities and social life. The experience extends beyond practical tasks and includes living and spending time together. Shared meals, meetings, preparation for activities and informal conversations provide opportunities to meet people from very different backgrounds. This close contact can be deeply rewarding, but it also requires patience, a willingness to listen, flexibility and the ability to adapt. Volunteers are expected to respect the community’s rules, communicate openly when difficulties arise and contribute to everyday chores. Preparing a meal, tidying a shared space and washing dishes are all integral parts of the volunteering experience. The community’s weekday routine generally runs from **8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday**, with breaks and shared meals. This timeframe includes practical activities, meals and other aspects of communal life. A **community meeting takes place every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.** Volunteers are expected to attend, as it provides an opportunity to share information, discuss any difficulties and contribute to the life of the project.

About the accomodation

Basic accommodation is provided as part of the project. It reflects La Poudrière’s community spirit: facilities are functional, and volunteers should not expect hotel or holiday accommodation standards. Depending on the community’s arrangements and availability, some spaces may be shared with other residents. Volunteers are expected to look after their accommodation, help keep it clean and respect other residents’ privacy and need for peace and quiet. Living on site offers opportunities to get to know other community members and gain a deeper understanding of daily community life. Details about the room, bedding and available facilities will be shared with volunteers before their arrival.

About the food

Meals play an important role in daily life at La Poudrière. They are generally prepared and enjoyed together. Volunteers take turns helping to cook, set the table, clear up and wash the dishes. Depending on the season and harvest, some fruit and vegetables may come from the community’s vegetable garden or orchard. Cooking and sharing meals provide opportunities to connect with others and explore sustainable food practices, reducing waste and using resources responsibly. Volunteers should communicate any allergies, medically prescribed diets or other dietary requirements before arrival so that the community can assess whether these can be accommodated within its shared kitchen arrangements.

About the location

The community is located in **Péruwelz**, in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia. Péruwelz is a small French-speaking town near the French border, between Mons and Tournai, with Lille across the border in France. The town has shops, local services and a railway station. Train connections provide access to Mons and Tournai, with onward travel to other Belgian cities. The surrounding area combines rural landscapes with a cross-border setting, featuring villages, farmland, wooded areas and several former municipalities that now form part of Péruwelz. A knowledge of French makes communication and integration into the community much easier. Fluency is not essential, but volunteers should be willing to use the language and develop their skills throughout their stay.

About the leisure activities

Weekends are generally free, except when a special event or activity requires the community’s participation. The daily routine can be demanding, so this project is best suited to volunteers seeking a full immersion in community life and who are comfortable with a structured, shared routine. During their free time, volunteers can explore Péruwelz town centre, its shops and markets, and the surrounding villages. The area is particularly appealing to those who enjoy nature, walking and cycling. Nearby, **Bon-Secours Forest** is a cross-border natural area covering approximately 1,000 hectares. Its walking trails offer opportunities to discover the wildlife and plant life of the **Plaines de l’Escaut Nature Park**. The **Escale forestière** visitor centre and its **Promenoir des cimes** treetop walkway also provide an educational introduction to the forest ecosystem. The village of Bon-Secours is known for its **Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours Basilica** and wooded surroundings. The historic cities of **Tournai and Mons** are accessible by train and offer museums, cultural events, cafés, cinemas and a rich architectural heritage. The nearby border also makes it possible to explore northern France. Volunteers can also organise activities with community members, such as walks, games, outings, cooking sessions, cultural activities and intercultural gatherings.

Requirements

This project is particularly suited to someone who: - Is interested in community life and intercultural exchange; - Cares about reuse, recycling and sustainable food practices; - Is willing to take part in both practical tasks and shared community activities; - Respects people from very different backgrounds and with diverse beliefs; - Is prepared to undertake some physically demanding or dirty tasks; - Is self-reliant, punctual and open to dialogue; - Would like to improve their French; - Is comfortable with simple living and able to adapt to a demanding community routine. No specific professional qualifications are required. Motivation, curiosity, a willingness to listen and an eagerness to contribute matter more than previous experience.