"Reconnecting neighborhoods": pali pali's project selected for temporary occupation of the pacheco institute
Pali pali, a gas pedal of cultural, social and solidarity projects, has been chosen by the CPAS of the City of Brussels to organize the temporary occupation of the Pacheco site over the next two years. The plan is to create a "cultural and social third place" offering a wide range of community services and activities to residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and beyond.
In anticipation of the major renovation work required to create a housing and community services complex, the Brussels CPAS has decided to make the site available for an innovative project with a strong social and cultural focus, in line with the needs and aspirations of local residents. A call for projects was launched at the beginning of March. On this basis, the CPAS de la Ville de Bruxelles selected a project and appointed the site manager-coordinator.
The winner, Pali Pali, defines himself as a gas pedal of cultural, social and solidarity projects. With a wealth of experience, he manages and activates venues, accompanies projects and trains entrepreneurs. He recently developed the See U project in the former Ixelles barracks, the largest temporary occupation in Belgium, which brought together over 100 project leaders on the site.
A triple ambition
For its founder Edouard Meier, "the ambition is threefold: to bring together several complementary activities, to offer a mediation and welcome center for the neighborhood, and to demonstrate social innovation". Programming will revolve around seven social and cultural themes (solidarity, art & culture, education / health / sport, lab & innovation, sustainable development, social economy, living together / creating links), and will be subject to a call for projects.
A neighborhood project
The project led by Pali pali will open the site to the public, in particular the gardens, and will involve the surrounding neighbors and associations on a daily basis in order to create a real culture of proximity. This focus on co-construction is supported by key local players such as Jeugdhuis Chicago Maison de Jeunes, the Comité Alhambra, the Chicago back non-profit organization and the LD3 / Het Anker center, all of whom played an active role in the project's development. Other local partners will also be involved.
"With this in mind, the programming of the temporary occupation will be determined by a call for projects involving the associations and residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. To guarantee this collective and participatory dynamic, pali pali will identify the associations active in the neighborhood and the nature of their involvement in the project," explains Khalid Zian, President of the Brussels CPAS. In addition to this major project, the site will also be home to the DREAM project in two pavilions adjacent to the main building, focusing on the recovery of unsold food and its delivery to associations active in the field, as well as training modules for the Brussels-Ixelles police zone.
The full program will be announced shortly, and the opening of the gardens is
already scheduled for this summer.
Press contacts
Cabinet Khalid Zian : Florence Cabrera - 0475 48 50 54 - florence.cabrera@cpasbxl.brussels
Pali Pali: Edouard Meier - 0491 94 00 02 - contact@pali-pali.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Jeugdhuis Chicago Maison de Jeunes is one of the 8 youth centers of D'BROEJ vzw "BRuxelles s'Organise pour l'Emancipation des Jeunes". D'Broej vzw aims to contribute - by developing initiatives in free time - to the emancipation (both individual and collective) of children and young people from Brussels' most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Taking their environment and experience in Brussels' neighborhoods as our starting point, we aim to create spaces for positive experiences, in which young people's talents and skills can flourish.
Alhambra Committee The Comité de quartier Alhambra has set itself the goal of improving life in the neighborhood and defending the interests of residents and shopkeepers, not only vis-à-vis the authorities but also with regard to local residents themselves. It is behind the urban vegetable garden project at the intersection of Rue de l'épargne and Rue Saint Jean Népomucène.
Chicagoback is a solidarity project run by the residents of the "Chicago" district (with citizen initiatives) which came into being during the 1st confinement in 2020. Chicagoback organizes the distribution of food parcels and hot meals, as well as regular "marauding" operations and the distribution of clothing and blankets.
LD3 / Het Anker LD3 is a collective of three service centers with social economy accreditation, active in various Brussels neighborhoods, including Het Anker in the Béguinage district. LD3 asbl builds self-help, solidarity and participative neighborhoods in Brussels, to enable everyone to age successfully. A self-help neighborhood is not just created for the elderly; Het Anker also develops services that are at the service of all residents, such as its neighborhood restaurant.