To: info@coalitionclimat.be
Subject: Membership application – The Reef, a cohousing project in Jette (Brussels)
Dear members of the Klimaatcoalitie – Coalition Climat,
With this email, The Reef would like to apply for membership of the Coalition as a cohousing project.
Who we are
The Reef is a community of people organized as a non-profit association (ASBL/VZW).
Our common objective is to build a 21-unit cohousing project in Jette, in the
Brussels-Capital Region: a place where private homes are combined with shared
spaces, shared resources and shared decision-making. The project is now in its
final phase — 18 of the 21 units have found their future residents, and we are
completing the group with our last three members.
What we are doing concretely
We are convinced that housing is a climate issue — and rather than only
advocating for change, we are building it. Our project integrates, at both
collective and individual level:
- Energy: a passive-built project, heated with heat pumps, and organized as
an energy community, possibly with one or several shared batteries; - Water: rainwater capture and reuse (two 15,000-litre tanks), greywater
recycling from showers, sinks and washing machines, and recirculating showers; - Materials: sustainable building and insulation materials throughout the
project; - Biodiversity: green roofs, indigenous plants in the garden, and climbing
plants on the façades — our modest nod to a solarpunk future; - Sharing: mutualizing goods and equipment — cars, washing machines,
household devices — so that 21 households consume less, together.
Why we want to join
By joining the Coalition, we want to:
- add the voice of citizens who are not only asking for change, but building it;
- connect with, learn from and support the other organizations in the Coalition;
- help put sustainable, community-based housing on the climate agenda.
What we commit to
- As an immediate first step, we will take part together, as a group, in the
climate march on 11 October; - take an active part in the Coalition’s life: meetings, campaigns and
mobilizations; - share our practical experience — ecological building choices, energy
community, water reuse, pooling of resources, governance model — with anyone
who wants to replicate it; - open our project for visits and exchanges, so it can inspire similar
initiatives; - respect the Coalition’s charter and values, and fulfil the obligations of
membership, including the annual membership contribution.
How we work
Our working philosophy reflects the society we want to help build: we function
democratically and sociocratically (decisions by consent, organized in circles),
we welcome emotions as a legitimate part of collective life, we are open to the
outside world, ecology guides our choices, and we cultivate a “hack mindset” —
experimenting, repairing, learning by doing and improving as we go.
We would be honoured to join the Coalition and to contribute, with our hands and
our hearts, to the common fight against climate change. We remain at your
disposal for any further information, a visit of our project, or a meeting with
our group.
With warm and determined regards,
Manuel Pueyo
Team External – The Reef