Hêbê: The Brussels Way of Life!
Since its creation (21 March 2008), the association Hêbê has had a clear ambition: To make the European dream come alive in Brussels!
Brussels hosts the biggest European community in the world. Attracted by the opportunities generated by the European institutions, young professionals come to Brussels as stagiaires with the desire to have a European way of life. But, although people experience a truly European professional life, they do not have always a lively European social network.
Starting from this observation, we decided to create an active European social network in Brussels by developing extra-professional activities inside the Expat community and building a bridge between the Expats and the Belgians.
To achieve these objectives, we decided to focus on projects and to provide a basis for them. Hêbê stimulates the generation of ideas and supports their implementation by providing a legal framework, a financial incentive, a communication support and an established network of volunteers.
In 2010, Hêbê has already established itself as an important project platform for Expat in Brussels, with a network of 1000 people, of which 400 are Hêbê Members. The association currently runs a theatre group, a football league, a debate forum and a traveller group. Hêbê also organizes parties and proposes a monthly get together for members and non-members with live band music in a cosy bar.
Step by step Hêbê is working on bridging part of the gap between Expats and Belgians. The grant awarded by the King Baudoin Foundation to organize a football tournament between the Hêbê League and the COCMES league (commune of Jette) was a major recognition of our efforts. Hêbê also took part in the Brussels Dialogue Day organized by the asbl Foyer which aimed at bringing the people of different socio-economic backgrounds together around discussion tables.
In 2011, Hêbê intends to keep growing with new and promising projects, an increasing network of Hêbê volunteers and active sponsors. The exciting mix of heritages, people and the common wish to have a European way of life makes Brussels a great place to live. Together, Locals and Expats, Eurocrats and Artists, we make the European dream come alive in Brussels and, in the long run, we can make it happen in many cities all over Europe.
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