ODB
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About the project
ODB
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Our partner association is located in a park known in the 19th century for its world- renowned monumental greenhouses, 30km south of Brussels. So impressive in 1828, that its landscape architect went on to design the magnificent Botanique in Brussels. We created a "third place" in the park, where the orangeries that framed the largest greenhouse still stand. Today, it is a place where creativity, reflection, exchange of knowledge, sharing of experience and solidarity - both local and international - come together. On site, we organize residencies for researchers and artists, concerts, exhibitions, screenings, workshops, meetings with the public, performances, permaculture initiations, etc. Also because "poetry is a weapon charged with the future" (Gabriel Celaya). And because permaculture is the key to linking aesthetics with the new pages of agriculture, ecology and social issues.
💼 What the programme involves
The role of volunteers:
Volunteers are invited to take part in a range of activities linked to:
● the introduction to and the management of a historic permaculture park (vegetable garden, biodiversity, etc.);
● organizing cultural activities;
● the animation of our social network;
● the participatory eco-construction workcamp;
● the research into the fascinating history of our site: the mysterious appearance and disappearance of monumental greenhouses in the 19th century;
● the digitization of the Serge Pahaut book collection, a famous Belgian mythologist;
● the work on the archives of Paul van der Belen, pioneer of peace volunteers for international cooperation.
🏠 Accommodation on site
There are two options for accommodation:
A/ in a room with a shared bathroom;
B/ from spring onwards, light accommodation in the middle of the park (caravan, tent), dry toilet, solar shower.
🍲 Food
For food, there are also two options:
A/ volunteers are fed by the hosts (included in the participation fees);
B/ volunteers have a kitchen at their disposal and manage their own meals.
📍 About the location
The park known today as the Orangeries de Bierbais is located in Hévillers, a section of the commune of Mont-Saint-Guibert, in the Walloon Region of the province of Walloon Brabant in Belgium. Until the late 1980s, the Orangeries de Bierbais were part of the Château de Bierbais park. In the 19th century, this 2.5-hectare part of the park was home not only to a collection of remarkable fruit and ornamental trees, but also to internationally renowned monumental heated greenhouses, the Bierbais greenhouses, within
English-style gardens designed by landscape architect Charles-Henri Petersen, who lived in Bierbais until his death in 1859.
⚠️ Requirements
The project allows you to speak either French or English. You will meet people from all over the world so English will often be the language used.
🤝 Meeting point
21, Boucle des Métiers, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Arrival days are from Monday to Friday between 11am and 4pm. Outside these hours we recommend you to take a hotel room on your own.
To get to the meeting point you can take the train from the airport: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en.
ℹ️ Additional information
Total price for one month: 366€.
Project duration: 1 to 6 months.
Each additional month of stay will cost 150€.
Online French course for 10 sessions of 1h each: 180€.
Transportation: to and from the airport: 160€ (variable price).
Food(hot meal): 8€/per day.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
📅 Available sessions
ODB_2023
01/03/2024 at 00:00 → 02/08/2025 at 00:00
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
366.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
Belgium
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 20:52 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken