Urban food artists' challenge hits Brussels

A new project has been launched to champion the best of Brussels' most creative and artistic talent. Residents have been challenged to come up an innovative idea that might help reinvent the way people in the city live.

It could be something that addresses the environmental issues facing Brussels. Or a cultural concept. Or maybe something that will help drive growth and employment.     Winners of the most creative ideas will get the chance to showcase their projects on the Belgian stand at Expo Milano 2015.

The first call for projects is based on the theme of ‘Brussels Urban Food 2025’. In other words: imagine how Brussels will produce, transform, communicate about, transport and eat food within ten years.

By choosing this particular theme the organizers hope the creative input from participants can be utilized to contribute to the issue of sustainable food in Brussels, a problem that is seen as being one of the biggest medium-and long-term problems facing the city.

The competition is organized by the not-for-profit ‘Creativity Call for Brussels’, an initiative spearheaded by Jean-Patrick Scheepers, the creator, and Carlo de Pascale of the ‘Mmmmh!’ cookery courses, a  Brussels entrepreneur who is passionate about food, sustainable food and urban agriculture.  Also involved is Charles-Antoine Benoit, a final year student at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management.

Jean-Patrick said: "By choosing this particular theme this year, the creative input from participants can be used to contribute to the issue of sustainable food in Brussels. This problem is actually one of the biggest problems facing us and deserves all the attention we can give it."

Céline Frémault, the Brussels government minister who is responsible for housing, quality of life, environment and energy, is among those backing the initiative. She says that there has “never been a greater need for creativity” in order to find solutions for today’s environmental challenges.

Food and agriculture are responsible for an estimated17% of all greenhouse gas emissions in both Belgium and in Brussels. Some 25% of the environmental impact of the inhabitants of Brussels Capital Region is related to food.     Jean-Patrick declares, "We hope that new ideas will be a trampoline for projects that will help build the more environmentally-friendly city of tomorrow."

He believes that a region like the Brussels Capital Region has to "constantly re-invent" itself so that it can "provide inspiration" for other national and international cities.

However, as he acknowledges, doing this on a daily basis is no easy task. Creativity and innovation, he says, are two "excellent tools" for bringing about these changes and in the constant quest for improved dynamism.

"In spite of the resources currently invested in this by public authorities, we think that we as citizens can also make a contribution and (re)appropriate part of this dynamism for ourselves."

Jean-Patrick says that participation of residents via the ‘Creativity Call for Brussels’ is but one way of helping give Brussels a boost by tapping into the abundant creativity of its residents and opening the way to sustainable and positive change.

Support for the project comes from the wide range of academic authorities and partners such as the Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management and the CAD or Mad Brussels.

The Urban Farm Company, an urban agricultural project consultancy, is also supporting the venture along with Brussels-Capital Region and visit.Brussels.        Jean-Patrick adds, "This level of support demonstrates that this initiative hits the nail right on the head and generates awareness among the different stakeholders within the region.

"We believe that using the power of collective intelligence to arouse and create awareness among the people of Brussels about the current problems is an irrefutable asset and this ‘urban brainstorm’ is the best way of reaching our objective." A visit.Brussels spokesman said, "We think that by participating in this project, the people of Brussels can show their attachment to their region and desire to become first-line players in imagining and creating a modern city from a sustainable and innovative angle."

The first phase of the call for projects involves uploading online applications to www.creativity.brussels by 31 May. All that is needed to participate is one simple good idea. Participation is free and open to everyone, including citizens, companies and associations.

After receiving the applications the organisers will carry out a check to ensure that the criteria for eligibility has been met and a shortlist of 30 entries will then be drawn up. Three finalists will then be selected with the public themselves given a chance to vote during three events later this year: the temporary summer exhibition in the BIP; the Eat! Brussels 2015 festival and Brussels Week at Expo Milano 2015.

So, what's in it for the winners? Well, they will benefit from "strong visibility" in Brussels and the opportunity to follow a programme assisting them to transform their concept into a specific project, “a motor for growth and employment.”

They may also benefit from the professional assistance of Beci and greentech.Brussels in drawing up business plans so that they can participate in crowdfunding campaigns on MyMicroInvest.be.

The winning projects will also be presented on the Belgian stand at Expo Milano 2015 as part of the Brussels Week in September.

Jean-Patrick added: "Participants in this call for creativity do not need to draw up a complete business plan; all they need is a good idea. The desire to concentrate exclusively on one idea enables a larger number of people to participate so that we can discover some really creative and innovative ideas."

So, come on all you innovative souls out there. The message is this - do you have the capacity to come up with a good idea that will reinvent the way people in Brussels are able to feed themselves in the years ahead? If so, this could be just up your (urban) street.

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