Getting started in the craft sector is an exciting but demanding adventure. After all, project owners have to combine various skills and technical and professional expertise related to the craft in question. But between the idea and the launch of a business, these creative individuals can already count on a broad range of support. In this article, we provide an overview of the initiatives available in Brussels.
What counts as craftsmanship or artisan work?
Under Belgian law, an artisan is defined as “a self-employed worker or a business active in the production, transformation, repair, or restoration of objects, or the provision of services that require specific know-how based on quality, tradition and creativity.” Other definitions also emphasise that the activity must take place "outside of an industrial context".
Learning the craft: training for artisans
While some craft skills can be self-taught, most trades in the craft sector require specialised training and hands-on learning. Mastery of different techniques, careful selection of raw materials, and effective use of tools are all essential to creating a high-quality finished product.
There are various training opportunities in Brussels and elsewhere. Below, we give a few tips to help you find the right formula:
La cité des métiers
Not sure which direction to take in your career? Wondering which path suits you best, or which training matches your interests? The Cité des Métiers brings together all the key organisations in training, employment and education under one roof — helping you make informed choices about your professional future.
Bruxelles Formation
Bruxelles Formation is the public organisation responsible for vocational training in French-speaking Brussels.
The SIEP
The SIEP (Service d'Information sur les Études et les Professions) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to making information about studies, training, and careers accessible to all. It offers a comprehensive overview of a wide range of training courses available in Brussels and beyond.
The Efp
The efp is a vocational training centre for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through its “chef d’entreprise” (business owner) programme, you can follow professional training while developing the skills needed to manage a small business. On completing this work-based learning course, you’ll gain access to your chosen profession (where applicable). In short, it gives you all the foundations you need to start your own business.
Learning from peers and building your network
Fablabs
Short for 'Fabrication Laboratories', FabLabs are workshops open to the public, offering a wide range of resources, including computer-controlled machines for producing objects. These labs are highly sought after by entrepreneurs, designers, enthusiasts, students and hackers. They are the ideal place for exchange and collaborative creation, resulting in a wide range of products.
A FabLab is also an ideal place to train in technical skills, learn how to operate 3D printers, woodworking machines, laser cutters or sewing machines, etc. We are fortunate that the Brussels-Capital region boasts a good offering of FabLabs.
The following FabLabs are already operational:
- The Micro Factory is located in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean and is accessible 24/7 for the most enthusiastic craftspeople. This FabLab is dedicated to the wood, metal, digital manufacturing, electronics, screen printing and textile sectors. It also offers private storage and work areas.
- Housed within the premises of Greenbiz.brussels and created by Citydev.brussels, Cityfab 1, the first public FabLab in Brussels, mainly focuses on sustainable and circular economy projects. Two further FabLabs have been launched at the Citydev sites: cityfab 2 on the Da Vinci site in Evere, which focuses on industrial activity and virtual reality, and cityfab 3 on the Cityline site in Anderlecht, which focuses more on modelling.
- Other FabLabs include iMAL, Fablab'ke, Openfab, Fablab ULB and Fablab VUB in Ixelles, Green Fabric in Forest, Fablab solidaire de Orange in Brussels City. Fablab Brussels in Anderlecht completes the offering.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE)
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a European entrepreneurial exchange programme that offers new entrepreneurs the opportunity to acquire or share knowledge and ideas about entrepreneurship with an experienced entrepreneur. The new entrepreneur will stay with the experienced entrepreneur for a period of between one and six months and will receive a monthly grant from the European Commission.
This programme is open to all sectors. Currently, just under 200 intermediary organisations participate in these exchanges, including 6 based in Belgium. Belgium is also among the top 5 countries welcoming the most new entrepreneurs.
Incubators and locations: strong foundations for your business
MicroMarché
MicroMarché, based in Anderlecht, sees itself as a social network offering a range of services, including renting office space from 40 to 80m² at affordable prices. Based on the principles of sharing and collaboration, MicroMarché also recycles waste as a source of new materials, creations and objects. Its collaborative and innovative approach makes it a prime location for a wide range of craftspeople.
Coopcity
Coopcity is a centre dedicated to social and cooperative entrepreneurship in Brussels. The organisation offers support programmes for entrepreneurs at every stage of their development, as well as workspaces. Various craftspeople have already used Coopcity's services, including Beer Food and a bakers' cooperative.
Brucenter
Brucenter, the network of public business centres in Brussels, also offers premises at attractive prices. Many craftspeople use this network to set up their offices, including an ironmonger at Euclides, a jeweller and art restorer at Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, jewellers at Village Partenaire and a porcelain workshop at La Lustrerie.
Test your business before launching as an artisan
For those reluctant to become entrepreneurs immediately, some alternatives allow you to transition into entrepreneurship while maintaining a safety net. We list a few of these below:
Business cooperatives
A business cooperative offers a structured and secure framework for developing your business as an entrepreneur. Firstly, prospective entrepreneurs can receive support in developing their business idea. Once they are ready, they can test their business for 18 months without a company number. This will allow job seekers and people receiving social benefits to retain their benefits while establishing a business. Once the trial period is over, you will be in a position to make an informed and final decision about whether to start your own business.
There are several formulas in Brussels:
- Job Yourself, through its cooperative Baticrea, supports everyone who wants to start their own manual activity in the craft, green trades, building and construction or home services sectors. You will then benefit from personalised sectoral support.
- L’Auberge Espagnole is a hub.brussels incubator that enables people who want to open a shop in Brussels to test their business project for three months at lower risk, lower cost, and in real-life conditions.
Payrolling: another way to test a business
This system enables you to get paid for the services you provide, either occasionally or regularly. For the duration of the service, you become an employee, similar to temporary work, but for your own business. This allows you to test the waters of entrepreneurship before fully committing to it.
Various organisations offer this type of service in Brussels, including Smart and Tentoo.
Occasional services
Would you like to test your product at a market or private sale? Are you an amateur craftsperson who takes part in your local Christmas market every year, although this is not your main activity? It's possible to do this as a private individual, completely legally, as long as it remains a one-off occurrence. All you have to do is declare your income as "occasional services" on your tax return. These services are taxed at 30%.
Starting as an artisan: launch your business with confidence
Whether or not you go through a test phase, one day you will have to decide whether to set up your own business or not. Before you take the plunge, find out about the different options available to you. Will you be self-employed or set up a company? If you set up a company, what form will it take? You will have many questions about setting up your business. Hub.info is here to inform and guide you. Remember to give us a call when you're looking for information or have a question.
Specific resources for craftspeople
Various resources have been put in place in recent years to help promote and recognise craftspeople.
La Journée de l’Artisan (Crafts Day)
Crafts Day is a national event organised by the FPS Economy which is open to all craftspeople in Belgium, and free to the public. It's a great showcase for craftspeople to put their work and creations in the spotlight. All the participating craftspeople are listed and available.
The "Artisan" label
This label gives craftspeople who apply for it legal recognition of their profession. It confirms that their business is authentic, while also highlighting the handiwork aspect of their craft. All requests for recognition can be submitted to the 'Artisan' commission of the FPS Economy. Since being set up in 2016, this label has already listed more than 1,700 craftspeople in Belgium. Brussels Economy and Employment currently includes this recognition among the approved Labels that testify to the unique skills of the individuals that have them.
Plan Artisan
Since January 2023, hub.brussels has set up a support plan for craftspeople in Brussels. The aim is to ensure they have more visibility and access to new sales channels via a multi-strand action plan:
- Strand 1: Creating a community of craftspeople
- Strand 2: Improving the visibility of craftspeople in Brussels
- Strand 3: Training and informing craftspeople via a support programme
- Strand 4: Exporting Brussels crafts abroad
- Strand 5: Valorising the federal label
- Strand 6: Making a commercial space available (see Auberge Espagnole)
To be kept updated on hub.brussels' initiatives within the craft sector, you can send your contact details to artisans@hub.brussels. or you can visit https://artisans.hub.brussels/.
Conclusion
Starting your own business is never easy, but there is plenty of support available to minimise the risks and ensure a smooth transition to entrepreneurship. As we have seen, the craft sector is no exception in this regard, and also benefits from programmes that are designed to boost its development. Don't hesitate to take advantage of them... and contact hub.info if you have any questions or require further information!