Etterbeek’s municipal bond
A public daycare in Etterbeek
€1,199,000
total amount raised in round
- Backed by over 80 investors
This campaign ended
DISCLAIMER
Every investment decision must be based on an examination of an exhaustive set of information provided by the entrepreneur on their online profile. Spreds only proceeds to a limited verification of this information and does not control the investment opportunity within this company. Spreds did not verify the extent to which the business plan is deemed realistic and does not intervene in determining the final terms of the investment, including the retained maximum valuation. Spreds will align itself with the financial terms negotiated with the co-investor(s).
For several years, the early childhood care sector in the Brussels Region has faced numerous challenges. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of childcare centers decreased by 26 units, from 703 in 2019 to 677 in 2021, due to the closure of certain facilities. However, the total capacity has slightly increased by 252 places, reaching 20,807 in 2021. This increase is the result of opening new facilities and expanding capacity within some existing ones.
Despite these improvements, the coverage rate remains insufficient in most Brussels municipalities. In this context, the municipality of Etterbeek stands out as an exception with a coverage rate of 85% in 2021, well above the regional average of 44.99%. This success is the result of the hard work of the Mayor, who, with the support of the College of Mayor and Aldermen, has made early childhood policy a top priority.
To strengthen these results and ensure the well-being of children and parents, the municipality of Etterbeek aims to continue in this direction and save the Ste Geneviève nursery from closure. This nursery offers 49 beds but currently operates in unsuitable and energy-inefficient premises. It is essential for local families and also shares its space with another organization with different objectives.
In this context, we are launching a crowdlending campaign to finance the construction of new infrastructure for the nursery. Your support will help create a safe and suitable environment for children, meeting sustainability standards and contributing to the well-being of the entire community.
Join us in this crucial effort to make early childhood care a sustainable priority in Etterbeek.
The "Public Nursery" Project
The "Public Nursery" project aims to construct a new building to house the Ste Geneviève nursery. Currently located on Avenue Eudore Pirmez, the nursery occupies premises belonging to the Diocese of Brussels-Mechelen, which are no longer suitable for a nursery. Additionally, the space is shared with another association with no common goals.
The municipal intervention has already saved the nursery from closure and preserved its current 49 beds.
With the new premises, the nursery will benefit from modern, suitable, and energy-efficient facilities, capable of accommodating up to 56 beds. This capacity includes "Actiris" beds, which are places that can temporarily accommodate children whose parents are seeking employment or training for future employment.
The nursery will be built on three levels (ground + two floors) and will be topped by two apartments on the third floor, managed by the Etterbeek Housing Management and intended for rent at moderate rates.
Crédit: Vanthournout/IMPULS(E)
Technical Specifications
The project designers opted for simple and durable materials. The floating volume will be executed in white brick, making it even lighter. The recessed roof volume and garden façade will be covered with ceramic terracotta tiles. All exterior joinery and exposed steel will be finished in a bronze color.
The nursery will have a total area of 1,117 m². The ground floor, at street level, will feature a glass base to ensure the inclusive nature of the nursery and allow it to blend harmoniously with the street and its surroundings.
The building (nursery and apartments) will be exemplary in terms of sustainability and will meet the Brussels Passive standard, which means a Low Energy Building. The technical installations will be crucial in this regard, so the building will be equipped with heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.
The choice of sustainable materials will also ensure a long lifespan and reduced maintenance costs.
Heating
The entire nursery will be heated by underfloor heating, estimated to require about 30kW via a ground/water heat pump, which will need around fifteen thermal boreholes. Heat will be extracted from the ground by vertical pipes up to a depth of 80 to 100 meters. A high-efficiency heat pump will transfer the heat to the central heating water. A buffer tank will also be provided to store this heat. This technique of combining underfloor heating with a heat pump aligns fully with Etterbeek's goal of ensuring the use of sustainable energy-saving measures.
Hot Water
An external air/water heat pump will produce hot water by heating a large buffer tank of 500 liters to 40°C, ensuring that there is always enough hot water.
Ventilation
To ensure healthy indoor air quality, a type D ventilation system with heat recovery and permanent monitoring by sensors has been chosen. This will ensure that there is always sufficient hot water. Good ventilation and CO² monitoring are extremely important for a healthy building and living environment. A first estimate indicates a flow rate of 10,000 m³/h for the entire building.
Management System
The regulation and monitoring of the entire HVAC system will be possible remotely via a central management system, aiming for minimal energy consumption. Control will be done using digital controllers, meeting the following requirements:
- Weather-based control
- Time schedules
- Optimization program
- CO² recording and airflow control in different rooms.
Electrical Installation
The electrical installation will be designed to have minimal consumption. All lighting will be LED type. The fire station, elevator, and access control will also be part of the installation.
Photovoltaic Panels
To offset some of the electricity consumption of the heat pump installations, a photovoltaic system will be installed. Consumption will mainly occur during the day so that the production from the panels can directly serve the electricity needs of the ventilation group and heat pumps. No energy surplus will be injected into the grid.
Sanitary Installation
A complete sanitary installation will be provided with PE pipes. Distribution pipes are always insulated. This includes rainwater recovery for toilets, as well as necessary hose reels and fire extinguishers.
Timeline
- The project was initiated in 2021 as part of the major Jardins de la Chasse project, which already houses the Etterbeek town hall.
- The 2011 master plan for the site initially included a nursery.
- A design & build contract was awarded at the end of 2021 to Schoofs, in association with architecture firms Impuls(e) architects and VanThournout.
- The building permit was issued on 31/10/2023.
- The construction started in May 2024 and will last until the end of January 2026.
- Childcare is planned to start at the end of February 2026.
Project Objectives
- Ensuring the sustainability and expansion of early childhood care in the municipal area.
- Improving infrastructure to provide a modern, comfortable, and child-friendly environment.
- Continuing the municipality's low-carbon policy by creating a Low Energy Building that will be exemplary in terms of sustainability.
Estimated Costs and Sources of Funding
The construction of a new public nursery on the Jardins de la Chasse site is estimated at €4,608,145.76 (excluding price revision and settlement).
The funding sources are divided as follows:
- The balance of operations carried out by the Housing Management (Régie foncière/Grondregie) in the amount of €1,548,000;
- A loan from the Brussels Regional Fund for the Refinancing of Municipal Treasuries (Fond Régional Bruxellois pour le Refinancement des Trésoreries Communales/ Brussels Gewestelijk Herfinancieringsfonds van de Gemeentelijke Thesaurieën) for €2,523,794;
- Raising funds through the present offer (citizen's loan) for a maximum amount of €1,200,000.
Carbon Budget
For the past four years, the municipality of Etterbeek has been firmly committed to reducing carbon emissions, in line with the European Union's carbon neutrality goals by 2030. A comprehensive action plan, including 18 key measures, has been implemented to sustainably manage human resources, mobility, economic life, and the renovation of public buildings.
Participatory Financing Organization
To ensure the implementation of low-carbon actions, the municipality of Etterbeek diversifies its sources of funding and invites citizens to invest directly in local projects with a positive climate impact. This crowdlending campaign will therefore be primarily accessible to residents of Etterbeek, before opening to anyone domiciled in Belgium and legal entities with corporate seat in Belgium.
The Municipality of Etterbeek
Etterbeek is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, located southeast of the city. It has nearly 50,000 inhabitants, representing 4% of the Brussels population. In 10 years, the population has increased by 7%, mainly due to international migration. Indeed, Etterbeek has 50% foreign nationals, of which nearly 3/4 are of European nationality.
The share of the active municipal population is 72%, and the employment rate is 62%. The proportion of employees among workers is estimated at 52%, and the median income is €17,809. The share of beneficiaries of the increased intervention is around 18.2%.
Join Us
Actively participate in the realization of this crucial project for the community and the environment. Together, we can offer our children a better future in suitable and modern infrastructure while contributing to reducing carbon emissions.