What Le Silex asbl does

Le Silex asbl (A.S.B.L. Le Silex) is a Brussels-based non-profit association founded in September 1970, headquartered at Rue Voot 82-86 in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. It operates as a Centre d'Éducation permanente and Centre d'Expression et de Créativité (CEC) recognized by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, with additional institutional support from the Commission communautaire française (Cocof) and the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. The organization serves approximately 350 adult members, primarily adults with intellectual disabilities alongside non-disabled adults, delivering permanent education activities around citizenship, culture, well-being, and environment, creative workshops, inclusive leisure activities, cultural events, and vacation stays.

The operating model combines direct service delivery at the Rue Voot facility and through off-site excursions with a community-led go-to-market approach: word-of-mouth, local press coverage, social media (Facebook, Instagram), partnerships with disability-sector organizations (Ricochet asbl, Inclusion ASBL, FESEFA, Incidence), and annual community events including Portes Ouvertes and the Fêtes Romanes. There is no proprietary technology stack; the organization is a people-intensive service provider relying on a team of approximately 15 employees (director, two coordinators, communications lead, secretary, maintenance staff, and eight part-time professional animators) supplemented by volunteers.

Revenue is diversified across four streams: recurring public subsidies from the three governmental backers, annual membership fees from 350 members, tax-deductible donations (fiscal attestation from €40), and the annual Opération Sapins Christmas tree and decoration sales operation, which in 2019 generated a record €153,250 profit from 4,934 customers and 420 volunteers and which Le Silex runs jointly with partner Ricochet asbl. No total annual revenue is publicly disclosed, and the organization has no parent company, no funding rounds, and no disclosed venture or institutional investment.

Name

Le Silex asbl

Legal name

A.S.B.L. Le Silex

Website

https://lesilex.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Le Silex asbl is a Brussels non-profit association founded in 1970 that runs an inclusive leisure, creative, and permanent education center serving approximately 350 adult members, primarily adults with intellectual disabilities, financed by public subsidies, membership fees, donations, and an annual Christmas tree operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Disability Inclusion

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Inclusive leisure services
• Permanent education center
• Creative expression workshops
• Disability social inclusion
• Community nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Christmas Tree and Decoration Sales (Opération Sapins): Annual Christmas tree and Christmas decoration sales operation running since the organization's founding. This is the primary fundraising activity covering significant operational costs. Customers purchase trees, decorations, and ornaments directly from the venue.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from 350 members who participate in activities.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Donations from individuals and supporters. Tax deductible donations of 40 euros or more receive fiscal attestation.
4. Public Subsidies: Support from Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Commission communautaire française (Cocof), and commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Le Silex asbl is a non-profit social organization operating a Centre d'Éducation permanente and Centre d'Expression et de Créativité (CEC) recognized by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. It delivers inclusive leisure, permanent education (citizenship, culture, well-being, environment), and creative workshop activities to approximately 350 adult members with or without intellectual disabilities. The association is sustained operationally through an annual Opération Sapins Christmas tree and decoration sale that serves as its primary fundraising activity.

Product overview

Le Silex asbl is a non-profit social organization (Association Sans But Lucratif) operating as a Center for Permanent Education and a Center for Expression and Creativity (CEC), recognized by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. The organization is not a technology product company; it provides social, educational, and leisure services including permanent education activities (citizenship, culture, well-being, and environment), creative workshops, and inclusive leisure activities. The organization serves approximately 350 members who are adults with or without intellectual disabilities, facilitating social inclusion and civic participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Activités d'Éducation permanente (Permanent Education Activities) Structured educational activities focused on citizenship participation, cultural awareness, and well-being/environment for adults with and without intellectual disabilities. Delivered to members and external participants through workshops, reflection groups, and training sessions.
• Ateliers créatifs (Creative Workshops - Centre d'Expression et de Créativité) Creative expression workshops offering regular practice and discovery of artistic and creative techniques for personal expression and pleasure. Designed for members with and without intellectual disabilities.
• Activités de loisir inclusif (Inclusive Leisure Activities) Recreational, playful, and sports encounters designed to facilitate social inclusion through leisure and the development of a social life. Includes recreational meetings, games, sports, cultural outings, and group excursions for adults with and without intellectual disabilities.
• Séjours de vacances (Vacation Stays) Organized group vacation stays offering inclusive holiday experiences for members with and without intellectual disabilities.
• Opération Sapins (Annual Christmas Tree and Decoration Sale) Annual December sales event selling Christmas trees, decorations, and ornaments (croisillons). The primary fundraising activity of Le Silex, also serving as a community engagement initiative. In 2019 it served 4,934 customers, generated 420 volunteers, and produced a record profit of 153,250 euros.
• La Criée (Annual Bulletin/Publication) Recurring organizational publication (bulletin/newsletter) produced by Le Silex for members, supporters, and the broader community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 153,250 euros profit from single annual operation (2019)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ricochet asblcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1970Closely affiliated organization located in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert sharing similar mission of social inclusion for people with disabilities. Ricochet focuses on civic sponsorship and individual accompaniment. Both organizations jointly organize the annual Christmas tree operation.
• Fédération Wallonie-BruxellescoreOthersOfficial recognition of Le Silex as Centre d'Éducation permanente and Centre d'Expression et de Créativité (CEC). Provides ongoing institutional support.
• Commission communautaire française (Cocof)coreOthersProvides financial support and institutional recognition for services to people with disabilities in Brussels.
• Commune of Woluwe-Saint-LambertcoreOthersMunicipal support for community organization serving local residents.
• Incidence (Fédération des CEC et FPAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation representing Centres d'Expression et de Créativité and artistic practice federations. Provides professional network and advocacy.
• Inclusion ASBLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovement bringing together parents, people with intellectual disabilities, families, and professionals. Emanation of ANAHM.
• FESEFAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation of employers in permanent education and adult training sectors.
• Service PharemajorOthersBrussels service for people with disabilities providing information, orientation, and support.
• Mouvement Personne d'AbordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-advocacy movement led by people with disabilities who organize themselves to fight against labeling and discrimination.
• Very Special ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization promoting artistic achievements of people with disabilities. Founded by Jean Smith Kennedy, affiliated with JFK Center for Performing Arts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• La Ligue Braille: Larger Belgian organization serving people with visual impairments and broader disability communities, providing services, advocacy, and adapted programming. Comparable as a Brussels-based disability-services nonprofit, though broader in scope.
• Very Special Arts: International organization promoting artistic achievements of people with disabilities, affiliated with the JFK Center for the Performing Arts. Comparable in promoting creative expression for people with disabilities and is a Le Silex partner.
• Cap 48: Well-known Belgian disability-awareness and fundraising organization operating across francophone Belgium, comparable to Le Silex in mission but at a significantly larger scale and broader public profile.
• Special Olympics: Global organization providing inclusive sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in delivering inclusive recreational programming for the same population, though at global scale.

Direct peers

• Inclusion ASBL: Belgian francophone movement of parents, people with intellectual disabilities, families and professionals (emanation of ANAHM). Directly comparable to Le Silex in serving adults with intellectual disabilities and families across Brussels and Wallonia, and is already a Le Silex partner.
• Trempoline ASBL: Belgian ASBL supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families through leisure, advocacy and accompaniment services, with overlapping programs in creative expression, citizenship and community inclusion.
• Mouvement Personne d'Abord: Belgian francophone self-advocacy movement led by people with intellectual disabilities, focused on fighting labeling and discrimination. Highly comparable to Le Silex in mission and currently a Le Silex partner.
• ALTEO ASBL: Belgian francophone movement promoting voluntary engagement of and for people with disabilities, offering inclusive leisure, cultural activities, and vacation stays — closely paralleling Le Silex's inclusive leisure and vacation programming.
• Ricochet asbl: Brussels-based ASBL focused on civic sponsorship and individual accompaniment for people with disabilities, sharing Le Silex's mission and jointly running the annual Christmas tree operation. Most directly comparable peer.

Regional players

• Service Phare: Brussels public service for people with disabilities providing information, orientation, and support. Comparable as a Brussels disability-services actor and a current Le Silex partner, though it is a government agency rather than an ASBL.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LeSilexasbl
• Instagraminstagram.com/lesilexasbl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/le-silex-asbl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Le Silex asbl