Where can you network as a freelancer in Belgium?

Networking is essential for freelancers seeking quality assignments. To assist you in connecting with potential clients and peers, we’ve compiled a list of networking events, organizations, and communities in Belgium.

 Chambers of Commerce 

• • Your local chambers of commerce, find a list here.
  • Britcham: British Chambers of Commerce Brussels
  • VOKA (Vlaams Netwerk van Ondernemingen) – some departments, like West Flanders have a separate division for freelancers called VOKA One
    Tip: Check especially for their New Years events, non members are often welcome. VOKA in West Flanders has a dedicated freelance community called VOKA One.
  • JCI connects leaders and entrepreneurs between 18 and 40 years of age

 Local Associations for entrepreneurs 

• • UNIZO in Flanders
  • 1819/hub.brussels in Brussels
  • BECI in Brussels
  • UCM in Wallonia. UCM also organise events in Brussels

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Industry associations and federations

• • Web- and digital service companies and freelancers: FeWeb
  • Marketing professionals: BAM (Belgian Association of Marketing)
  • Growth professionals: Better Growth
  • Event professionals: Event Confederation, BESA, Febelux

Please note, some might only allow companies and not freelancers, but you can always try! 

Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit groups

• • Next to Freelancers in Belgium we also have subgroups in specific fields like HR, admin, IT, writers, and creative freelancers where you can interact with freelancers in niches similar to yours.
  • If relevant for you you can also check expat groups, like InterNations. Check also the FB group Life in Belgium, and Expats in [add your city].

Masterminds, social clubs, and membership groups

• • The Merode
  • Manneken Bizz (men and women welcome,
  • Antwerp Netwerk Meetings
  • Open Coffee (in Flanders)
  • Business Network International. Find the closest BNI group here: https://www.bni.com/

Event directories 

• • On Meetup.com you find especially communities and events for IT professionals, e.g. Data Science Belgium Community
  • You can search for business events on Eventbrite
  • The networking tool Conversation Starter lists events in their newsletter, you can subscribe to them here.

Freelance networks

• • We list freelance dedicated events on our website: www.freelancersinbelgium.be/events
  • Specific freelance networks Go4Freelance (in Flanders, in Dutch), Freelancebusiness.eu
  • Some freelance job platforms and agencies also have communities and events, check e.g. Malt

Local

• • See what the entrepreneurship agencies of the cities organise.
  • Local coworking spaces often organize events, one example is Commons Hub Brussels and Studio Wink in Kortrijk
  • Local and regional incubators and startup accelerators often organise events, check e.g. Wintercircus Ghent 
  • Local initiatives like Meaningfulwalks.be in Ghent- find these kinds of networking activities by asking fellow freelancers in your area for tips.

See also our blog post to discover 10 reasons why freelancers should network with each other.

 

Are there any organisations, communities, or events missing? Don’t hesitate to reach out to jenny.bjorklof@freelancersinbelgium.be