Cœur de Village is a citizen cooperative with a social purpose based in Tintigny, Belgium. It was created to help preserve and renew local village life after the planned closure of the local supermarket in Bellefontaine, and it now combines a general food store with a small business center. The cooperative positions itself as a driver of sustainable local development in rural areas. Its stated goals include strengthening social ties, creating durable jobs, improving access to quality food for everyone, and encouraging citizen participation in the project. In practice, Cœur de Village operates as a community-rooted retail and local-services hub: it sells everyday groceries with a strong emphasis on local, organic, and bulk products, while also offering rentable office space for local artisans and service businesses. Key Offerings General food retail store : A village grocery concept offering local products, organic and conventional items, bulk goods, and branded or entry-price products. The store is designed to provide a broad everyday assortment while keeping a strong local and accessible positioning. Bulk and low-packaging shopping : The shop includes a bulk section that helps reduce unnecessary packaging and supports more responsible everyday consumption. Local producer showcase : The store works with a wide network of regional producers across dairy, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, bakery, beverages, dry groceries, and household products. Business center and office rental : Cœur de Village also manages a small business center with equipped spaces for local craft and service entrepreneurs, offered at attractive rents. Core Values Local development : The cooperative is built around supporting the local economy, local producers, and local entrepreneurship in and around Tintigny. Social usefulness : Its social purpose includes creating social connection in a rural setting, making quality food accessible, and generating sustainable employment. Citizen participation : The project is explicitly cooperative and citizen-led, with members contributing financially and, for many, also through volunteer work in the store. Responsible consumption : The emphasis on local sourcing, organic products, and bulk sales reflects a commitment to more sustainable and less wasteful consumption habits. Unique Aspects Citizen-owned social cooperative : The company was created by local citizens after a community consultation showed strong support for saving the village grocery and rethinking its future. Two complementary activities under one roof : Unlike a standard grocery store, Cœur de Village combines food retail with a business center for local entrepreneurs. Strong cooperative involvement : More than a third of cooperators were willing to give at least three hours per month to work in the store, showing an unusually hands-on ownership model. Built from a local rescue project : The cooperative bought the building in 2018 after raising member capital and securing support from financing partners such as Sowecsom and Crédal, turning a threatened supermarket site into a community asset.
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