Looking for some motivated cyclists to bring climate issues to the rural areas of Belgium

Cécile Davrinche, a post-doctoral researcher in climatology at the Earth and Life Institute, is launching an ELI project to bring climate, environmental and biodiversity issues to audiences with less easy and spontaneous access to them.

With her association Les Sacoches du Climat, she wants to set up a motivated ELI team to get on their bikes and talk about the environment in places where it is not usually discussed.

Les Sacoches du Climat

Les Sacoches du Climat is a French association co-founded by 8 young researchers in environmental sciences. Their aim is to take climate and biodiversity education outside the major urban research centers with ten-day cycling tours throughout France (and soon Belgium).

The young researchers give talks to pupils during the day and conferences and debates for the general public in the evenings, with the aim of creating a rich and convivial atmosphere in which all the issues surrounding climate and biodiversity can be discussed.

In May 2025, they traveled through the Pas-de-Calais region. Within 250 kilometers of cycling, they reached 1100 pupils during the day and 150 adults in the evening.

The target audience

In big cities, science is more accessible. Institutes organize conferences, science fairs and lots of different events.

In rural areas, this is not the case. That's why Les Sacoches du Climat wants to move away from big cities and go into rural areas, to bring environmental and climate science to places where it is less accessible.

The aim is also to break down the all-too-common stereotype of the scientist in a white lab coat with no knowledge of the field.

Activities and travelling

During the day, Les Sacoches du Climat organise activities with pupils in the schools that host them. 

In the evening, conferences for the general public are organised, and everyone can attend.

The researchers cycle from place to place. But being part of the team isn't just for sporty types: electrically assisted bikes are welcome. 

The team also uses tandems to transport the researchers who join the experiment for one or two evenings.

The adventure lasts between a week and 10 days.

A crazy, extraordinary and super-useful human experience

The Sacoches du Climat team is unequivocal: the experience is particularly worthwhile. For young researchers, it's a good way to learn how to communicate science, and to feel at ease in front of a large audience or not.

In addition, during the conferences and discussions, the audience often provides a particularly interesting insight into the reality of the field. It's a good way of getting information from the rural world.

Finally, it's an extraordinary human experience, a chance to meet new people and connect with other Early Career Scientists (ECS). It is a good way to take part in a meaningful project in a friendly atmosphere.

Cécile Davrinche is looking to set up an ELI team for a brand new edition of the Sacoches du Climat, which would visit rural areas in the south of Belgium around April 2026.

Although the initiative is based at ELI in Louvain-la-Neuve, if you are a researcher or academic from another research institute, campus, or university and would like to be part of the project, do not hesitate to contact Cécile.

Interested? Cécile is looking for :

• Researchers in all fields closely or remotely linked to climate, environmental, agronomic and biodiversity issues, who will be taking part in the whole adventure, from the planning to the interventions.
• Academics who will be taking part in one or two evening conferences for the general public.

If you're interested, or if you need more information before taking the leap, feel free to contact Cécile Davrinche: cecile.davrinche@uclouvain.be.

You can also find more information about Les Sacoches du Climat on their website and Instagram account.