L’espace de co-working collaboratif Be Jungle, lauréat de l’appel à projet du ministère des outre-mer dans le cadre de l’ESS, ouvrira officiellement ses portes au mois de janvier prochain. Martinique 2030 s’est rendu sur lieux afin de discuter avec Thierry LÉONARD , porteur du projet. Interview.
How did you come up with the idea of creating a collaborative coworking space?
Thierry and his business partner Jean-Baptiste
I began my studies in agriculture in Martinique, and then in Guadeloupe. The challenges I faced in that environment gave me a different perspective on things. Whether related to environmental or health issues, I realized that there were alternatives to current practices. Following that, I continued my studies in mainland France in the fields of sustainable development, ecology, and especially renewable energy—specifically biogas. All of this, within the framework of the circular economy, opened my eyes to the importance of exchange, collaboration, and sharing with various organizations in order to provide sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly solutions. That’s when I decided to return home to work on this issue, because I felt there were solutions to be found. I met Jean-Baptiste, my current business partner, who shares my vision. Together with others, we came up with the idea of creating a collaborative coworking space. What drove us to do this was our entrepreneurial spirit—and also the fact that we didn’t have a place to work on these issues.
What is collaborative coworking?
Public squares have always played an important role in the development of a city. They are the places where people gathered, protested, and shared ideas. A coworking space or collaborative space is a place where people can come together and create things and ideas suited to our society. My vision of a coworking space is one of connections, moments of sharing, and creativity. I arrive here in the morning and work, but at some point I feel like watering a few plants, doing a little DIY, or chatting with someone—and often, it’s during those moments that I come up with my best ideas.
How did the project get started?
The project really started to take shape in terms of feasibility when we found this space. We’re located in a prime spot, with a local audience, in the Sainte-Thérèse neighborhood of Fort-de-France—the town at the center of Martinique, which is a strategic and accessible location for people without transportation. This allowed us to look toward the future. The first organization we contacted was the Fort-de-France City Hall. That’s where we learned that we could secure funding through the City Contract. Thanks to that, we were able to obtain the initial funding needed to cover our first expenses.
The furniture is very unique …
As you can see, we wanted to highlight the eco-friendly aspect of our furniture choices. We built most of the furniture using recycled materials. The point is to show that you can create things from scratch. It’s very economical and rewarding.
Why did you choose the name «Be Jungle»?
During the initial working sessions, we discussed the name of the space to convey the core, the essence of the project. In all these words, there is the beehive and the jungle that stood out. My father was a beekeeper, and I’ve always been fascinated by how bees work together. They’re very organized insects—if only because of the visual aspect of their habitat, the hive. Jean-Baptiste was also drawn to the beehive because he’s a graphic designer. For him, it made a lot of sense to incorporate this image into the project’s identity. As for the word «jungle,» it’s quite surprising, because at first glance, the jungle is wild, abstract, and operates on its own. There’s no organization, and one might even perceive it as hostile and dangerous to those unfamiliar with it. We found this image interesting as a way to represent the world of work, which, for some, can seem like a jungle. When you’re new to it, you wonder where to start, but in reality, everyone finds their place. If one person is missing, the entire system can be disrupted—and that’s exactly what happens in nature. «Be Jungle,» which translates to «let it be the jungle,» embodies the determination to venture into the entrepreneurial world.
Who is the target audience?
The target audience is anyone who wants to discover themselves in the working world. You have an idea, a plan, or a dream, but you’re not sure how to go about it. There’s always a solution, and to find it, you have to look deep within yourself. You can also discover that solution through conversations with others. On your own, you might miss out on certain things, and I believe in a community that thrives on these values.
People in the neighborhood are very supportive of our work. We went to meet some young people across the street from us—who, at first glance, might seem hostile to some—but as we talked with them, we realized they, too, have plans for the future. What interested me was seeing that even someone who might seem to have given up on their future still, deep down, has the desire to do something constructive.
How does it work?
If you're not in person, you can make a reservation on the website. We’ve made all our service options available—whether you’re looking to use our coworking space, rent a meeting room, or even sign up for the events we’ll be hosting. If you drop by, there will be a staff member on hand to welcome you and assist with your needs. An opening day is planned to mark the official launch of our activities. Currently, we’re open by reservation only. We offer the option to connect to the internet, print documents, use a meeting room, or just come by for a chat over coffee.
Do you have any future plans?
As a collaborative space, we want to maintain an impeccable reputation for environmental responsibility. We aim for green, sustainable consumption and responsible waste management. We’d like to use renewable energy by installing solar panels on our terrace to turn it into a pergola. In the future, we’d like to have a garden—or at least a green roof—that would allow us to grow medicinal herbs and maintain a small vegetable garden. The idea is to promote access to these types of products and raise public awareness about eco-friendly and healthy living.
Mariska Desmarquis
Website: www.bejungle.org
Facebook: bejungle972
Contact: contact@bejungle.org
Landline: 09 76 61 17 21
Cell: 06 96 53 07 22
