Designing with Purpose: A Sustainable Office for CDT Europe

How CDT Europe aligned its mission with its space through sustainable, secondhand design.

At the heart of Brussels, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is working to advance digital rights, privacy, and democratic values across Europe. With a mission rooted in transparency, equity, and the responsible use of technology, CDT Europe stands at the intersection of civil liberties and digital innovation.

So when the organization opened its Brussels office, the question wasn’t just how to furnish the space, but how to do it in a way that reflects its core values. For an NGO deeply committed to long-term systemic change, embracing circularity and sustainable design was the clear choice. In partnership with Relieve, CDT furnished its new space with 70 secondhand and repurposed items, from desks and chairs to meeting tables and storage. These carefully selected pieces now serve the team in their day-to-day work while helping reduce the environmental footprint of the project.

By choosing reused furniture over new, CDT Europe saved 3.3 tons of CO₂. It’s a meaningful number, but it’s also a symbol of how organizational choices, large or small, can align with deeper values. It proves that sustainability isn’t a trade-off, but a design principle in its own right. This office isn’t just where CDT Europe operates. It’s a physical expression of the organization’s mission. Every table, every chair plays a part in reinforcing the belief that the systems we build, whether digital or physical it must be ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.

The process was smooth and efficient. Together, we browsed the available inventory with CDT, selected pieces that matched their needs, and provided guidance to create a cohesive, functional space, without compromising on aesthetics or values.

Our shared goal was clear: give quality furniture a second life while building a workspace that reflects CDT Europe’s mission. The result is a space that is both practical and purposeful,a clear example of how the way we furnish our environments can support long-term impact.