East coast municipalities sign charter on youth wellbeing

That is why the local authorities of the six municipalities on the East Coast commit themselves in a charter to work together on the theme. These are Knokke-Heist, Blankenberge, Bruges, Damme, De Haan and Zuienkerke.

In 2017, the six municipalities conducted a survey into the well-being of vulnerable young people. More cooperation was one of the recommendations. “Recognize the East Coast brand as an effective brand, make sure there is a lot of collaboration. Network, because together you do more than alone.” That was an important point that emerged from the research,” says Karel Hermans, of the Flemish Institute for Primary Care, VIVEL. “And it is still topical. That is why we are very pleased that this has now been formalized in a charter.”

“Not only seniors live on the coast”

There is little to do for young people on the East Coast and they often have to go to Ostend or Bruges for help. That is one of the frustrations of the young people, according to Saar Vanhooren, youth welfare worker at the CAW in Blankenberge. “The policy still focuses too often on the seniors. Young people are often not seen and are chased away. I hope that the local authorities invest time, money and energy in the young people to help them fight for their rights.”

Yesterday, around fifty employees from the sector came together in Het Zwin Nature Park in Knokke-Heist to brainstorm on the theme during a networking event.