EFUS’s URBAN Network and urban programmes in Antwerp and Charleroi (Belgium), 20/ 21 November 1997

In the framework of the URBAN programme of the European Commission, the EFUS created an URBAN network with the purpose to promote an exchange of projects and approaches to urban social development and to foster the propagation of good practices in the area of socio- economic renewal of disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

For this reason, the URBAN network of the EFUS visited Antwerp and Charleroi (Belgium) to look more closely at the projects for the renewal of poor neighbourhoods.

The cities of Antwerp and Charleroi decided to develop new sources of employment, in conjunction with the renewal of neighbourhoods included in the URBAN program. This was part of a two-fold strategy, designed to fight unemployment and to create and improve services to individuals (in particular as regards safety of persons, space and property). Thus, both in Antwerp and in Charleroi, employment and various approaches to the problem of unemployment are among the top priorities in the framework of the URBAN programme.

Some of the urban safety-related jobs created in these cities were: neighbourhood managers, wardens and mediators, public square workers, outreach workers with drug users, flat watchers, urban prevention assistants, city centre managers, urban stewards, fan coaching.

One of the findings highlighted during the audit was the fact that in both cities, cooperation among various key-players (State, municipality, representatives of businesses, associations, local population) was viewed as essential to the success of the project.

You can find more details in the EFUS’s publication: EFUS, New jobs: local safety contracts, 1997