A new integration project for the wider Bruges area (central West Flanders) has been unveiled. ‘4U’ (For You) should help newcomers from the region around Bruges to integrate more easily into West Flemish society. Integration is encouraged, not through traditional classes or courses, but thanks to social activities.
‘It’s a pretty pleasant project’, explains Bruges alderman Pieter Marechal ‘because people are brought together based on interests’.
‘Abdel is from Yemen, his buddy hails from the Sint-Andries district in Bruges. They meet up together every week for sports activities. This way, newcomers become familiar with the local language, customs and networks. It’s a much nicer way of integrating into our society.’
Focus on contacts in Dutch and West Flemish
The activities always happen in Dutch. ‘We really focus on contacts in Dutch, but also in West Flemish.’ The West Flemish dialect, which is not always intelligible to Flemings from outside the province, is the choice medium for conversation among many West Flemings.
The ‘4U’ civic integration project is the result of the Flanders action plan. ‘The Flemish authorities decided to encourage all cities and municipalities in a region to work together and strengthen each other by developing so-called ‘regional pathways’. Experiences can be exchanged, and people can be helped by transcending borders.’
The project runs in the towns and municipalities of Knokke-Heist, Blankenberge, Damme, Jabbeke, Zuienkerke, Beernem, Torhout, Oostkamp, Zedelgem and Bruges.