The Antwerp chapter of 2GO has been able to purchase another second-hand, dual-control vehicle in their quest to help young people obtain a driving license
The non-profit organization 2GO’s Antwerp branch has purchased a third vehicle to allow at-risk youth to practice driving. It is only the third car that serves young people in all of Antwerp province who cannot afford to pay for driving lessons.
2GO pairs people aged 18-30 who do not have a clear path to a driving license with “driving buddies” who will teach them to drive and help them study for the written and practical exams. The purchase of vehicles is, thus, crucial, and some of their cars are equipped with dual control to allow the passenger to intervene quickly if needed.
Removing the barriers
The additional second-hand car was bought with funds from participatory budgeting, which allows Antwerp residents to decide how part of the municipal budget is spent. “This third practice vehicle increases our capacity, allowing us to reach more young people and volunteers in the region,” says Bart Van Scharen, vice-chair of 2GO Antwerpen.
The driving buddies are volunteers who coach the youth from their first time behind the wheel all the way to obtainig a driving license. There are huge barriers for many young people to get a license, including having no vehicle, no one to teach them to drive or no financial means to pay for lessons.
We are heading towards that driving license together
Driving buddy Hans Roofthooft
At the same time, a driving license significantly increases one’s chances of getting a job. “It’s great to see these young people grow and to help them achieve their dreams,” says 2GO chair of the board Sven De Loght. “Every licence earned is a collective success for us.”
2GO operates in all five Flemish provinces. In Antwerp province, the organization has coached 58 youth to a license in four years. There are currently 55 people on the waiting list; the organization needs more volunteers to become driving buddies.
“It’s a really enriching experience for yourself as well,” says buddy Hans Roofthooft. “We aren’t professional driving instructors. We have to learn how to encourage young people but also to teach them the boundaries they need to drive safely in traffic. We are heading towards that driving license together.”