government of flanders 2014-2019 coalition

Transcription

Progress
CONNECT
TRUST
GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS
2014-2019
COALITION AGREEMENT
All the pictures in this publication were taken by Tom D’haenens.
VISION STATEMENT
GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS 2014-2019 COALITION AGREEMENT
Flanders is facing a difficult and challenging period. We are still struggling with the impact of the
economic crisis. Furthermore, the sixth state reform has allocated additional powers to us, but on
the other hand there are also major budgetary challenges to be dealt with. At the same time, we are
confronted with major social challenges, especially in terms of care and education. Equally important
aspects include the need for more jobs; further development of our inclusive community; better
quality water, soil and air; critical infrastructure works; and a thriving business climate. Plus, all of
this must be achieved on a balanced budget.
Our response to these challenges takes the form of a triptych, which embodies familiar historic
heritage. We have designed a Flemish triptych for the future: trust, connect, and progress.
Trust in our own abilities. Because Flanders possesses all the qualities and talent for achieving our
ambition: to be a European leader in terms of welfare and well-being by 2020.
But also trust in each other. You do not tackle difficult obstacles alone, but shoulder to shoulder.
Therefore trust also means connecting, to each other and to each other’s talent and qualities, so
that we can progress side by side. No one will be left behind.
Trust begins with transparency, which is why we will tell it like it is. We will all have to make a
contribution. Everyone will feel the effects, especially during the first two years. However, we will
prune to encourage growth so that a few years down the line our efforts will yield fruit.
This will provide both our economy and our care sector with a powerful boost. We will put our
trust in our companies by freeing them from administrative and other burdens as much as possible.
We will concentrate on what we can do, focussing on innovation, research and development, and
other forms of support for businesses. We will provide our economy with an unprecedented injection
of up to half a billion euros by the end of this legislative session.
We will also give our care and support sector a powerful boost by allocating the same amount to
it. From day one we will increase our investments in those that need our care the most, first and
foremost in people with a disability.
Thanks to the efforts we will make in the first couple of years, we can also invest in quality
education, in improving our mobility and several leading cultural and other infrastructure projects,
as well as in the environment, agriculture, culture, sport, etc. Those that require others to make
a contribution must act as an example. Therefore, the Government of Flanders will first make
substantial savings in its own governmental system. At the same time, we will give our civil
servants more trust and responsibility. We will drastically reduce the number of entities. We will
give our municipalities more autonomy and trust, especially our major cities, and limit the tasks
of the provinces to territory-based powers. Our objective is a smaller, more vigorous government
characterised by less administrative burden and more customer-friendliness.
Trust and connecting also relate to associations and civil society.
We offer increased trust through fewer rules so that associations can focus on their operations
and less on administrative procedures. We will also directly incorporate these associations into our
ambition to connect, to create support for our future path, to progress together.
This coalition agreement is our commitment to progress. We trust in our community and in our
future. Together we can connect and progress.
Trust, connect and progress: our triptych for the future, to successfully embark upon the journey
from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s achievements.
Tourism
Innovation
Agriculture
Work
Economy
Social economy
At the entrance of an industrial loom (Van De Wiele)
Connecting
for growth
First and foremost, this government wants to provide our economy and our care sector with a
major boost.
A Flanders that aspires to be ranked among the EU top five in terms of welfare and well-being, in
accordance with the Pact 2020 and “Vlaanderen in Actie” (ViA, Flanders in Action), relies on a strong
economy. We will focus on our own powers and on our strengths, innovation and entrepreneurship.
We will resolutely strive for demand-driven and market-driven government policy that evokes trust
and gives trust, and that therefore values entrepreneurs and offers them legal certainty.
We will connect entrepreneurs and government policy more closely through fewer and simpler
structures and instruments with faster and simpler procedures, increased transparency and a
customer-friendly, single-counter function. We will also merge “Agentschap Ondernemen” (Enterprise
Flanders) and the “Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie” (Agency for
Innovation by Science and Technology) into a single “Agentschap voor Ondernemen en Innovatie”
(Agency for Enterprise and Innovation) with a single support framework. We will incorporate the
“Hercules-Stichting” (Hercules Foundation) in the “Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek” (FWO, Fund
for Scientific Research - Flanders) for investments in research infrastructure.
The Government of Flanders will use a cluster policy to accelerate the transformation of our
industrial fabric and reinforce the knowledge-driven nature of our economy. We will use digital
infrastructures and networks to prepare Flanders for the fourth industrial revolution. And since
industrial innovation is largely supported by new and young businesses, we will address the failure
of SMEs to keep up in terms of innovation, better support them and lower the entry barrier to
innovation support.
We will also connect entrepreneurs and the government with the aim of achieving the 3% standard
for R&D by 2020. We already offer a solid budgetary growth path for innovation and support for
enterprises.
Running a business is also a question of culture. With targeted initiatives in the media and
in education, we want to contribute to greater recognition of entrepreneurial spirit and
entrepreneurship. We will support SMEs in crucial life phases and ensure that failure carries no
stigma. Moreover, we will examine how to make the win-win loan even more appealing.
We can also connect more to make progress for government instruments.
There will be no more overlapping operations between the “ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen”
(PMV, Participation Company Flanders) and “Limburgse Reconversiemaatschappij” (LRM, Limburg
Reconversion Company), but there will cooperation. The LRM will concentrate on implementing
the “Strategisch Actieplan Limburg in het Kwadraat” (SALK, the Strategic Action Plan for Limburg
Squared) We will avoid multiple subsidisation as well as multiple instances of shareholding through a
subsidy and shareholding database.
Farmers and horticulturists are also excellent entrepreneurs. We will do our utmost to strive
to Connect for Growth in this area: sustainable growth for sustainable and economically viable
agriculture. On the one hand, we will increase the sector’s resilience, but we will also reduce the
overall environmental pressure.
We will connect to the agri-food sector to allow Flanders to evolve to become the ultimate Food
Valley in Europe. This makes innovation in this field crucial, to produce the highest quality products
using innovative processes. Therefore, we will also apply regulations for investment support by
the “Vlaams Landbouwinvesteringsfonds” (VLIF, Flemish Agricultural Investment Fund) to make
the sector more resilient, more innovative and more sustainable. We will create a “Strategisch
Innovatieplatform” (SIP, Strategic Innovation Platform) for the agri-food sector.
Agriculture naturally requires space, legally secure space. Here, too, we can further and improve our
connections to progress by, for example, ensuring a region-specific and project-based approach with
a process manager to guarantee coherence in the implementation of interwoven policy agendas in
rural zones such as mobility plans, basin management plans, environmental and nature policy plans,
etc.
Tourism and culture are also certainly part of the economy and growth. In implementing the
“Toerismepact 2020” (Tourism Pact 2020), we will strive to connect tourism more to other policy
areas and bring about increased cooperation and coordination in the tourism sector. We will select
several tourism leverage projects that can make a difference to the power of attraction exerted by
our destinations and concentrate public resources on these projects. The key attractions in each of
the three macrodestinations (Flemish Coast, Flemish Regions and Art Cities) will be the starting point
for this selection.
We will examine whether Flanders’ maritime and nautical past can unlock tourism and act as a
valuable resource, especially in Antwerp and on the Coast.
We will improve access to the whole of Flanders with a walking nodes network similar to the cycling
nodes network.
We will continue to commemorate “The Great War Centenary” until 2018. We want to make Flanders
a preferred destination for peace and remembrance tourism even after this period by, for example,
the proposed recognition of the major cemeteries and memorials in the region of the front as World
Heritage sites. In the meantime, we are preparing celebrations for the 500th birthday of Pieter Bruegel
the Elder as a major cultural-tourism event in 2020.
If we want to Connect for Growth, it goes without saying that we want to get more people
employed and optimally connect supply and demand in the labour market. We remain committed
to the objective to increase the employment rate to 76% by 2020. To do so, we will use our existing
and new powers in a consistent and effective manner. As a follow-up to the “Loopbaanakkoord”
(Career Agreement), we will conclude a “Banenpact” (Jobs Pact) with the social partners.
In that same consultation, we will reinforce the activation policy by continuing to pursue
customisation and competence-based matching. All young job seekers will receive a tailor-made job
offer within four months. We are extending activation for older job seekers to the age of 65.
We are fine-tuning the follow-up and monitoring of unemployed people’s availability.
We will use the transfer of the target group policy to whittle down the large number of target
groups. Limiting the latter to young people, people aged 55 and over and the occupationally disabled
will result in far greater efficiency and effectiveness. This will allow us to create additional scope
to lower wage costs for these target groups and thus increase their chances on the labour market.
We are developing a single temporary work experience programme for subsidised employment. Part
of this involves a comprehensive reform of the Plaatselijk Werkgelegenheidsagentschap (PWA, Local
Employment Agency) system.
To be able to implement a coherent policy for labour market-oriented training, we will connect the
different instruments (training vouchers, paid educational leave and training credit) into a single
system Support may consist of a financial contribution, additional leave or a combination of both.
Responsibility for service cheques offers us an additional instrument to facilitate the combination of
work and family duties. For this reason, we will maintain their price and tax deduction benefit. We
will develop a single system of thematic care leave that complements the related federal allowance.
We will phase out non-thematic leave.
Patient in a CT scanner (University Hospital)
Health
Well-being
Connecting
for care
Expanding the supply of care and assistance is this government’s second priority.
The needs are great, as are the costs. This is precisely why the budgets we will allocate reflect this.
It’s all about offering every single Flemish person maximum support and the ability to fully
participate in society. The sixth state reform has afforded us new powers in this respect.
In consultation with all the partners involved, we want to provide more care in the new policy.
The basis for this is the so-called tripartite, or “Vlaams Economisch Sociaal Overlegcomité” (VESOC,
Flemish Economic and Social Consultative Committee) model, which includes representatives
of employers, employees and the Government of Flanders. Other civil society organisations that
represent users or providers will also join us around the table. If there is a lack of consensus, the
Government will have the final word in the decision.
We will develop fully-fledged Flemish Social Protection, one that is Flemish, social and secure,
which will be founded on a maximum increase in self-reliance as well as increasing residential care
and prevention. Its basis will be a national insurance with rights and individual benefits, allocated
on the basis of residency and payment of a premium. There will be an adapted system for Flemish
Brussels residents. Participation in the national insurance will be compulsory in Flanders. Flemish
residents of Brussels will participate on a voluntary basis.
The transfer of responsibility related to family benefits gives us the opportunity to substantially
simplify the system. We believe every child is equal and will therefore allocate the same basic family
benefit. We will abolish the hierarchy rule and age allowance, maintain an allowance for children
with special care needs and for orphans, and introduce a social allowance for children that grow
up in a low-income family, whereby we take the size of the family into account. The Government
of Flanders will take over payment of the family benefit from the “Federaal Agentschap voor
Kinderbijslag” (FAMIFED, Federal Agency for Child Benefits) as soon as possible.
With regard to childcare, we will expand the range on offer, focus more on the sector’s financial
viability using a gradual harmonisation of subsidy amounts and we will connect parents with
childcare facilities using the childcare facility finder. We will give priority to children of parents that
work and/or participate in job-oriented training programmes and ensure accessibility for children
from vulnerable families. We will assess the extent to which the Flemish Parliament Act produces any
unintentional obstacles to flexible, quality childcare.
We will develop new youth (sanction) laws. When imposing measures, we will take into
account the seriousness of the offences and the maturity of the minor and respect the principle of
proportionality. We will consolidate integral youth support.
Our healthcare policy will strengthen primary care and simplify and integrate the related structures.
Connecting for care pre-eminently involves the needs of the disabled. They can count on additional
support from day one of this government. We will increase efforts to help people with the greatest
support needs.
Lastly, the poverty issue concerns all policy levels and consequently demands a horizontal approach.
Therefore, achieving the poverty targets of the Pact 2020 is also a task for every Flemish minister.
The Government of Flanders will combat all mechanisms that cause poverty and it will encourage
people’s self-reliance.
Administrative
affairs
Brussels
Foreign
policy
Tourism
Flemish Periphery
around Brussels
Local and provincial
government
Ghent Market Hall (Architects Robbrecht & Daem & Marie-José Van Hee)
Connecting
Flanders
The trust, connect and progress triptych fully applies to the future organisation of our Flemish local
and provincial government. Building on the previous legislature’s internal reform of the federated
state, we will give municipalities and cities even more trust and more responsibility. We will reinforce
their governing powers and autonomy. They will therefore receive additional powers, tasks and
responsibilities.
The Government of Flanders is a “steering” government that determines the major objectives of
Flemish policy. We will trust municipalities to achieve these objectives in their own local context and
to determine which resources and people they use in order to do so. They will no longer report at
the operational level, but along broad lines.
Administrative power is related to scale. Therefore, municipalities that want to fuse will be
encouraged to do so with a financial bonus. The largest, as well as medium-sized cities and
municipalities, will receive greater autonomy and additional powers and these will extend, for the
largest cities (+100,000 inhabitants), to the possibility of deviating from Flemish regulations, if this
move can be justified from the point of view of efficiency or the metropolitan context.
We will integrate sectoral subsidies in local authorities (culture policy, youth, sport and development
cooperation, etc.) in the Municipal Funds, which provides increased autonomy and less planning
burden. We will also give the cities and municipalities more autonomy in terms of their internal
organisation.
We will also continue efforts related to simplification. We will fully integrate “Openbaar centrums
voor maatschappelijk welzijn” (OCMW, public centres for social welfare) in local authorities (this is
voluntary for central cities). We will abolish the City Fund and add the resources to the special fund
for central cities from the existing “Gemeentefonds” (Municipal Fund).
We will anchor the new relationships between the Government of Flanders and local authorities
in a new “local authority” Flemish Parliament Act, which will replace existing decrees (the
“Gemeentedecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on the Municipalities), “OCMW-decreet” (Flemish
Parliament Act on OMCWs) and the “decreet Intergemeentelijke Samenwerking” (Flemish Parliament
Act on Intermunicipal Cooperation)) and result in a drastic reduction and simplification of the
existing rules and greater municipal democracy.
We will continue to downsize the provinces. Henceforth they will focus on territory-related
powers. They will lose the person-based powers as well as the possibility of levying an additional
tax on withholding tax on income from real estate. The resulting revenues will be converted into
an allocation taking into account the reduction in spending as a result of the cessation of personbased powers. In cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants, the provinces will no longer carry out
supralocal tasks and will no longer take any region-specific initiatives. The proceeds generated by
their provincial taxes in cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants will be paid out to these cities.
We will halve the total number of provincial councillors and limit the number of deputies to four,
taking into account the number of inhabitants in each province.
It goes without saying that connecting Flanders also concerns the relationship with Brussels, our
capital city, and with our green Flemish Periphery around Brussels. We will continue to strengthen
the bonds and to invest in infrastructure and services for the benefit of Brussels residents. We will
design a single recognisable logo for all Flemish institutions in the capital and allow Muntpunt to
evolve to become a meeting place for Flemish people and a showcase for Flanders in Brussels.
With regard to the Flemish Periphery around Brussels, we will take new initiatives such as
a Flemish Parliament Act regulation for language use in drafting notarial acts. In all facilities and
services that fall under the Flemish Parliament Act on Quality, we will guarantee the patient or
customer a Dutch-language service and we will take action if there is failure to comply with these
essential quality requirements.
For the Government of Flanders communications, we will continue to apply the principles of the
circulars in municipalities with linguistic facilities. French-speaking residents must expressly request
the application of these linguistic facilities.
We wish to implement the sixth state reform with the necessary cooperation partnerships in the
interest of all Flemish people. We will make optimal use of our own powers within the constitutional
and legal framework. We will use legal instruments if other authorities operate in our areas of power.
We will also strive to increase Flanders’ connection to foreign countries more than ever. As an
open society and open economy, we want to stand tall and self-assured in the world. The Flemish
Department of Foreign Affairs, a fully-fledged Flemish ministry of foreign affairs, safeguards Flanders’
international policy coherence. We will expand the network of representatives abroad and of the
FIT. We will increase interaction between Flemish and European institutions by, among other things,
reporting directly to the EU.
FIT’s economic missions are extremely important for our exports and for attracting foreign
investments. Missions by the “Agentschap voor Buitenlandse Handel” (Belgian Foreign Trade Agency)
are simply complementary. Therefore, we will limit their number to two per year and reduce our
allocation accordingly.
And it goes without saying that we will do our utmost to mutually connect Flemish people,
including those with a migrant past. Our civic orientation and integration policy aims to equip
everyone to be able to shape our society and our future, with his or her individuality and based on
shared values, rights and liberties.
As soon as the “Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering” (Agency for Civic Integration and
Orientation) is operational, we will replace the effort obligation for compulsory civic orientation by
a result commitment. We will make efforts to introduce a compulsory integration process in Brussels
and for EU nationals that settle in Flanders.
Since knowledge of Dutch is the key to full participation in society, we will better align the Dutch
option as a second language with needs and requirements.
In the next legislative session, the Government of Flanders will act as an example of the trust,
connect and progress triptych. We will give our civil servants more trust and responsibility. We will
also connect many government institutions with a comprehensive merger of entities. The objective
is a smaller, more vigorous government characterised by less administrative burden and more
customer-friendliness.
We will continue to significantly reduce the number of staff members by means of a selective
replacement policy.
We will bring compartmentalisation to an unequivocal end. We will reduce the number of entities
and merge certain policy areas.
Cooperation between the services and more intensive cooperation with the government will be the
order of the day. The Government of Flanders will organise itself more effectively and speak with
one voice, offering citizens, enterprises, local authorities and associations more clarity and certainty.
By 2020, all administrative transactions between the government and citizens, local authorities and
enterprises will be conducted digitally.
Public works
Connecting for
progress
Vessel entering the sea locks
Mobility
Sound transport infrastructure, easy access and free flowing traffic are crucial for our economy, but
also for our private mobility needs. Here, it most definitely comes down to connecting as much as
possible in order to progress, literally and figuratively. The budgetary difficult times will not stop us
from investing additional resources in mobility and public works.
Focusing on a more efficient and more effective transport network, we will work on a series of
major, problem-solving infrastructure projects concentrating on the worst congestion zones: Brussels
and Antwerp.
In 2016, in accordance with the interregional cooperation partnership, we will introduce a kilometre
charge for heavy goods vehicles on the road. We are examining whether and under which
conditions we could introduce a kilometre charge or road charge vignette over time and in a budgetneutral manner for passenger cars.
In the process to achieve zero road traffic fatalities, the number of fatalities in Flanders must not
exceed 200 by 2020. With an ambitious Road Safety Plan, we will bundle forces and optimally use
our new powers to achieve this objective. We will connect all road safety activities in a “Vlaams Huis
voor de Verkeersveiligheid” (Flanders House for Road Safety).
With the construction of the Deurganck dock lock for Antwerp, the new sea lock in Terneuzen
for Ghent, and the Ship Project, we will provide accessibility to our seaports. With the further
expansion of our network of waterways, we will devote special attention to improved access to the
hinterland for the seaport of Bruges.
Public transport must become more appealing, with more comfortable vehicles, optimal
frequencies, competitive speed (including better tram connections), and simple, integrated services
and fares. The concept of basic mobility will become basic accessibility. We will increase De Lijn’s
break-even level so that it is comparable to foreign equivalents. We will abandon the “free” policy
and limit De Lijn’s costs for internal organisation, generate additional income from advertising, check
for fare evaders, commercial shared use of infrastructure, and more equitable and differentiated fares.
Esplanade at the North Sea
Spatial planning
Housing
Environment
Nature
Connecting for
everyday life
Life is good in Flanders. However, in our densely populated region, we must also use our space more
intelligently and more efficiently. The “Beleidsplan Ruimte Vlaanderen” (Spatial Policy Plan Flanders)
explains how we will optimally safeguard our valuable open space, create possibilities for quality
housing and leave adequate space for enterprise.
Our ambition is to create 93,000 additional homes by 2020, a large number of which will be
achieved by densification, renovation and reuse. In addition, in consultation with other authorities
and private partners, we will introduce an active, dual-track land policy: offering more parcels in
residential zones in the market and addressing residential expansion areas in a responsible manner.
We will create space for companies and commercial businesses using infill development, the
activation and redevelopment of existing sites and the valorisation of blackfield and brownfield sites.
We will permanently monitor supply and demand, so that existing industrial sites can be developed
quickly and new sites can be earmarked where necessary.
With regard to environmental planning, we will modernise planning instruments. Next year, we
will implement the environment permit, which integrates the environmental permit and the urban
development permit. We will reduce the administrative burden and increase efficiency by also
integrating the socio-economic permit into the environment permit. In this context, we will also
examine the possibility of applying a lex silencio. Furthermore, we will bring the powers related to
spatial planning and the environment under a single policy area.
Connecting for everyday life obviously concerns nature too. Using the principles of land
management, sustainable development, ecological footprint and transition thinking as a guideline, it
is our mission to protect and gradually improve our environment, together with other authorities,
enterprises and citizens.
By greening the economy in general and taxation in particular, we will discourage and punish
environmental pollution and reward and promote environmental protection. We will introduce
a fixed but family-adjusted allowance and reduce the variable allowance for water drainage and
water purification.
We will continue our efforts to reduce fine dust, nitrogen oxide, greenhouse gases and ozone. We will
link the road tax to the impact on air quality.
Flanders ranks among the European leaders when it comes to waste policy and we want to hold
on to this position by signing up to an innovative circular economy. We will have an impact analysis
performed with regard to the introduction of a deposit for (plastic) bottle and cans.
In the context of conserving and boosting nature, we will connect urban and rural areas using
green-blue networks, with space for recreation, tourism, local economies and social or educational
projects. We will provide additional resources for achieving conservation objectives and supporting
policy. We will protect the exceptionally valuable historic, permanent, coastal polder grasslands
based on the map drawn up after the public consultation.
As an extension of our environmental powers, we will also be responsible for animal welfare.
We will integrate the policy competence and the inspectorate in the Department of Environment,
Nature and Energy. We will develop a coherent policy that will create a well organised and targeted
monitoring system so that any infringements of the regulation will no longer go unpunished. We
will set up a campaign to increase the sense of responsibility related to keeping domestic animals
(including exotic animals).
Connecting for everyday life also involves housing, a power that will receive particular attention
from this government, given the planned reforms. We want to further encourage the acquisition of
property. To this end, we will develop an integral housing taxation system. For existing loans, we
will use the home bonus as it stands today. However, to safeguard the home bonus for the future,
we will introduce a limited reform, assuming market stability and budgetary control. We are also
examining the possibility, within the framework of the budgetary context, of providing a choice
in the housing taxation system whereby taxpayers can either opt to apply the home bonus when
purchasing a property or benefit from a reduction in the registration duty.
We will objectify the system of social loans by, among other things, incorporating regional
diversification of house prices in the equation and we will limit eligibility conditions by excluding
private new builds, land purchases and refinancing. We will restore the “living in one’s own local
area” principle, taking into account the Constitutional Court ruling.
With regard to property rental, in a first phase, we will guarantee continuity, but we will also
work on a Flemish Rental Codex that will establish its own priorities. Our objectives are affordability,
home security and protection of quality housing for tenants, and payment security for landlords. We
will take measures so that social housing is made available to the most needy.
In its energy policy, the Government of Flanders is fully committed to energy efficiency. More
judicious energy consumption will not only reduce our energy bills, but also help us achieve the
European climate targets. The funds from the Climate Fund will be used primarily for energy-saving
measures in buildings, with a particular focus on social housing.
Given that “free power” did not achieve the originally intended social and ecological targets, we will
abolish this measure. Instead, we will take measures to combat energy poverty more efficiently. We
will reinforce the social roof insulation programme and launch a social programme for high efficiency
glass and cavity wall insulation.
We will increase the minimum share of renewable energy for new builds and major renovation
projects for homes and non-residential properties, taking into account a cost-optimal level.
We will reform and simplify the certification system for green power and cogeneration and will take
measures to phase out a surplus of certificates. We will phase out support for new plants so as to
prepare for renewable energy generation to be fully integrated in the market system.
To ensure their energy bills continue to be affordable, families will be given the option to adjust their
demand to the energy prices at different times of the day.
To safeguard the competitiveness of energy-intensive companies, we will ensure that the sum of the
additional costs and net tariffs are not higher than those in neighbouring countries.
We will reform the distribution grid tariffs for electricity and gas to a pure grid-related tariff per
target group that reflects the capacity a customer reserves.
SPORT
MEDIA
YOUTH
Culture
connects
Training of young fencers of the Royal and Chivalric Guild of Saint Michael, the oldest fencing club in the world
CULTURE
Flanders has a thriving and high quality culture sector, which contributes to our international
reputation. In this legislative session, we will fully develop the Flemish Parliament Act on the Arts,
which aims to combat fragmentation and overproduction. The policy will focus on initiatives with
an impact, scope and profile at the Flemish and international level and on relevant presentation
sites, organisations and publications that confront the public with established and new Flemish
talent, and with what is happening outside Flanders. Major art institutions, which act as leading
ambassadors, will be given more room for manoeuvre. We will invest in pioneering art and cultural
projects such as Gaasbeek Castle, De Singel, the M HKA and the municipal opera houses in Antwerp
and Ghent.
We will monitor and encourage the effective exercise of everyone’s right to cultural development.
We will make the UiTpas available throughout Flanders so that we can integrate all the discounts,
advantages, customer and “opportunity” passes into a single automated system.
Associations, movements and training institutions bring people together and actively and creatively
work on community building and self-development. We will support the socio-cultural sector so that
it can continue to fulfil its pioneering role and will take into account the changed and diverse forms
in which Flemish people socially engage.
We will afford the sector some breathing space to continuing investing in a rich and diverse range
of books using a regulated book price in the form of a maximum ceiling discount during the first six
months.
In 2016, we will host the Frankfurter Buchmesse together with the Netherlands.
We will use it to reinforce our cultural partnership with the Netherlands.
The Government of Flanders wants to give everyone the opportunity to exercise/participate in
sports in their local area in a quality, healthy and affordable manner, throughout their lives. Taking
into account an ever faster evolving sports landscape, the Government of Flanders will develop
a new “decreet op de sportfederaties” (Flemish Parliament Act on Sports Federations), which will
encourage the federations to operate in a more efficient and more targeted manner. Furthermore,
clubs must be given every opportunity to fully invest in quality sports coaching. We also want to
consult at the federal level on a new statute for sports coaches. Lastly, the Government of Flanders
will focus on sports infrastructure, prioritising the swimming pool issue. We will also strive for
cooperation and co-financing.
The Flemish media world is undergoing a radical transformation. We will adopt a policy
that guarantees a versatile and balanced landscape, which combats the negative impacts of
concentration, vertical integration and cross-media action, which impedes the depletion and decline
of the content and that guarantees and maintains the affordability of access to a diverse and
quality supply for all Flemish people. We will afford the “Vlaamse Regulator voor de Media” (Flemish
Regulator for the Media) the necessary scope so that he or she can accurately fulfil his or her duties.
Before concluding a new management agreement, we will assess the VRT’s public mission in the
changing media landscape through benchmarking. The third network will be exclusively used
to separate Ketnet and Canvas. We will establish requirements related to a guaranteed supply of
Flemish and Dutch-language productions and music, in various genres, as well as on channels and
during broadcasting hours with a wide reach.
Teachers
Educational
capacity
Education
options
Educational
reform
Researcher in the laboratory where nanobodies are developed to cure human diseases (Ablynx)
Connecting for
the future
The level of education in Flanders is excellent - and that is something of which we can be extremely
proud. In order to continue to build on this, we must solve the bottlenecks in a focused and
judicious manner. This is why we are already investing additional funds in school buildings and
working on modern, quality educational equipment for (industrial) technical and professional courses
in secondary education.
The quality of our education largely depends on the quality of our teachers: teaching takes place
in the classroom and throughout the school. With this goal in mind, we will reform teacher training
and expect educational support services to adjust. Entrants will have to participate in a non-binding
admission test. We will conclude a pact with education providers and trade unions to make a
teaching career more appealing and reduce the number of people leaving the profession.
We want to give school boards and teachers the necessary trust. This is precisely why we will also
work on significantly reducing the planning burden on all levels.
We will do our utmost to get children into school from the age of three. We will implement the
Master Plan for Secondary Education Reform in consultation with the education sector. We
will strive for fewer but improved study courses that are more in tune with the labour market
and higher education. We will use our new “industrial apprenticeships” power to develop a dual
system of learning and working. We will resolutely strive to combat early school leaving and youth
unemployment with training.
We will implement initiatives to increase knowledge of Dutch and provide schools with the
necessary support. We will also encourage parents to learn Dutch.
We will adopt an active language policy to increase linguistic knowledge of standard Dutch and
modern foreign languages. Therefore, the attainment targets for foreign languages (French, English or
German) must be formulated in a more ambitious manner. Language initiation in primary education
could be offered in English, French or German once pupils have adequately mastered standard Dutch.
Projects involving the use of foreign languages in “zaakvakken” (geography, history and science) in
secondary education are also options.
We will encourage schools to work together more intensively, respecting the uniqueness of each
educational entity. We will create additional places through a school construction master plan,
first in the cities and municipalities facing the greatest pressure. Throughout Flanders as a whole,
we will tackle school buildings on the waiting list that find themselves in the most urgent situation.
New or renovated school buildings must be multifunctional and be made available for the local
community and in the school holidays for play, youth and sports activities.
A new and simple regulation for school registration will maximise parents’ freedom of choice.
In the meantime, we will look for a solution to multiple applications and registrations and
we will ensure that special education is no longer subject to the existing regulation for the
“inschrijvingsdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Registration).
For higher education, we will implement phased and non-binding admission tests for all
courses, at the latest by 2018-2019. We will make agreements with the associations, colleges of
higher education and universities to eliminate the undesired effects of more flexibility and we will
rationalise the range of higher education.
This ambitious programme will be translated year after year in the budget, revenues and expenditure.
We aim to keep these revenues and expenditures in balance while we address these challenges. The
budget will be balanced as of 2015. By achieving this balance in the short term, we can quickly
create new policy scope and implement an ambitious programme.
We want to achieve this balance and it requires efforts from everyone in terms of revenue, but
especially in terms of expenditure. We will take structural measures and introduce reforms that will
result in improved service provision. We will place the emphasis on efficiency gains in government
operations and by government funded institutions. Sometimes this can be achieved by reducing the
number of services and institutions, sometimes by merging their tasks, sometimes by trimming them
down to their core tasks and allocating support tasks elsewhere.
All ministers and policy areas will make an effort to pay uncontested invoices within thirty days
to avoid interest on arrears. We will also introduce a uniform accounting system with intelligent
scanning of invoices and e-invoicing.
Repayments from the KBC and possible valorisation of other shareholding will all be used to reduce
the debt.
With the aim of maintaining our favourable rating and the durability of Flemish finances, by the end
of the legislative session, we will limit the consolidated debt, PPP debt and guarantees to a certain
percentage of revenues yet to be determined.
We will work on a budget-neutral simplification of registration duties. We will extend a temporary
reduction of the gift tax on building land, as well as the link with the obligation to build on it
within a certain period of time. We will also simplify the gift tax for real estate. Simple rates will
result in less tax avoidance. We will adapt the distribution tax so that couples that separate pay a
maximum of one percent.
We will integrate tax reductions, exemptions and existing support systems as much as possible to
make government allowances simpler and more transparent.
This government is ready to roll up its sleeves and start working on this coalition agreement, our
commitment to progress, for the next five years.
We are fully aware that we do not exclusively have good news to announce, especially in the short
term. We are not sugar-coating the reality. Costs must be cut. They involve savings on the road to
growth with a substantial boost for our economy and our care sector.
With this coalition agreement, we profess a steadfast belief and trust in our community, a steadfast
belief and trust in the course that lies before us.
Trust, connect and progress: our triptych for the future of the Flemish people, the triptych to
successfully embark upon the journey from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s achievements.
This coalition agreement is our commitment to progress.
We trust in our community and in our future.
Together we can connect and progress.
GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS
COALITION AGREEMENT
CONTENTS
I. LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND URBAN POLICY
II. PUBLIC GOVERNANCE
III. BRUSSELS
IV. FLEMISH PERIPHERY AROUND BRUSSELS
V. ECONOMY AND INNOVATION
VI. WORK AND THE SOCIAL ECONOMY
VII. MOBILITY AND PUBLIC WORKS
VIII. SPATIAL PLANNING
IX. AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND RURAL POLICY
X. THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE
XI. ANIMAL WELFARE
XII. ENERGY AND CLIMATE
XIII. HOUSING
XIV. EDUCATION
XV. WELFARE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FAMILY
XVI. POVERTY POLICY
XVII. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
XVIII. CIVIC ORIENTATION - INTEGRATION
XIX. CULTURE, YOUTH AND MEDIA
XX. SPORT
XXI. IMMOVABLE HERITAGE
XXII. TOURISM
XXIII. FOREIGN AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
XXIV. FINANCE AND BUDGET
XXV. APPENDICES
35
40
46
50
54
64
72
88
99
108
115
116
123
128
137
157
159
161
164
173
177
180
182
190
195
I. LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND
URBAN POLICY
A trim, transparent and vigorous government stimulates the welfare and well-being of its citizens.
This applies to the Government of Flanders, local governments and inter-administrative relationships.
The Government of Flanders strives for a government landscape that consists of strong cities and
municipalities with more power and autonomy. They are the initial contact points for citizens. The
Government of Flanders places its trust in the cities and municipalities and will provide support for
them to shape the Flanders of tomorrow while adding their own imprint. With this in mind, in the
first instance, they are accountable at the local democratic level.
The Government of Flanders is a “steering” government that determines the major objectives of
Flemish policy.
We will place our trust in municipalities for achieving these objectives in their own local context
and for determining which resources and people they will use to do so. They will no longer report
at the operational level, but along broad lines. Flanders places the emphasis on ex-post control with
the new local policy and management cycle as the starting point. Local policy information will be
collected in relation to benchmarking for municipalities, in accordance with the example of the City
Monitor.
This all requires a change in culture in the Flemish administration, which will continue to evolve
from a controlling to a knowledge administration, to a partner for local administrations.
Pending further reforms, the Government of Flanders will closely monitor compliance with the spirit
and letter of the “planlastendecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Planning Burdens).
We will continue to simplify administrative supervision. We will abolish approval supervision and
general (ex-post) supervision will become the norm.
When drafting its policy, the Government of Flanders will respect the Belfry principle. We will also
accurately identify the impact of each government decision on the organisation, staff, operations and
investment policy of local authorities.
Municipalities can voluntarily choose to fuse. We will encourage them to do so using a financial
bonus and by allocating greater autonomy and additional powers to the largest cities and mediumsized cities and municipalities.
Together with the Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten vzw (VVSG, Association of Flemish
Cities and Municipalities), Flanders will offer extra support by disseminating policy-based and
organisational good practices and examples.
We will allocate additional powers, tasks, autonomy and responsibility to local authorities, in the
framework of the sixth state reform as well. In this process, municipalities can take over resources
and staff from Flemish government services on their territory.
We will differentiate between the largest cities (+100,000 inhabitants), medium-sized municipalities
(+25,000 inhabitants) and other municipalities according to scale. The largest cities will have the
opportunity to deviate from Flemish regulations, if the decision can be justified from an efficiency
point of view or in the metropolitan context and insofar as it complies with applicable European
directives and regulations.
Each allocation of new tasks or powers to cities, municipalities and “Openbare Centra voor
Maatschappelijk Welzijn” (OCMWs, public centres for social welfare) will be conducted in consultation
with the local authorities and will be accompanied by the transfer of the necessary funds to the
local government level.
In matters where local authorities take decisions in a Flemish regulatory context (spatial planning,
immovable heritage, environment, housing, etc.), we will expand the policy scope of local authorities
considerably. We will revise Flemish regulations (Flemish Parliament Acts and implementing decrees)
so that they are far more streamlined on broad lines only than they are at present. In this context,
local authorities will be able to implement and be accountable for their policy. The Government
of Flanders is committed to examining, in a joint committee (Flanders/local authorities), the areas
in which local authorities’ autonomy can be increased, namely the specific powers at the local
authority level that require Flanders to act solely in a steering capacity. This screening process will be
organised in the first year of the legislative session, together with municipalities and provinces, and
must provide concrete results by 31 March 2015.
We will integrate the following sectoral subsidies to local authorities in the Municipal Fund: local
cultural policy, local youth policy, local sports policy, accompanying educational policy, child poverty
reduction policy, municipal development cooperation and integration subsidies. The total amount
that will be added to the Municipal Fund will be distributed in accordance with the proportion
that the municipalities receive in 2014 from all these subsidy regulations as a whole. The growth
rate of the Municipal Fund does not apply to this amount. The existing regulation remains in force
for municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region and for municipalities with linguistic facilities in the
Flemish Periphery around Brussels.
We will adopt the principle that local authorities will be the orchestrators of the policy implemented
on their territory, within the applicable legal framework. We will apply this principle to, among other
things, policy for housing, childcare provided outside school hours and accompanying educational
policy.
We will consider the recommendations made by the services of the Government of Flanders as
a form of service provision for the municipalities, for whom these recommendations no longer
represent an imposed burden or a mere procedural step.
We will afford cities and municipalities more autonomy with regard to their internal organisation.
In terms of personnel policy, we will allocate the municipalities, and particularly the largest cities,
greater degrees of freedom to shape their local legal status. We recognise the role of municipalities
in union consultations. We will make it possible for local authorities to be able to recruit temporary
workers in a flexible manner. We will ensure that services provided to citizens by local authorities
are neutral and are experienced as such.
We will give the largest cities the autonomy to organise their internal municipal decentralisation.
We will invest heavily in new IT possibilities and in inter-municipal e-government. We will support
municipalities in efforts to further digitise their operations, by offering them generic applications and
platforms.
In the further development of “Audit Vlaanderen” (Audit Flanders), we will take account of existing
internal audit services in local authorities using the single audit principle. In municipalities that
possess an independent audit service that operates as closely as possible according to IIA standards,
Audit Vlaanderen will be restricted to assessing the operations of the independent audit service.
We will fully integrate the OCMWs in municipal authorities (this is voluntary for the central cities)
by the beginning of the next local legislative period at the latest. We will develop models that
municipalities can adopt in this integration process (e.g. sui generis EVA (privately structured external
independent agency)), so that they can continue to incorporate the tasks that they have to perform
in the framework of federal legislation. In all respects, we will guarantee the necessary protection
for personal privacy and neutral case treatment such as those in existing support committees when
allocating social services and individual support. We will consult with the federal government to
remove any barriers to maximum integration.
We will drastically simplify flows of capital from Flanders to the local authorities and will retain two
funds: the Municipal Fund for general funding and an investment fund.
We will maintain the annual growth rate for the Municipal Fund (3.5%).
We will abolish the City Fund and add the resources to the special fund for central cities from the
existing Municipal Fund, respecting the applicable conditions.
We will bundle resources from federal urban policy, urban renewal projects and the rural fund in
a single investment fund to support local investments, with respect for their existing focus and
conditions. In this area, we will also expand the municipalities’ policy autonomy and minimise the
administrative burden (ex-post control). The largest cities can, if desired, obtain a drawing right for
Flemish investment subsidies, whereby they can autonomously spend and manage their share (on
education, sewage systems, etc.).
We will retain the Elia compensation scheme and resources from the local pact to encourage
investments in sewerage systems.
We will use the regional screening performed during the previous legislative session to boost
the dynamics of regional development. The objective is to dramatically reduce the number of
intermediate levels and to arrive at as many coinciding cooperation partnerships as possible.
We want municipalities to merge as many existing cooperation partnerships as possible and
coordinate them on a regional scale.
The Government of Flanders will draft a framework Flemish Parliament Act to optimally align all the
regulations it uses to impose, recognise or support supra-municipal partnerships.
Flanders will only initiate new cooperation partnerships if a detailed motivating memorandum
reveals that the intended objectives cannot be achieved by an existing cooperation partnership.
The Government of Flanders will, in consultation with the municipalities, assess and amend the
Flemish Parliament Act on Intermunicipal Cooperation. In addition, the municipalities will have the
possibility, respecting European regulations on the matter, to cooperate with a private partner in
an intermunicipal partnership in the waste and power distribution sectors (with the exception of
producers and suppliers with regard to energy). Limitations related to objectives included in the
current Flemish Parliament Act will be eased. The provinces will withdraw from intermunicipal
cooperation partnerships.
In consultation with the municipalities, we will develop an integrated vision of the pipeline network
utility sectors (gas, electricity, water and possibly cable and sewerage systems) with the aim of gains
in efficiency and more coherent policy in the public domain. We will look for an appropriate supramunicipal scale to bundle municipal shareholding in these sectors.
We will create a Flemish Parliament Act basis for municipal shareholding in the energy sector
(to replace Article 180 of the “Programmawet” (Programme Law) of 1994). We will simultaneously
organise monitoring for shareholding with a stricter definition of the municipal interest. We will
anchor new relationships between the Government of Flanders and local authorities in a new
“decreet lokaal bestuur” (Flemish Parliament Act on Local Government), which will replace existing
Flemish Parliament Acts (Flemish Parliament Act on the Municipalities, Flemish Parliament Act on
OCMWs and the Flemish Parliament Act on Intermunicipal Cooperation) and achieve a far-reaching
limitation and simplification of the management rules, taking ongoing digitisation into account. We
will thus reinforce municipal democracy by, among other things, filling the presidency of the town
council in all municipalities with a municipal councillor with no executive mandate.
We will amend the qualification procedure for religious administrations. From now on, we will first
ask the opinion of State Security. If that is positive, we will also seek the opinion of local government.
We will continue to downsize the provinces.
The provinces will no longer execute person-based powers. The person-based powers assigned
to them by sectoral Flemish Parliament Acts (Flemish Parliament Act of 6 July 2012 establishing
the stimulation and subsidisation of a local sports policy, the Flemish Parliament Act of 6 July
2012 establishing support for local youth policy and defining provincial youth policy, the Flemish
Parliament Act of 6 July 2012 establishing Flemish cultural heritage policy, the Flemish Parliament Act
establishing the allocation of certain powers to the provinces in these matters, specified in Article 5
of the special law of 8 August 1980 to reform the institutions) will be abolished.
The provinces will no longer carry out supralocal tasks and will no longer take any region-specific
initiatives in cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants. The provinces will transfer revenues
generated by their own taxes in cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants to the cities.
We will halve the total number of provincial councillors and limit the number of deputies to four,
taking into account the number of inhabitants in each province.
We will integrate the provincial additional tax on withholding tax on income from real estate in
the basic levy and thus achieve savings. With the revenues from this additional basic levy, we will
finance the Government of Flanders’ allocation to the provinces, after deducting savings and the
amount necessary to finance the person-based powers exercised by the authorities that will be taken
over by the Government of Flanders and the municipalities.
We will confirm and strengthen the coordinating and intermediary role of the Governors, who will
act as a link between the Government of Flanders and local authorities.
II. PUBLIC GOVERNANCE
TOTAL COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC CUSTOMER
We opt for a Government of Flanders that listens, that is open to consultation, that offers solutions,
that does what it says and says what it does, that trusts its citizens, enterprises, associations and
local authorities, that explains why it does or does not do something and that occupies itself with
genuine problems for which it develops genuine solutions. We will encourage Flemish administration
to achieve a real and marked change in mentality.
We will resolutely strive for a results and customer-oriented Government of Flanders. Social
expectations will lead to a solution-focused and integral approach to service provision. In terms of
policy and management, we will intuitively determine our actions in relation to the desired results
and social effects.
We will call to mind the “Beter Bestuurlijk Beleid” (Better Administrative Policy), in the sense that the
Government of Flanders will act as a holding structure, with operational entities that have a certain
autonomy in their daily operations and with a parent company (Government of Flanders) that
determines joint services and decides who implements them.
In each policy area, after consultation with the leading officials, the competent minister will appoint
a president that will preside over the management committee. The president must be someone that
can achieve cooperation between his or her entities and who also promotes cooperation with the
minister. If necessary, the minister may participate in meetings held by the management committee
or be represented by someone from his or her Minister’s office. If this is the case, it may replace the
policy council. A chairman’s board, which unites chairpersons from all policy areas and that replaces
the Board of Senior Officials, takes organisational decisions in relation to cooperation between the
entities, as part of its assignment allocated by the Government of Flanders.
We opt for a trim Government of Flanders that delivers better results with fewer but more targeted
resources. By 1 January 2015, a core tasks plan will be drafted for each policy area in which the
Government of Flanders operates, that specifies which of the current department and agency
activities are more or less essential for achieving policy objectives and guaranteeing the service.
Following the necessary political-civil service consultation, each area will produce a list of activities
to be phased out. The resources released as a result will be partly used in the necessary cost-
saving operations and, if possible, partly used to reinforce core tasks such as using computerisation
pathways.
We will continue to significantly reduce the number of staff members in the Government of Flanders
by introducing a selective replacement policy, which continues to focus on quality service provision.
We will improve internal mobility.
In addition to initial efforts to streamline the Management Support Services in the Government of
Flanders already decided by the previous Government of Flanders, we will use benchmarking to
achieve increased efficiency and a reduction in the number of staff members in the Management
Support Services. By the end of the legislative session, the maximum number of management support
service roles in the Government of Flanders must equal 6% of the total number of staff members,
without this leading to an increase in the number of staff members in other overhead roles.
With a strong focus on results-orientation, at the entity level as well as the over-arching level, we
recognise our administration as a crucial policy partner. Such a partnership requires a dynamic
interactive model between administration and government as well as trust in the administration’s
loyalty and expertise. We will bring compartmentalisation of the Government of Flanders to an
unequivocal end. Cooperation between government services and more intensive cooperation
between the administration and the government in relation to supported goals and solutions will
be the order of the day. The Government of Flanders will organise itself more effectively and speak
with one voice, thus offering citizens, enterprises, local authorities and associations more clarity
and security. Leading officials of the Flemish administration will be collectively and individually
responsible for promoting and monitoring compliance in this respect. We will tackle important,
major projects with temporary project organisations, with the participation of experts from the
various entities concerned, clear steering guidelines and adequate project resources. We will steer
major challenges that transcend ministerial authority areas using political-civil service project groups
supervised by ministerial committees.
We will merge a number of policy areas and reduce the number of entities and strategic advisory
councils (see the appendix: new organisational chart of the Government of Flanders).
By seeking opinions earlier by means of, for example, concept papers, we will organise a more
qualitative dialogue and accelerate the decision-making process. Green Papers and White Papers will
ensure wider participation, also by the Flemish Parliament.
We will reduce the planning burden associated with drafting and following up the annual strategic
plans. We will abolish management and administrative agreements except for the Flemish Public
Broadcaster, VRT, and the Flemish Public Transport Company - De Lijn, and we will integrate them in
the annual or multiannual strategic plans that constitute an operational translation of the objectives
in policy papers.
FUTURE-ORIENTED AND RADICALLY DIGITAL, WITHOUT BUREAUCRACY
We will improve the legislative quality and practical applicability of Flemish Parliament Acts and
implementing decrees in all areas. In doing so, we will adopt the principle that rules or Flemish
Parliament Acts that cause more problems and are more costly than the problems they solve must be
abolished.
We are committed to an integral approach to policy and service provision processes and will take
a major digital leap forward in this respect. By 2020, the Government of Flanders will offer all
administrative transactions between the government and citizens, local authorities and enterprises
via digital channels. To this end, we will approach our target groups as much as possible using a
virtual and digital counter. As a result of further digitisation, we will simplify government operations
in interactions with customers. In areas where this is not yet the case, internal and external processes
will be digitised and paper flows will be abolished. We will continue to invest in the application
of the MAGDA principle to achieve this: the government will not ask citizens and businesses for
any data it already possesses or that it can obtain from original data sources, whatever the
administration. We will merge a number of the Government of Flanders’ existing e-government and
information support services (Flemish e-Government Coordination Unit (Corve), Flanders Geographical
Information Agency (AGIV), Geographic Data Infrastructure (GDI), Flemish Services Integrator (VDI), the
1700 quick-dial number, information policy team and reporting desks). Open data will be the norm in
the Government of Flanders and accelerated in practice. In all these areas, we will constantly respect
and safeguard personal privacy and devote adequate attention to people that are not yet familiar
with new information technology.
We will organise several existing Flemish Parliament Acts (“decreet bestuurlijk beleid” (Flemish
Parliament Act on Administrative Policy), “decreet deugdelijk bestuur” (Flemish Parliament Act
on Quality Administration), “decreet openbaarheid van bestuur” (Flemish Parliament Act on Open
Government), “klachtendecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Complaints), “e-governmentdecreet”
(Flemish Parliament Act on e-government)) into a single “Vlaams Bestuursdecreet” (Flemish
Parliament Act on Flemish Administration). The basic principles of this new Flemish Parliament Act
will be the right to quality service provision and to digital services.
The Government of Flanders continues to be committed to sustainability and aims to act as a role
model in this respect. For our employees’ work environment, we will optimally strive for passive
constructions, reusable materials and the reuse of depreciated equipment and materials, sustainable
catering and facility management and maximum ease of use. With further digitisation, we will
encourage teleworking (PTOW) for employees, which has a positive effect on the work-life balance.
In our procurement policy, we aim to take greater steps towards full sustainability by striving for
pilot projects and innovative tenders and resolutely opting for solutions that have the least impact
on the environment throughout their entire lifecycle and that are, above all, socially and ethically
responsible.
ENTHUSIASTIC EMPLOYEES THANKS TO A MODERN HR POLICY
We will continue to implement the “Modern HR policy” key project adopted during the previous
legislative session. We will strive for a personnel policy that aims for proper remuneration (based on
job weighting within budgetary possibilities and in association with trade unions) and an effective
work-life balance. We will offer more possibilities for entry into the organisation based on skills
acquired elsewhere (EVC). We will streamline existing regulations for leave in the Government of
Flanders. In terms of diversity, we will work on ambitious but feasible targets by 2020. For people of
ethnic origin, we will change the definition by linking it to the Belgian nationality (instead of the EU15 nationality) and raise the target to 10%. We will raise the target to 40% for women in senior and
middle management roles. For the occupationally disabled, we will maintain the existing target of
3%, but we will increase efforts to effectively achieve this percentage.
In consultation with trade unions, we will work on a uniform status for all Government of Flanders
employees as well as on developing a second pension pillar for contractual employees.
In consultation with the trade unions, we will make it possible for services and agencies of the
Government of Flanders to enlist the help of temporary workers, under the same conditions as
businesses in the private sector. We will ensure that services provided to citizens by the Government
of Flanders are neutral and are experienced as such. Leading officials will ensure that especially civil
servants that come into contact with the public satisfy these requirements.
FLEMISH JUSTICE 1.0
We will ensure that the “Dienst van de Vlaamse bestuursrechtscolleges” (Flemish Administrative
Law Councils Service) becomes operational as quickly as possible. We will closely monitor the
Administrative Law Councils’ operations with the aim of administering justice quickly and efficiently.
We will take the necessary measures to enable the Administrative Law Councils to apply the
instrument of the administrative loop as soon as possible.
We will appoint a minister in the Government of Flanders who, in close consultation with his or her
colleagues responsible for the matters concerned, will exercise the positive right of injunction and
represent the Government of Flanders on the “College van Procureurs-Generaal” (Board of Procurators
General). We will translate the Government of Flanders’ policy priorities as quickly as possible into
directives for criminal policy.
We will ensure, at the initiative of the minister responsible for exercising the positive right of
injunction, increased efficiency, and more cooperation and coordination between all services for
which the roles involve enforcing Flemish regulations and curbing violations. We will also streamline
procedures in existing Flemish enforcement regulations.
GOVERNMENT HERITAGE AS AN ASSET
The Government of Flanders will implement a proactive and centrally steered property policy. The
entities of the Government of Flanders will work together and with local authorities to use and
develop government properties. If we take the initiative, we can increase the value of government
property and use it to fulfil social requirements, even if we opt for a public private partnership.
We will develop an “Onteigeningsdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Expropriation), to replace
the laws of 1835 and 1962, with simple and more legally secure procedures that do not lose sight
of the interests of the expropriating authority as well as those who are being expropriated. The
“Dijkendecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Dikes) will be retained. We recognise the right of private
individuals to personally achieve certain social objectives (such as housing or serviced industrial
estates) within a reasonable deadline and thus avoid expropriation. We will create an administrative
jurisdictional body, which will be part of the Flemish Administrative Law Boards Service, authorised
to settle disputes related to expropriation in a speedy and proper manner.
We will merge acquisition committees with the Government of Flanders’ “dienst Vastgoedakten”
(Service for Real Estate Deeds) and enlist the services of independent valuers, land surveyors and
notaries on a more systematic basis. We will record all property transactions and valuations of
government properties in a genuine database that can be consulted.
When the mandate of the current Flemish Government Architect ends, we will establish a
Government Architect Board that will have an advisory role in the Spatial Planning department. It
will consist of five part-time expert architects with a temporary mandate, which are (partly) selected
by architects in civil society. Each member of the board may provide advice for Government of
Flanders’ projects and to local authorities. The chairman of the Government Architect Board will
hold the title of Flemish Government Architect. We will review the Flemish Government Architect’s
instruments and team in relation to this new assignment in the Spatial Planning department. We
will continue to support and advise local authorities in implementing policy focused on spatial and
architectural quality.
III. BRUSSELS
Flanders resolutely chooses to continue to support Brussels and strengthen the link between Brussels
and Flanders. The Flemish Community will continue to invest in infrastructure and service provision
for Brussels residents. With this in mind, we will continue to adopt the Brussels norm, which means
that for its policy the Flemish Community will assume 30% of the Brussels population as its target
group and that 5% of the resources used for community powers will be used for policy in and for
Brussels. We will focus on facilities for childcare, healthcare, home and residential care. On an annual
basis, using a report by the existing civil service Task Force Brussels, we will examine, with the
Government of Flanders as a whole, the application of the Brussels norm and which measures, if
necessary, we will take to make adjustments as needed.
We opt for a correct application of the “Brussels test” as a policy instrument, which is used to test
all Flemish regulations in terms of their applicability in Brussels and the link between Brussels and
Flanders. Flemish Parliament Acts or regulations will be supplemented with “Brussels paragraphs” if
the test reveals this is necessary.
Brussels policy must constitute a deliberated and integrated policy. In this respect, the
relationship between the “Vlaamse Gemeenschap” (Flemish Community) and the “Vlaamse
gemeenschapscommissie” (VGC, Flemish Community Commission) is crucial. The latter is an
important partner in the policy of and for Brussels, an international city with metropolitan
functions. Therefore, we presuppose a partnership between the Flemish Community and the Flemish
Community Commission, with transparent steering lines and clear agreements defining their tasks.
The Flemish minister responsible for Brussels will systematically and in accordance with the law on
Brussels Institutions, participate in meetings of the Flemish Community Commission Board and the
“Gemeenschappelijke Gemeenschapscommissie” (GGC, Joint Community Commission Board) and will
also appoint a representative for meetings related to policy preparation. We will invite the Flemish
Parliament to organise regular joint meetings for the Brussels Committee and the “Raad van de
Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie” (Council of the Flemish Community Commission). We will also
enter into dialogue with Brussels’ local authorities and use specific options aimed at cooperation.
We will use the resources from the Brussels Fund, within the priorities defined by the Government
of Flanders and with complete transparency, to improve Dutch-language facilities in Brussels and
support suitable pilot projects.
In consultation with the Flemish Community Commission, we will design and launch a single
recognisable logo for Flemish institutions in Brussels (culture, welfare, etc.), which will be the symbol
for quality and open facilities for the Flemish community in Brussels, in line with the Flemish brands
policy and the existing logo for Dutch-language education in Brussels. We will use Muntpunt to
implement a campaign to increase awareness to show what the Flemish Community has to offer
in Brussels. Together with the Flemish Community Commission, we will connect as many Flemish
institutions and facilities in Brussels as possible in one chain, which refer to and promote each other
to the public. In this context, we will install local services for welfare, public health and family (WVG)
in Brussels.
Muntpunt is not only a library, but also a meeting place for Flemish people in the capital. It will
serve as a showcase for Flanders in Brussels. We will consistently meet the commitments made in
the cooperation partnership related to Muntpunt and expect the same from the Flemish Community
Commission. We will offer Muntpunt every opportunity to fulfil its role as an experience library,
information and communication centre and cultural visitor centre. We will ensure that Muntpunt
achieves its mission to develop a physical and virtual counter for providing information about
culture and leisure activities, education and training, well-being and health and working and living
in Brussels. Efforts will be made in terms of information architecture, supported by a database and
close cooperation with the stakeholders to enable Muntpunt to accomplish its mission.
We will ensure the appropriate trilingual (Dutch, French and English) reception policy for expats
in Brussels. We allocate Muntpunt the assignment to put this into practice. More generally, we
will use the possibilities Brussels offers with its high concentration of international and European
organisations, journalists, opinion-makers, etc. to profile Flanders internationally.
We will continue to invest in tourism in Brussels. One example is the Bruegel youth hostel in the city
centre, which will be renovated and extended. We will continue to promote Brussels as a leading
tourist destination abroad, as an arts city, alongside Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Mechelen and Leuven.
We will promote the “Brussel(s)” brand abroad and consistently link it to the “Vlaanderen/Flanders”
brand.
The cultural institutions managed and co-managed by the Government of Flanders (Muntpunt,
Ancienne Belgique, Kaaitheater, KVS, the Beursschouwburg, etc.) will be identified as Flemish
institutions in Brussels and recognised as ambassadors of Flemish cultural policy. They will also
be embedded in the wide Flemish Community in Brussels and will therefore structurally operate
alongside other Dutch-language actors from education for example, and the socio-cultural sector.
We will continue to allocate adequate resources for civic integration in Brussels and induction in
Dutch lessons. We will ask the new Agency for Civic Integration and Orientation to devote special
attention to civic orientation and integration in Brussels. We will continue to work hard to introduce
compulsory civic orientation in our capital, something that has been successfully applied for years
in the Flemish Region. We want to conclude a cooperation partnership as quickly as possible to
achieve this. As soon as this has been done, as a Flemish Community, we will also invest more in civic
integration in Brussels.
By implementing a language promotion policy and providing an adequate range of “Nederlands
Tweede Taal” (Dutch Second Language) facilities, we will increase knowledge and the use of Dutch
in Brussels. We will make clear agreements with the associations we support related to the use of
communication in Dutch. The objective is to achieve real and sustainable bilingualism in Brussels.
We will actively monitor compliance with language legislation in Brussels and provide support
to citizens that are victims of linguistic abuse in Brussels, especially in hospitals, social services
facilities (especially facilities recognised by the Joint Community Commission), as well as from the
police, fire services and local authorities. To do so, we will, among other things, use the services of
the “Steunpunt Taalwetwijzer” (Language Law Support Centre) and the Flemish Reporting Desk for
linguistic complaints in Brussels hospitals.
In Brussels, we will also work on adequate capacity expansion for nursery and compulsory
education so that families that turn to the Flemish Community are also able to actually find a place
for their children, and will count on the fact that the French Community also makes equivalent
efforts and we will consult on this matter.
We will develop a coordinated social and healthcare policy for Brussels, in consultation with all the
relevant partners.
For Flanders Day, we will organise a widely accessible 11 July celebration at the Grote Markt/Grand
Place in Brussels every year, creating a Flemish national festival with maximum visibility in the
media.
We will examine the possibility of establishing a Flemish sports centre in Brussels. We will encourage
and support Flemish-Brussels sports associations.
We want to engage in bilateral consultation with the government of the Brussels-Capital Region and,
if necessary, with the Walloon Region about cases related to, among other things, mobility, work
and spatial planning that concern both Regions, and to cooperate to tackle specific challenges that
emerge.
The Government of Flanders is committed to cooperating on the speedy renovation of the “Koninklijk
Muziekconservatorium” (Royal Conservatory of Brussels). The renovations will be carried out in
agreement with the conditions negotiated for this purpose between the Flemish Community, the
French Community and the Federal Government.
IV. FLEMISH PERIPHERY AROUND BRUSSELS
We will implement a sound policy to keep the nineteen municipalities of the Flemish Periphery
around Brussels liveable and green, and by extension the municipalities of the greater Periphery
region, which is confronted by “de-Dutchification”, internationalisation and urbanisation pressure
that impact land and house prices and result in mobility issues, special needs in terms of education,
childcare and social and welfare facilities, etc. This will be based on preserving the Dutch language
and the green character of the region and the openness towards other language speakers that
move to the Periphery and want to integrate there. We will forge a strong coalition to achieve this
ambition, firstly with the local authorities in the Flemish Periphery. We will focus on the Periphery
region’s municipalities that have united in the “Toekomstforum Halle-Vilvoorde” (Halle-Vilvoorde
Future Forum). We will use rural policy to devote adequate attention to the quality of life in parts of
the Periphery that have and must retain a rural character.
All actors will be involved in a global, integrated policy for inhabitants of the Flemish Periphery,
especially the Province of Flemish Brabant, the NPO De Rand, community centres, local authorities,
socio-cultural associations, etc.
In the integrated policy for residents of the Flemish Periphery, further efforts will be made in the
areas of education, employment services and route counselling for the unemployed, language
education and improving the range of social and healthcare facilities.
We will continue to work with Ring TV to involve the whole population in cultural, political and
social events in the Flemish Periphery.
We will implement an active and open reception and communication policy aimed at other language
speakers. To this end, we will work closely with all actors in the Periphery and with local authorities.
We will adhere to the principle of territoriality and to the status of Dutch as the governing
language, including in municipalities with linguistic facilities. We will act decisively if we find that
local authorities or representatives violate language legislation. We will continue to adhere to the
Government of Flanders’ principles that form the basis for circulars in communication from the
authorities to residents in municipalities with linguistic facilities: these municipalities fully belong to
the Dutch-language region and French-speaking residents must expressly request the application of
the linguistic facilities to which they are entitled.
On the basis of these powers to regulate language use in public governance we, will organise a
regulation via Flemish Parliament Act for language use in drafting notarial acts.
We will not ratify the “Minderhedenverdrag” (Framework Convention for the Protection of National
Minorities (FCNM)).
We will expand the possibilities for learning Dutch as a second language throughout the Flemish
Periphery, continuously monitor whether the options available are in line with demand and the
requirements and avoid waiting lists forming.
We will ensure that the NPO De Rand and the Agency for Civic Integration and Orientation work
effectively together and implement an innovative language promotion policy, the scope and results
of which are continuously monitored. We will convert the results of the first Flemish Periphery
Language Barometer into policy conclusions with specific measures for language policy and language
promotion policy in the Periphery.
We will increase efforts to align demand and supply on the labour market in the Flemish Periphery
by, among other things, boosting knowledge of Dutch among job seekers and by improving the
exchange of vacancies with other regions. Anyone that rejects a Dutch course will be sanctioned in
the same way they would if they reject any other course.
If local authorities in municipalities with linguistic facilities fail to take adequate initiatives or any at
all to support Dutch culture, sport and youth facilities, we will act with the NPO De Rand in their
place.
All facilities and services to which the Flemish Parliament Act on Quality applies will be organised so
that the customer or patient can count on the service being guaranteed in Dutch. The enforcement
policy strictly monitors respect for these essential quality requirements.
We will continue the supporting policy that was adopted together with the “Afbakening Vlaams
Strategisch Gebied” (Delimitation of Flemish Strategic Area) around Brussels, the “Gemeentelijk
Ruimtelijk Uitvoeringsplan” (GRUP, Regional Spatial Implementation Plan). In this context, we will
focus our efforts on achieving more accessible green space (parks, forests, accessible nature areas,
etc.) in the Flemish Periphery. By the end of the legislative session, we must create 1,000 hectares
of additional, accessible green space. We will ensure close monitoring of this supporting policy by
the coordination platform chaired by the Governor of Flemish Brabant and will ask the governor to
regularly report to the Government of Flanders on this matter and to flag any potential bottlenecks.
We will use the reports to examine how the situation evolves and which adjustments must be made
with the Government of Flanders as a whole, at least once a year, and issue reports on the matter in
the Flemish Parliament.
We will continue the START project, applying the basic principle that the airport is a major driving
force for growth and jobs and must remain as such. We will bundle consultation that takes place
in the START platform with consultation in the Flemish Strategic Area around Brussels (VSGB)
coordination platform.
We will implement the land use planning programme for the Flemish Periphery adopted during the
previous legislative session and allocate the necessary related funds.
We will take initiatives to make living affordable for inhabitants of the Periphery and to counteract
displacement. We will continue to take the necessary legally certain measures that give precedence
to candidate purchasers and tenants that already have ties to the local area.
The Government of Flanders will fulfil its commitment with regard to the transfer of power related
to implementing a specific land and housing policy for Flemish Brabant to the Province of Flemish
Brabant and will take the necessary measures and follow-up measures in this respect, including
establishing the “Grond- en Woonbeleid voor Vlaamse-Brabant” (Investment Fund for Land and
Housing Policy for Flemish
Brabant).
We will tackle trailing social and healthcare facilities in the Flemish Periphery. We will use a new
instrument “Vlabzorginvest” (Investment Fund for Care for Flemish Brabant) to make land available
for the development of new care initiatives and free up the necessary capital.
We will increase the range of facilities to eliminate the trailing linguistic skills of other languagespeaking children and their parents in schools in the Periphery.
We will comprehensively tackle mobility issues in the Flemish Periphery. The necessary public works
will be carried out to once more achieve a smooth flow of traffic. We will invest in roadworks,
cycling infrastructure and public transport.
We want to conduct bilateral consultation with the government of the Brussels-Capital Region about
cases related to mobility, work and spatial planning that concern both regions, and cooperate to
address specific challenges that arise in these areas.
We will give the new Gordel Festival every opportunity, as a family sporting event; it will showcase
the Flemish Periphery in all its positive (as well as tourist) aspects. Subsequent editions of the Gordel
Festivals will focus more than ever on the Dutch-language and green character of the Flemish
Periphery. The Gordel Festival strives for as much involvement from the municipalities as possible.
We will continue to invest in cultural infrastructure in the Periphery. We will examine the feasibility
of establishing, together with public and private partners, an additional cultural centre with a
supralocal character in the southern Periphery and of developing additional sports infrastructure in
the Flemish Periphery.
We will invest in developing tourism in the Flemish Periphery around Brussels by, among other
things, more targeted investments in improved access to domains managed by the Government of
Flanders such as Gaasbeek Castle, the Botanic Garden Meise and the Sonian Forest.
V. ECONOMY AND INNOVATION
VISION
We will reinforce innovation and entrepreneurship as the economic slipstream in Flanders in order
to maintain economic growth and well-being in the region. We want to excel as a knowledge-driven
growth region. Innovation and entrepreneurship must deliver dynamic growth and job creation in
a competitive, international environment. Innovation and entrepreneurship are the ultimate levers
for sustainable solutions for major social challenges related to the environment, energy, care and
inclusion. This economic and innovation policy aims to develop new future-oriented economic
activities and strengthen existing activities. It is a policy of “backing winners” or potential winners
and not of stubbornly clinging on (with state aid) to the economy of the past.
Anyone who starts his or her own business or runs an enterprise takes a risk and assumes
responsibility. We want to reward and support this because enterprise creates added value and
jobs, provides income and profit, and generates well-being and prosperity. Authorities must give out
the signal that they value enterprises and entrepreneurs through the cultivation of entrepreneurial
spirit among young people, by supporting entrepreneurs and the self-employed and by acting in a
business-friendly manner and placing as little administrative burden as possible on the shoulders of
the self-employed and entrepreneurs.
This is why, during this legislative session, we will resolutely strive for the following three basic
principles:
•
A demand-driven and market-driven government policy related to the economy and innovation
that promotes trust, values and boosts enterprise, provides legal certainty for successful
enterprise and generates employment opportunities in Flanders;
•
Simplified and streamlined structures and instruments with faster and simpler procedures, more
•
Greater focus on business-oriented innovation and valorisation, sound knowledge institutions
transparency and customer-friendliness and an unambiguous single counter function;
with excellent research and a growth path for the 3% norm for R&D in which we strive for 1%
public expenditure by 2020.
To shape this vigorous policy, we will apply the principles of customer-friendliness and efficient
administration. We will clearly position public bodies and organise them efficiently. We will lower the
barriers for companies to access information and state aid and simplify the instrument mix for more
effectiveness with less hassle. We will reduce the government apparatus. We recognise the added
value of partnerships and project operations, but we will streamline intermediate structures and
reduce fragmentation. We will also use economic and innovation policy to encourage other policy
areas to become more enterprise-focused and value innovation more. We will organise the merged
“Agentschap Ondernemen” and IWT into the only enterprise counter, the Government of Flanders’
front office to which the entrepreneur can address all his or her questions.
We are counting on the fact that each policy level (federal as well as local authority) will
assume responsibility for creating a favourable business climate. Vigorous federal policy must be
implemented, especially in areas such as cost competitiveness for lower wage and energy costs.
We will use public resources for the economy and innovation as efficiently as possible to achieve
a maximum leverage effect and valorisation and marketing. Innovation resources will be used
according to the excellence principle. Every public euro invested in R&D must ensure a multiplier
effect that attracts private investment in R&D. The marketing, valorisation and commercialisation of
research and innovation reinforce our economic fabric. Economic and innovation policy will therefore
resolutely focus on transforming the industrial fabric and the growth of Flemish SMEs.
We will use quantified and supported long-term objectives, which are comparable on an
international level, as a compass for policy. We will continue to strive to achieve our commitments
regarding the Flemish Reform Programme Europe 2020 and the Pact 2020. We will update the
indicators in relation to the modified external circumstances following consultation with “SociaalEconomische Raad van Vlaanderen” (SERV, Flanders Social and Economic Council) and “De Verenigde
Verenigingen” (The United Associations).
We will continue to build on the achievements of “Vlaanderen in Actie” (Flanders in Action), spread
the good practices and success stories of the previous legislative session and implement a long-term
policy to accelerate the necessary transitions in our society such as in industry, managing materials
and energy, mobility and care. This requires system innovations in which we value the input of social
stakeholders (social partners, business community, innovative players, the wider civil society and so
on). This also requires ministers to cooperate across policy areas and levels, allocated resources and
vigorous transition management. We will also allocate a separate budget for the selected transitions
and a minister responsible for each transition. To this end, the Government of Flanders will draft a
cross-cutting policy memorandum in which the roadmap for achieving the transitions will be drawn
up to 2040.
NEW INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE AND CLUSTER POLICY
Objectives
The Government of Flanders aims to further develop new industrial enterprise as an ambitious and
mobilising project. Using a targeted cluster policy, which is entrepreneur-driven (entrepreneurial
discovery), we will accelerate the transformation of our economic fabric and reinforce the
knowledge-driven character of the economy. We will make clear choices for specific sectors and
clusters that are consistent with the strengths of Flemish industry and knowledge institutions and
with which we can make a difference on an international level. For this purpose we will provide
instruments in economic and innovation policy as well as suitable supporting policy for a flexible
labour market, quick and simple procedures and targeted investments in infrastructures. The cluster
policy is the springboard for addressing the innovation paradox in Flanders and focusing more on
marketing innovation.
Specific actions
•
The basis of the industrial policy is a realistic growth path for R&D. We will use additional
resources in a balanced manner for targeted and non-targeted research. We define targeted
industrial policy as primarily industrial. Our ambition is still to achieve the 3% norm for R&D by
2020; therefore we will strive for 1% public expenditure.
•
Using a smart specialisation strategy we will develop a programmatic and results-oriented
approach for innovation and marketing; this will also form the basis for streamlining the
innovation landscape.
•
We will support the continued development of Strategic Research Centres (Imec (Interuniversity
MicroElectronics Center), VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research), VIB (Flanders
Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology), iMinds, the smart manufacturing industry) and
encourage more valorisation and cooperation with the business community. We will implement
Strategic Innovation Platforms (SIPs) that can evolve into Strategic Research Centres for
Sustainable Chemistry (FISCH) and for the agri-food industry. We will also continue to develop
the relevant transitions related to energy, care innovation (Flanders’ Care) and sustainable
materials. We will ensure structural involvement by specialist ministers to achieve cross-policy
operations.
•
We will conclude cluster pacts with partners that group around innovative value chains. These
partners will work in a triple helix or golden triangle with companies, knowledge centres and
the government. In these cluster pacts, we will conclude agreements on a long-term strategy,
mutual efforts in terms of R&D, internationalisation, valorisation, and knowledge sharing and
diffusion to SMEs. Clusters must also provide a triple leverage for achieving the 3% norm in
which financing in the context of the cluster pact also leads to bottom-up research funds at the
partners’ initiative and the use of EU funds as part of Horizon 2020.
•
We will extend the support path to developments closer to the market (such as demos, pilot
plants, test grounds and proof of concept) within the possibilities of R&D&I regulations. We will
also focus economic support on the objective to improve marketing for innovation. We will also
examine the possibilities of focusing resources for economic policy more on R&D.
•
We will increase the chances of success for projects and mandates at the IWT. We will improve
•
We will provide “strategic innovation support” (in addition to Strategic Transformation Support
the turnaround time for IWT cases and make the procedures simpler and more transparent.
and Strategic Environmental Support) to underpin FIT’s focus strategy to attract targeted foreign
investments.
•
We will develop a policy related to digital infrastructures and networks. This will ensure that
Flanders is able to valorise opportunities offered by, for example, the Internet of Things, Cloud
computing and big data in industrial terms and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution
(Industry 4.0). We will support the anchoring of the chemical sector by, for example, working
with the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia, avoiding (indirect) carbon leakage by
compensating operating costs and developing the Bluechem incubator as an ERDF project. We
will also encourage the development of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector.
•
Vigorous implementation and monitoring of SALK, the Strategic Action Plan for Limburg Squared,
is vital if we are to achieve the desired results. We will evaluate the SALK in mid-2015 and
maintain our focus on attracting new projects that provide jobs in the private sector, economic
growth and entrepreneurship. What’s more, we will provide an effective service in the field.
•
We will continue to support the reconversion of the Opel site as “TechCity Antwerp”, implement
the adopted federal support zones around Genk and Turnhout and keep the option open to
designate two more support zones elsewhere in Flanders.
•
In order to develop our region as an innovative mobile logistics growth pole, we elect to more
effectively align the various support initiatives related to sustainable logistics and mobility. We
will ensure an integrated support, research and knowledge policy by establishing a SIP that can
evolve into a Strategic Research Centre (SRC). Given the policy framework for the SIPs, in addition
to universities, the “Vlaams Instituut voor Mobiliteit” (VIM, Flanders Institute for Mobility) and the
“Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek” (VIL, Flanders Institute for Logistics) also play a vital role in
this respect. Both organisations will work together in a targeted manner. They will encourage,
develop and test innovative mobility and logistics concepts, with the aim of achieving
sustainable, multimodal logistic transport flows. This will allow a specific knowledge base to
be developed, implemented and disseminated with all companies operating in the logistics and
transport sector.
•
As an independent sounding board, we will also use this policy to revalue the role of the
industrial council. We will ensure a pure composition with only industrialists and clear
positioning with regard to strategic advisory councils.
•
We want to assume a pioneering international role and influence the EU agenda using the
Vanguard Initiative and the EU Competitiveness Council. We will respond to more international
initiatives and European research programmes. We will make funding possible at the Flemish
level with minimal additional administrative burden for promising industrial projects that are
not eligible due to major European or international competition.
SME-ORIENTED INNOVATION POLICY
Objectives
Industrial innovation is largely performed by new and young Flemish companies. Therefore,
innovation policy must give preference to SMEs. We want to tackle the trailing performance of
SMEs in terms of innovation, provide them with more support and improved access to government
instruments. This will result in greater involvement of SMEs in financial innovation aid. Unleashing
the innovation potential in the broad SME landscape also offers major economic opportunities.
Specific actions
We will achieve a breakthrough in involving SMEs in innovation policy and the resources that are
provided to SMEs with low threshold project support tailored to SMEs (such as for feasibility studies,
projects, intellectual property and research infrastructure). We will also devote specific attention to
our family businesses and make support instruments available as much as possible to independent
retailers, liberal professions, care professions and SMEs.
•
We will reinforce the spillover effect of innovation in large international enterprises. To do so, we
will develop an innovation instrument that stimulates cooperation between these enterprises
and SMEs and contributes to a more balanced distribution of public research funds between
SMEs and large enterprises. This must breed a culture of open innovation, bolster SMEs and
anchor foreign branches in a network of partners in Flanders.
•
We will improve knowledge dissemination to SMEs and innovation followers. We will ensure
optimal alignment of Local and Accessible Expertise and Service Centres (LEDs) in colleges of
higher education and the IWT’s VIS (Flemish Innovation Partnerships) projects.
INVESTING IN AN EXCELLENT KNOWLEDGE BASE
Objectives
In addition to targeted research, we will also reinforce the knowledge base in Flanders using nontargeted scientific research. Fundamental scientific research often provides the basis for future radical
breakthroughs and economic revolutions. We will aim for nothing short of excellence in terms of
higher education, researchers and research infrastructure and in terms of internationalisation. We will
achieve a breakthrough with more people in STEM education and professions.
Specific actions
•
We will boost research resources for higher education, including project-based scientific
research (PWO) and we will maintain the existing transparent funding system. We will promote
cooperation between higher education and the business community and encourage cross-sector
research collaboration.
•
We will increase the chance of success for projects and mandates in the Fund for Scientific
•
We will develop a strategy for researchers and other knowledge workers, with a focus on career
Research (FWO) and make procedures simpler and more transparent.
aspects, flexible labour, attracting foreign talent, mobility from and to industry, transition and
multidisciplinary training. We will develop a system of innovation traineeships.
•
•
We will support open data and open access to open up datasets and promote spillover effects.
We will continue to invest in research infrastructure (such as ESFRI - European Strategy Forum
on Research Infrastructures) and the supercomputer. We will provide a formula to achieve
increased ease of use to this support for companies.
•
We will implement a STEM policy with increased vigour with the aim of getting more people into
•
education and professions. We will apply the resources for scientific communication as much as
•
We will implement a proactive policy around Flemish scientific institutions. We will also provide
STEM
possible in this area and provide a key role for FTI-Technopolis as a knowledge centre.
new premises for the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) so that the new fish market can be
developed in Ostend.
•
We will implement a clear internationalisation strategy for education and research. We will make
optimal use of the possibilities offered by European programmes. We will also take initiatives to
respond to Massive Open Online Courses for our world-class institutions.
•
We will work together with the federal government for tax exemption for researchers, the
“Belgisch Ruimtevaart Bureau” (Belgian Space Agency) and new taxation measures to stimulate
innovation (tax shelter, deduction for licenses, etc.). We will urge the federal government to
expand the basis and scope of application of the favourable tax measures for R&D to a broader
group of knowledge workers and SMEs with improved involvement of the regions’ innovation
agencies.
VALUING AND STIMULATING ENTREPRENEURS
Objectives
An innovative, economic dynamic relies on an entrepreneurial culture. Entrepreneurs are the ones
that convert knowledge and technology into products that they then market to customers. Without
entrepreneurship, there is no value creation and no jobs. We will encourage an entrepreneurial
culture with more esteem for the economic and social impact of SMEs. We will promote
entrepreneurship, start-ups and more passion for knowledge and additional growth. We will support
SMEs during crucial phases and ensure that failure carries no stigma. We will implement a framework
policy for entrepreneurs’ skills, industrial sites and lively shopping centres.
Specific actions
•
Using targeted initiatives in the media and education, we will disseminate Flemish success
stories and good practices and create a positive attitude towards entrepreneurial spirit and
entrepreneurship. To do so, we will make comprehensive agreements in the Flemish Public
Broadcaster’s objectives and the management agreement. We will provide a special status for
student entrepreneurs.
•
We will roll out the “right to a business plan” using “Agentschap Ondernemen” start-up
initiatives. We will retain Syntra’s main role in entrepreneurship training. We will implement a
policy for high potential entrepreneurs just starting out, including spin-offs and spin-outs. We
will devote special attention to target groups and the issue of succession and acquisition.
•
We will continue efforts related to international growth. We will optimise the Gazelle Leap and
•
We will work hard on preventing poverty among the self-employed and bankruptcy prevention.
recruitment subsidies and we will examine a scholarship system for international traineeships.
We will merge EFREM and Tussenstap. If the SERVE cannot reach a consensus, we will abolish the
“Comité Preventief Bedrijfsbeleid” (PBB, Preventive Company Policy Committee).
•
We will merge the different initiatives for entrepreneurship and innovation in the cultural and
creative sectors in a single ecosystem. To this end, “Agentschap Ondernemen” will draft the
strategy that will ensure simplification and streamlining in the landscape. We will also improve
ease of access to existing support instruments for these sectors. We will implement business
licensing legislation for access to professions and the examination board with “Agentschap
Ondernemen” as the coordinator. We will update the conditions in consultation with the sectors.
•
We will continue to map the supply and demand for industrial sites and provide the necessary
loans for developing sites. We will further develop activation teams and the approach of
brownfield sites using the brownfield conventions. We will work on the economy related to
incompatibility with applicable zoning rules.
•
We will develop policy related to bolstering nuclei and we will finally adopt the “Integraal
Handelsvestigingsbeleid” (Flemish Parliament Act on Integral Retail Location Policy), taking into
account the formulated recommendations. We will operationalise the selected instruments
case (UPRs/regulations for designating shopping centre locations and areas with a shortage
of shops, retail regulations, trade conventions, optimally integrated license, etc.) with a view
to implementing an integrated trade location policy. We will prepare traders for the challenges
involved in online trade.
•
We will integrate the federal income compensation payment with the interest subsidy for
inconvenience during public works into a single measure that supports traders that need it
economically. Compulsory closure will be abolished.
AN ENTREPRENEUR-FRIENDLY GOVERNMENT
Objectives
We will strive to be an entrepreneur-friendly government. The entities involved in policy for the
economy, enterprise, science and innovation will be integrated much more intensely at the strategic
level and in terms of service provision for companies. We will use the opportunities of e-government
and partnerships; we will streamline and simplify structures and align instruments.
Specific actions
•
We will achieve a unique policy vision and steering with a single Flemish Minister for the
Economy and Innovation. We will empower the Economy, Science and Innovation Policy
Area management committee to achieve increased cooperation and where necessary we will
implement the recommendations made in the Soete reports.
•
We will create a new “Agentschap voor Ondernemen en Innovatie” (AOI) that will integrate the
merger of “Agentschap Ondernemen” and the IWT. We will align these entities’ instruments to
arrive at an integrated support framework with the aim of increasing customer-friendliness and
improved access. We will transform the IWT’s Governing Council into an advisory committee
for the new AOI. We will merge the Hercules Foundation and the Fund for Scientific Research
- Flanders and we will examine which IWT tasks could be better integrated in the Fund for
Scientific Research - Flanders.
•
We will ensure that instruments, procedures and processes are better aligned. Overlaps will be
•
We will optimise the synergy between the front-office functions of the new AOI, PMV and FIT
scrapped or redistributed.
into a unified customer management for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs, including independent
retailers, will be approached using a joint strategy with an integrated toolbox including
instruments for enterprise, innovation, funding, growth and internationalisation.
•
•
We will rationalise the landscape of intermediate structures at the level of entrepreneurship as
well as innovation.
•
•
•
•
•
We will reinforce successful initiatives where possible,
We will achieve synergy and consolidation where necessary and useful,
We will phase out initiatives with a temporary mission or overlapping initiatives,
We will abolish initiatives that are not effective or that offer little (economic) value,
We will adopt a clear “phase out clause” (sunset) for new temporary initiatives.
We will focus on developing the integrated e-counter for entrepreneurs as a government-wide
project and will implement the electronic transaction options as quickly as possible, particularly
with regard to licenses. The “once and single sign on” principle will be implemented in this
respect. All policy areas will be involved.
•
We will implement a service function for priority policy themes and use entrepreneur
organisations and other players to stimulate, advise and support companies. We will provide a
transparent funding method with quality and additionality guarantees, which is demand-driven
and output monitoring. We will also increase the value of the role of economic liberal professions
as partners for disseminating government information to SMEs and the self-employed.
•
We will develop an ambitious and innovative plan for innovative purchasing and procurement.
In doing so, we will support marketing activities for innovation and growth opportunities,
especially among SMEs. We will impose a minimum standard on the policy areas and use the role
of the government as an early adopter.
•
We will encourage a more proportionate presence of the Flemish business community in various
•
In order to better listen to the wishes and needs of Flemish entrepreneurs, we will involve the
administrative and advisory bodies.
Flemish business community in drafting the policy. Therefore, we will organise consultation with
relevant economic players and actors.
•
We will monitor taxation burdens and administrative simplification for our enterprises. We will
implement a deterrent policy that eliminates the barriers for entrepreneurship. We will encourage
local authorities to draft an enterprise-friendly strategy.
•
We will use systematic policy evaluation with regard to non-targeted innovation policy,
industrial innovation policy as well as economic and funding policy. We will periodically quantify
the impact of instruments and measure whether the objectives are being reached. In doing so,
we will not only take account of performance indicators but also of continuous functionality in
light of Flanders’ general strategy for the economy, enterprise, science and innovation.
FUNDING AND INVESTMENTS FOR COMPANIES
Objectives
The various entities that make up the Flemish government apparatus have their own objective:
The PMV fulfils the funding gap (in addition to performing activities related to real estate and
infrastructure and public private partnerships), the VPM anchors the GIMV and supports the latter’s
activities that focus on Flanders and the LRM specifically focuses on supporting and facilitating
economic activities in the Province of Limburg.
We will optimise the economic government apparatus, create efficiency gains and synergies, define
clear objectives and avoid overlaps. We will avoid multiple subsidies or shareholding involving the
PMV and LRM for the same infrastructure, companies or activities, by developing a subsidy and
shareholding database. New shareholding can be implemented on the condition that it has a clear
policy-based added value or strategic importance. New shareholding requires a realistic business
plan, with an expected return that is consistent with a competitive return in the sector concerned.
Specific actions
•
We will pay the capital increase to PMV and examine whether we can release additional capital
funds so that PMV can also invest higher amounts in relation to the equity gap, in accordance
with the broader options offered by EU rules. We will also expand the SOFI funds for spin-offs.
•
We will assess the TINA fund for wider application of the instrument in the context of the
•
We will also effectively monitor the impact of Basel III and respond where useful with the
targeted cluster policy.
appropriate instruments (cf. Gigarant reform). We will also anchor the credit provider in the
“Agentschap Ondernemen en Innovatie”.
•
We will develop a sound Flemish Shareholding Fund that we will optimally align with the
PMV’s instruments and structures. At the beginning of 2015, we will provide a capital increase in
addition to management compensation, yet to be defined. We will evaluate the credit policy and
the cost structure and, on this basis, we will examine whether additional capital is required. We
will expand route counselling for entrepreneurs.
•
We will examine how we can make the win-win loan even more appealing and ensure that it
can be used more extensively in terms of amounts, interest and investment forms (shareholding
in addition to loans). We will also connect the win-win loan to crowdfunding, for projects with a
clear economical added value.
•
The LRM will concentrate on supporting the implementation of the SALK to provide new
economic activity with employment in Limburg. It does so in a professional and independent
manner. Its main objective is to support the creation of new employment, entrepreneurship and
economic growth in Limburg.
VI. WORK AND THE SOCIAL ECONOMY
The Flemish labour market is facing major challenges. The employment rate must rise and supply
and demand must be brought closer together. The increasing aging population and economic
transformations demand alternative, sometimes, new skills. Therefore, it is important that all
available talent in Flanders is used and that, on average, more people work for longer in more
workable careers. We will focus on individual talent and ambition using a career-based approach. We
will also fully support people who are extremely distanced from the labour market in their search for
work.
The key is increased customisation in guidance and support for job seekers and workers and a
far-reaching competence policy in enterprises. This vision requires a change in traditional thinking
among employers as well as workers, from job certainty to career certainty. Therefore, we want to
support people in their career so that they can make the transition from unemployment to work,
and from family to work, and to steer their career where necessary.
We will use all existing and new powers in a coherent and effective manner in order to effectively
achieve the ambitious employment rate target of 76% by 2020. To follow-up the career agreement,
we will develop a Job Pact between the Government of Flanders and the social partners. We will
then consult with the federal government on aspects that fall under federal powers.
The sixth state reform transfers a number of powers related to work to Flanders. The Government
of Flanders and the federal government will continue to be responsible for employment policy in
their own domains. To implement a successful activation and competence policy, it is important that
the vision developed by the Government of Flanders, together with the Flemish social partners, is
reinforced with the instruments available to the federal government. We will conclude a cooperation
partnership to this effect.
EVERYONE WORKS
In consultation with the social partners, the activation policy will be reinforced by continuing to
pursue customisation and competence-based matching.
To increase the number of shortage vacancies and shortage occupations filled, job seekers will
undergo better screening before starting any training and there will be more on-the job training
courses and traineeships. This will improve job seekers’ skills in relation to the needs of the labour
market and in relation to the careers of those concerned. This will increase the number of people
entering employment following a shortage occupation training course. By the end of this legislative
session we will double the number of on-the-job training courses and traineeships. To do so, we will
actively work with all employers (private and public), sectors and sectoral training partners.
We will continue to expand competence-based matching to various partners in the labour market to
better align supply and demand, as well as to improve employability for all job seekers.
The various educational and public training systems must be used in a more complementary fashion
in relation to the labour market and career needs. From the point of view of efficiency, structural
cooperation in terms of training infrastructure will be encouraged between all parties.
Everyone that can participate in the labour market will do so, all within the limits of his or her
capabilities. In principle, anyone who is able to work in the traditional labour market will do so, with
or without support. Others want to be self-employed. For some people subsidised employment in the
traditional economy is not possible and the social economy is the most appropriate option for them.
For certain people (e.g. those with a medical, mental, psychological, psychiatric problem or people in
poverty) it is difficult to take the step towards (paid) work immediately. For these people, together
with the welfare policy area, we will gradually implement the “decreet werken zorgtrajecten”
(Flemish Parliament Act on Work and Care Programmes) within existing budgetary possibilities.
We will invest in filling jobs using a Flemish target group policy. Given that we presuppose a federal,
structural, linear wage costs reduction, we will stimulate recruitment and keep certain target groups,
who are more distanced from the labour market, in work. We will perform drastic simplification
to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our target group policy. We will limit the number
of measures to three target groups, namely young people, those aged fifty-five and older and the
occupationally disabled. This will allow us to create additional scope to lower wage costs for these
target groups and thus increase their chances on the labour market. We will effectively establish this
reform following consultation with the social partners.
We will convert measures that focus on subsidised employment into employment instruments in
the public and private sector (including at the local level) that promote inflows and outflows of job
seekers. Herein we will provide one system of temporary work experience in which the following
measures, among others, will be (partly) integrated: local employment offices (PWA), Article 60§7 and
Article 61, GESCOs and WEP+.
The PWA system will be drastically reformed as part of the new temporary work experience
programme. We will focus on activating the long-term unemployed by offering them temporary
work experience at the local level. Local authorities will naturally be involved in this matter.
Existing PWA workers will be redirected, where possible, to existing instruments or to the new work
experience programme; others can remain in the system until they leave or retire. The employment
measures in Article 60, §7 and Article 61 will be incorporated in the Flemish activation policy with
the aim of activating more people on income support. The Flemish Parliament Act on Work and
Care Programmes provides the framework for this. OCMW clients with a purely welfare issue will be
supported by the OCMW. OCMW clients for whom an integral approach to non-labour market-related
problems and support for finding employment is feasible will be steered towards an activation
course. The Flemish Service for Employment and Vocational Training (VDAB) will work on structural
cooperation partnerships with the OCMWs, which can be supplemented with other actors at the
local level.
We will regularise subsidised contract employees (GESCOs) in local authorities by transferring 95% of
the relevant wage subsidy and the National Office for Social Security discount (RSZ-korting) to the
staff budget of the local authority concerned with the aim of regularising the employment situation.
For other GESCOs, we will provide three options in consultation with the policy areas involved: (1)
regularisation of the employment situation by the current employer or policy area concerned with
a transfer of 95% of the relevant wage subsidy and the National Office for Social Security discount;
(2) a switch to a temporary work experience programme that is optimally aligned to transition into
a normal job; (3) current employers phasing out these employees by not replacing them when they
leave or retire. Subsidies related to a target group discount or to support or training in the workplace
will, where possible, be linked to an individual using the rucksack principle (depending on his or
her distance from the labour market). This will allow us to offer the same support to employers
regardless of the sector or type of organisation concerned and we will avoid oversubsidisation
and achieve individual customisation in addition to collective customisation by reforming existing
instruments.
We will start - as planned - at the beginning of 2015, by implementing the “decreet Maatwerk”
(Flemish Parliament Act on Collective Customisation) and the “decreet Lokale Diensteneconomie”
(Flemish Parliament Act on Local Services Economy) and by devoting special attention to transition
routes. We will evaluate the Flemish Parliament Acts on Customisation and Local Services Economy
to ascertain, for example, the achieved flows and their sustainability, the duration of the processes
and improvement of individual workers’ skills and effects on the organisations and we will perform
adjustments where necessary. When implementing the Flemish Parliament Act on Customisation, we
will strive for maximum synchronisation of all government interventions. We will provide a limited
growth path for the social economy. We will improve the efficiency of the Social Investment Fund
(SIFO).
Future Flemish activation policy will focus on the following points:
•
Young people and particularly unqualified school leavers: in consultation with the education
policy area, we will continue efforts to achieve improved synergy between education and the
labour market and to remedy early school leaving. We will guarantee customised job or training
offers for all young job seekers within four months: personal support in their search for a job,
intensive guidance, vocational training or (temporary) work experience. We will continue to
apply individual vocational training (IBO) and other forms of workplace learning such as the
Wij! projects for unqualified school leavers/young people. Lastly, we will boost recruitment and
the sustainable employability of low-skilled young people by reducing costs related to their
employment and by improving their skills.
•
The long-term unemployed: the basic principle here is that the long-term unemployed must
continue to be involved in the labour market as much as possible and not become socially
isolated. We will create one system of temporary work experience that is open to all employers
with the objective of acquiring skills and work experience in a genuine work environment.
Community service can be considered as work experience. In addition, we will expand the range
of support in the workplace to employees that emerge from long-term unemployment.
•
People aged fifty-five and older: we will extend the activation of older job seekers to the age of
sixty-five, taking into account the VDAB’s capacity and the labour market situation. Furthermore,
we will provide one target group discount to reduce wage costs for employment of people aged
fifty-five and over.
•
In response to the latent labour reserve, specifically persons re-entering the labour market,
inactive persons as a result of (temporary) illness, people in poverty and single parents. For these
people we will undertake specific actions to increase awareness and induction.
•
We will use the activation and competences policy to improve the labour market position
of immigrant job seekers. Therefore, we will focus more on an integrated language policy,
competence-reinforcing actions and specific induction and work experience projects for
low-skilled young people, with a particular focus on the urban issue. We will also combat
discrimination in the labour market, in preventive as well as corrective terms.
We are reinforcing the monitoring and testing of unemployed people’s availability. In consultation
with the federal government we will refine the normative framework for regulation related to
suitable involvement, active search behaviour, administrative control and sanctions.
The VDAB will be able to implement these powers more efficiently by fully integrating its
customisation-based mediation and support model. The VDAB that supports the job seeker will also
be responsible for monitoring job search behaviour. If a job seeker makes inadequate efforts or does
not respect agreements, a sanction will be imposed by a separate body within the VDAB, which will
guarantee its neutrality and independence. Implementation will take account of the labour courts’
geographic embedding. The exemption from monitoring regarding availability for the labour market
is only possible for a VDAB recognised route to work (including a recognised training course or route
to entrepreneurship). The VDAB will update the framework of rights and obligations for job seekers,
the employer and mediation service and communicate in a clear and transparent manner.
We will continue the different roles of the VDAB; namely that of career actor and orchestrator.
In its role as career orchestrator the service can call on the complementary expertise of private
companies and non-profit organisations or its own services for training and guiding job seekers and
employers in relation to the efficiency and effectiveness of the service. Job seekers can decide which
services and which organisation they will call on for support, mediation and training as part of their
established route to work.
Flanders will work on a labour migration policy that will be part of a global Flemish labour market
policy. The Flemish labour market does not stop at our borders. Cooperation with Wallonia, Brussels,
neighbouring countries and the rest of Europe is recommended.
We must first focus on activating the available labour reserve, as well as increasing interregional
mobility with Brussels and Wallonia.
Work must also be made of an active labour migration policy for employers and the self-employed,
which is aligned to the specific needs of the Flemish labour market. We will provide a flexible
inflow of highly educated employees, as well as of mid-skilled employees using a dynamic shortage
occupation list. The new framework resulting from the Single Permit Directive must be transparent,
simple and offer legal certainty, taking into account combined work and residence permits.
MORE ROBUST CAREERS
If we want workers to stay in work for longer we must ensure that they find themselves in a job
that they enjoy, in which they can use their skills, learn and continue to work with pleasure. We
will therefore concentrate on valorising each talent and on developing skills, focusing on workable
careers. This will improve access to the labour market and lead to a higher employment rate with
proportional labour participation.
We will combat discrimination in the labour market to offer all talent opportunities. However, the
possibilities for conducting these efforts at the Flemish level are limited. In consultation with the
Flemish social partners we will launch information campaigns that inform victims and witnesses
of their rights and increase awareness of how to report cases to the competent bodies. In the fight
against discrimination in job placement activities we will implement, in consultation with the
actors involved, a preventive and awareness-increasing campaign. The inspectorate will define the
appropriate action in the event of a violation.
Workers must be encouraged to take control of their careers. Anyone who needs guidance in
this respect can benefit from professional support from a career coach using the system of career
counselling vouchers. Companies must also take additional measures to make long-term use of the
available talent in Flanders. One of the main pillars for keeping pace with the current and future
labour market is investing in training. Employers, authorities as well as workers have a responsibility
in this area.
We will implement a coherent policy for labour market-oriented training. This involves the
integration of several existing instruments (training vouchers, paid educational leave and training
credit) in an instrument that allows workers to retrain or change direction and begin a different
professional career. Support may consist of financial support, additional leave or a combination of
both and will be provided using customisation and a demand-based funding system.
Since inadequate knowledge of Dutch is a major obstacle to employment - especially for foreigners
- we will implement compulsory language screening for all other language speaking job seekers
depending on their route to work. In the event of inadequate knowledge of Dutch we will provide
Dutch training through a training course organised by the VDAB or its partners. Learning Dutch can
be fully integrated in vocational training or on-the-job training. Anyone that refuses Dutch language
training will face sanctions as they would if they refuse any other training course.
For the basic Dutch course (NT2) the existing framework agreement will be adapted to specific
enforceable agreements. The NTC options will be aligned to the needs of the course participants
such as by providing more phased intake options, more intensive basic training and more integrated
educational tracks. We will ensure optimal geographical distribution. In this respect, the range of
education providers for the basic course will be expanded.
The Government of Flanders will continue investing in training courses for entrepreneurs. To be able
to respond to economic opportunities in intelligent sectoral clusters and to offer flexible processes,
the Government of Flanders will assign Syntra Flanders the task of aligning the range of courses and
developing a steering funding policy within the available budgetary allocation. Partnerships with, for
example, sectors and companies can be developed to supplement these efforts. The Government of
Flanders aims to use this approach to contribute to innovation in companies.
LEARNING AND WORKING
Together with the education policy area we will create an integrated dual system of learning
and working, which in terms of policy and society will be considered equal to all other forms of
secondary education and that offers opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs. The new
Flemish competence - the industrial apprenticeship - will act as a lever. The sectoral translation of
this policy will take place using the sector agreements instrument. Dual training forms constitute
fully-fledged educational courses and are a useful instrument in the fight against unqualified
outflows and youth unemployment. A dual learning-working route can also be an appropriate
solution for young people without any qualifications that are older than eighteen years of age, to
allow them to obtain a qualification.
In the learning and working system we offer students customisation based on comprehensive and
neutral screening and induction by the relevant educational and labour market bodies. Screening for
labour market maturity will be performed by the relevant labour market actors. We will guarantee
every student that enrols in a dual learning and working track specific work experience in (private)
enterprise. Results-driven funding must help us achieve the work component. We will remove any
differences in status and wages.
Syntra Flanders will be assigned a clear orchestrating role to achieve the work component for labour
market-mature young people. We will work to reverse the downward trend in participation of the
apprenticeship scheme.
An interministerial committee for work-education will steer the reform.
COMBINING WORK AND THE FAMILY
The regionalisation of service cheques offers the possibility of giving a permanent boost to the
employment rate by supporting workers in combining their work
and family. Furthermore, the service cheque system is an important instrument in the fight against
illegal work and activating the low-skilled and long-term unemployed.
After developing adequate alternatives to ensure the induction of job seekers to the service cheque
circuit, we will abolish the obligation to recruit 60% of job seekers or people on income support. We
will ensure better integration and the acquisition of language skills for foreign workers.
Supplementary residential care and service cheques are complementary but nevertheless still clearly
separate.
We will support people in their efforts to combine work and the family. We will develop a single
Flemish system for all workers to provide support for thematic leave for care, in addition to the
federal benefits provided for this thematic leave.
VII. MOBILITY AND PUBLIC WORKS
FLANDERS MOBILITY PLAN
The “Mobiliteitsplan Vlaanderen” (Flanders Mobility Plan) will be completed and adopted in
conjunction with the “Beleidsplan Ruimte Vlaanderen” (Spatial Policy Plan for Flanders) and the
“Klimaatbeleidsplan” (Climate Policy Plan). It explains how we will use a sustainable long-term policy
for mobility and public works to respond to the challenges related to ease of access, safety, ease of
use, sustainability and quality of life. We will use it as a basis to develop action plans, also for the
short (2020), medium and long term.
EASE OF ACCESS
Investing in a coherent and effective transport network
We will start by developing infrastructural interventions and mobility-driven measures for sound
and reliable networks that entitle every participant to reliable travelling time and quality, safe
mobility. The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists represent important areas of concern.
The multiannual investment programmes will include a list of quick wins that will improve flows
of all transport modes. The road categorisation of secondary roads will be assessed in order to also
optimise the use of these roads in the transport network.
Linking networks
We will underline the complementarity of the different transport modes that we consider to be
equally important and steer towards a more varied use of these modes. We will devote special
attention to developing the nodes where several transport systems converge, so that connections are
seamless and logical. Sufficiently large P+Rs with seamless and comfortable connection options for
travellers and an efficient service are essential for reinforcing the mobility chain.
Intelligent mobility
We will make our mobility behaviour more intelligent by responding to technological innovations
and offering multimodal real-time information to all road users. We will invest heavily in ITS
measures to optimise flows for all transport modes. Cut-through traffic will be prevented by steering
traffic in terms of speed and choice of route and by improving traffic flows. We will stimulate the
accelerated exchange of transport and mobility-related information and other open data between all
possible actors.
We will study the potential of the joint use of the Flemish optical fibre network, managed by the
Mobility and Public Works Policy Area (MOW) department.
Maintaining the road network
We will consistently implement maintenance plans for roads and motorways. We will do the same
for the quality of road-related aspects to offer a safe, clean and quality route for all road users.
To maintain and adapt roads and construct new roads we will bundle existing knowledge for a
uniform, more legible and forgiving road design.
Investing in cycling policy - quality cycling route network
We will further increase investments in cycling infrastructure using Fietsteam’s “Integraal
FietsInvesteringsprogramma” (Integral Cycling Investment Programme). The “Bovenlokaal Functioneel
Fietsroutenetwerk” (Supralocal Functional Cycling Route Network) forms the starting point for this.
Integral cycling routes and cycling express roads will provide safe and comfortable connections.
Cycling bridges and cycling tunnels will eradicate missing links in the cycling routes and towpaths
will be optimally used in cycling route networks.
The development of the Fiets-GEN (regional cycling express network) together with the BrusselsCapital Region and the Province of Flemish Brabant will provide fast and safe cycling connections
between Flanders and Brussels. Fietsberaad Vlaanderen will be evaluated after two years of effective
operations.
The Flemish Public Transport Company De Lijn - basic ease of access
We want to safeguard an effective public transport service that is more demand-driven. For the
traveller this means that there will be a maximum focus on comfortable vehicles, optimal frequency,
competitive speed and simple integrated services and fares. The concept of basic mobility will be
assessed and will evolve on this basis to a basic ease of access.
In sparsely populated areas we will respond to specific transport demands in close consultation with
local authorities, which will be conducted using the MOBIB pass and the RETIBO system, on the basis
of traveller transport flows. A targeted supply will be provided to avoid transport poverty. To do so,
we will use and heavily encourage innovative transport concepts such as the dial-a-bus service, taxi
sharing/regional taxis, community buses, bicycle sharing, carpooling, etc.
Investing in De Lijn - the traveller takes priority
The efficient use of public resources is vital for De Lijn. Adequate own transport revenues, optimal
vehicle occupancy levels, the right vehicle in the right place (tram - express bus - line bus - tram bus dial-a-bus - community bus - taxi) and smooth traffic flows are essential in this respect.
We will increase the appeal of public transport. Priorities will include reinforcing the demand-driven
aspect of the existing network by developing the urban, suburban and coastal networks to create
a coherent public transport system that links the major transport axes between smaller towns and
municipalities. This adequately safeguards improved access to rural areas.
We will invest in additional tram infrastructure where added value can clearly be demonstrated by
objectification. We will apply the SCBA methodology. We will focus on areas prone to congestion in
the Flemish Diamond. Local transport on the basic network will be improved and better aligned with
rail transport. We will urge the railways to invest in those areas that are inadequately served today.
We will expand demand-driven late evening or night routes to respond to leisure traffic using cofinancing and in consultation with local authorities. We will introduce a differentiated fare for this
specific service.
We will achieve better flows for public transport in consultation with the local authorities
concerned. We will prioritise dense transport axes (tramlines, high frequency lines) in large cities
and central cities that we will approach with an action plan, axis by axis, using tried and tested
measures such as traffic light control and lanes for the exclusive use of buses, taxis, etc. We will
achieve this through a cooperation commitment between De Lijn, the Agency for Roads and Traffic
(AWN) and local authorities.
When renewing fleets of buses and trams we will opt for modern, fully accessible and
environmentally friendly vehicles, thus promoting the roll out of LEZ zones. We will work with
various policy areas with regard to innovations in developments of these types of vehicles and
rolling out pilot projects related to their use.
An integral public transport service requires structural consultation and information exchange
between De Lijn and the NMBS, regional public transport companies and local authorities.
Collaboration between the various public transport companies in the different regions, in border
areas and with neighbouring countries will be improved.
We will reinforce the public transport service by:
•
•
Prioritising the development of the following defined investments:
•
•
•
•
Brabo II
•
Replacement of the coastal tram
•
Premetro tunnel under the Kerkstraat - Pothoekstraat in Antwerp: study into the
•
•
The Hasselt-Genk-Maasmechelen tramline
The Loop tramline between Hasselt and Maastricht in association with the Netherlands
The tram tunnel as part of Ship
The three priority tramlines of the Brabantnet network: ring road tram between Jette
and Zaventem, Brussels Airport - Brussels, Willebroek - Brussels
Further study of the following connections:
optimal use of the existing, unused premetro tunnel
The tram connection between Dampoort - Zuid - Sint-Pietersstation - Sint-Denijs-Westrem
(bus line 7) and thereafter the tram connection between Mariakerke - Korenmarkt Dampoort (bus line 3)
•
•
•
The Koksijde - Veurne connection
•
The Hasselt - Neerpelt - Lommel connection: the NMBS will be urged to include the
•
•
•
The Olympiade - Wilrijk tram extension
Kortrijk Station - Hoog Kortrijk
The Bruges - Zeebrugge rail link: Specific transport demand and an SCBA will examine
how quality can be improved
connection in the NMBS Group’s multiannual investment programme
The Mortsel - Kontich tram extension
The Melsele - Beveren tram extension
Improved access for industrial sites
Companies will be encouraged to engage in sustainable commuting. Efficient improved access to
industrial sites is a priority. When locating new industrial sites effective improved access must be
provided at the outset. This improved access can be achieved, for example, by using private collective
systems. Here co-finance will be achieved, for example, using the “Pendelfonds” (Commuting Fund) or
a future Shuttle Fund.
Investing in rail transport / NMBS - the traveller takes priority
The train represents the backbone in an integrated public transport network and rail connections to
urban and local transport modes must be safeguarded.
The NMBS and De Lijn must proactively work closely together. The NMBS will sufficiently involve De
Lijn and provide adequate scope in advance when drafting a new transport plan. Efficient interactive
consultation structures are key.
Infrabel’s investment plan will take account of the priorities of the Flemish rail strategy.
We will cooperate as much as possible to create multimodal hubs at train stations and to improve
access to them.
Together with the ports and industrial partners we will work on a more reliable and affordable
solution to maintain goods transport by rail. This will reinforce the economic positions of our ports.
Investments in optimal improved access for ports
To maintain the competitive position of the Flemish seaports it is paramount that we ensure ease
of access to them. Ensuring maritime access to the Flemish ports and their hinterland is therefore a
priority task.
When carrying out dredging work in the waterways network we will give priority to the sections
where the shipping function faces the greatest threat.
The construction of the Deurganck dock lock will ensure access to the Port of Antwerp. The
procedures for the new Ghent-Terneuzen sea lock canal will continue and an additional treaty will
be concluded between Flanders and the Netherlands. To improve access to the Port of Zeebrugge the
preferred alternative “limited open tidal zone” for the SHIP project will be developed, with a new sea
lock at the Carcoke site and a tram tunnel under the shipping channel. We will strive for maximum
European co-financing for the study and implementation phase of the different lock projects.
As a result of the ongoing increase in shipping in general and of container shipping in particular,
the position the ports have acquired in the shipping schedules of major, global alliances of shipping
companies and the resulting traffic, means that there is a significant chance we will need additional
handling capacity by 2021. A Saeftinghe dock is also an option, embedded in a defined port area and
being part of a phased development of the Saeftinghe zone. The Government of Flanders will launch
a decision-making process for the progressive construction of this zone. With the aim of a phased
nature development, the rightful inhabitants and farmers in the nature areas to be developed,
which are required to leave their homes and land, will only have to do so in line with the port
development.
The port commissioner will be confirmed and supported in his or her role as bridge-builder in
relations between the Flemish ports on the one hand and in relations between the Flemish Region
and the Flemish port authorities on the other.
We will reinforce the Flanders Port Area cooperation partnership by implementing the thirty action
points already identified. We will encourage inter-port commercial cooperation projects to increase
the market share of Flemish ports. Cooperation initiatives involving the ports will be successful if
they are established in a bottom-up manner and deliver a win-win situation for all involved. Further
initiatives will be taken in this spirit.
Effective improved access to the hinterland and the ports is crucial for the further positive
development of the Flemish ports. We will encourage the four Flemish seaports to seek interport synergies in the strategic plans related to their hinterland strategy. Subsidisation of the port
companies will be simplified with the aim of efficiency gains.
Investing in a reliable, efficient and intelligent waterways network
We will strive for improved access using our waterways. In developing and improving the waterways
network we will focus on expanding the Albert Canal, the Scheldt, the Brussels-Scheldt sea canal
and the Seine-Scheldt link via the Leie in the direction of France, with the approach to the KortrijkBossuit canal as a major priority. The loading gauge and shipping characteristics will be brought in
line with applicable international standards.
Work to raise the bridges over the Albert Canal will be gradually performed from Antwerp in the
direction of Liège, partly using standard budgets and partly using PPPs.
Improved access to the hinterland from the Port of Zeebrugge is urgently needed. Efforts will initially
focus on improving the passage on the belt canal around Bruges. Work on the Steenbrugge bridge
will be carried out and a new Dampoort lock will be constructed. The objective of these projects
is twofold: to increase the inland shipping capacity over the entire Zeebrugge Ghent route to 2,500
tons and to improve traffic mobility around Bruges. They will be prepared by Via-Invest and using a
PPP formula.
If it becomes clear that other routes for improving access for inland shipping for up to at least 2,500
tons are not feasible in the short or medium term, the possibilities of inland shipping via operations
along the coast must be developed, subject to the application of national and international
regulations. In terms of sustainability of the port activities improved access to the Port of Zeebrugge
using inland waterways is crucial. The alternative of inland shipping along the coast between the
Port of Zeebrugge and the hinterland via the Western Scheldt will be further examined. The added
value regulation for housing in reserve strips along the Schipdonk canal can be reviewed in such a
way that the added value of licensed and/or permitted works to existing homes and buildings in
the reserve strips can be taken into account at a later stage if necessary.
We will implement a waterways-based land policy (such as by providing financial support for
constructing quay walls).
A reliable and efficient waterways network also involves simulating permanent innovation in
hydraulics and shipbuilding. We will take measures that must ensure that inland shipping can be
competitive in a wide range of market sectors and conditions. We will work on greening the network
and the fleet and further expanding transhipment options. We will work on developing the service
along all waterways that allow shore-side power and waste disposal.
We will create dynamic traffic management on the waterways network that focuses on River
Information Services in accordance with European directives and standards. In combination with
the further roll out of the Automatic Identification System and compulsory use of the latter, we
will provide fast, accurate and user-friendly communication and information transfer between the
infrastructure manager and bargees.
Promotion, targeted communication, business development and marketing will stimulate transport
using inland shipping. To boost the inland shipping sector we will strive for a level playing field with
neighbouring countries.
We will develop the tourism and recreational potential of the waterways and the coast thanks to an
updated water recreation plan.
Major infrastructure works including the Master Plan for Antwerp and the
Brussels Ring Road
We will carry out the greatest problem-solving infrastructure projects to make the existing traffic
and transport networks more effective, more efficient and more coherent.
The priority PPP infrastructure projects are:
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•
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Oosterweel, R11-b and the A102
Optimisation of the Brussels Ring Road
The North-South Limburg bypass
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transformation of the N8 Veurne-Ypres
Conversion of the R4 East and R4 West into primary roads
N60 Ronse on the selected route
Steenbrugge bridge
Dampoort lock
Raising 15 bridges over the Albert Canal
We will continue preparing a whole series of projects as part of the multiannual investment
programme.
To boost Flanders’ role as the economic gateway to Europe we will actively involve the other regions
as well as our neighbouring countries in infrastructure works that have a transregional and national
impact.
SUSTAINABLE MASTER PLAN FOR ANTWERP
Due to its major economic importance for Flanders we will make the construction of the third
Scheldt crossing a priority in our ambitions for the Master Plan 2020. We will implement the decision
of the previous Government of Flanders. When implementing the Master Plan we will also increase
the range of alternative mobility solutions by striving in earnest for interaction between the different
networks for public transport, freight, water, bicycle and road. This will increase returns from the
efforts made in these areas by the different authorities.
We will take the necessary measures to establish cross-project impact management of the many sites.
We will complete the 33 (quick win) measures for the Antwerp region.
The Antwerp Ring Road occupies a densely populated and urbanised area. This requires an approach
that improves the viability and spatial quality of the entire course of the R1 and the future express
roads. We will develop a programme of mitigating measures. For the Antwerp Ring Road we will
examine the possibilities of raising the Ring Road barriers with a roof structure that integrates the
Ring Road more effectively in spatial terms and offers positive effects for public health.
Before and during the works we will ensure cross-project impact management together with the city
and the fringe municipalities and we will provide the necessary intermediate measures related to
improved mobility and Minder Hinder (Less Disturbance) measures for the sites. We will consult with
the NMBS to integrate the rail network more effectively in the Master Plan 2020. We will conclude
an agreement with the NMBS to improve the operation of the suburban network around Antwerp
during works involved in the Master Plan 2020. This agreement will constitute the beginning of an
A-GEN (regional express network).
THE BRUSSELS RING ROAD
Following consultation with the Brussels-Capital Region, local authorities and a great many
stakeholders, the Government of Flanders adopted the plans to optimise the Brussels Ring Road in
the zone between the E40 Coast to the E40 Leuven to improve mobility around Brussels. A decision
was made to separate through traffic from local traffic to increase road safety and improve traffic
flows. In the framework of the START programme an action plan will be drafted to sustainably
anchor the road network’s decongestion resulting from the optimised infrastructure. Moreover, the
plans for the Brussels Ring Road are part of an integral approach that also includes the construction
of the Cycling Regional Express Network (fiets-GEN) and three additional tram connections
(Brabantnet).
Objectifying future major infrastructure projects
We will objectify new major infrastructure projects and perform a prior social cost-benefit analysis
(SCBA) that also takes account of the zero alternative and possible multimodal alternatives. The SCBA
methodology, as one aspect of the overall decision-making process, can be tested afterwards with expost analyses to optimise the process.
Investing in airports
Together with the Federal Government and the Brussels-Capital Region, we will implement the
airport plan from 2008, supplemented in 2010 cf. the opinion of the Government of Flanders.
With the aim of a uniform and coherent policy for Brussels National Airport, we will strive for a
cooperation partnership with the Federal State and the Brussels-Capital Region. This partnership
must establish a balanced and clear operational framework that guarantees viability for the airport’s
region and boosts the national airport’s economic development. In this respect, the Flemish Region
will establish the “geluidsactieplan” (Noise Action Plan) for Brussels National Airport, in which specific
measures will be developed to reduce noise disturbance to an acceptable level.
The necessary investments will be made in airport infrastructure in the context of the new
management form to bolster the future of three Flemish regional airports in order to maintain the
required ICAO certificates for these international gateways. We will employ our regional airports in
the tourist reception infrastructure of the Flemish art cities and MICE tourism and optimally improve
access to regional airports by public transport. Lastly, we will continue to open up our airports to
train pilots and perform test flights.
Safe mobility
Our ambition is absolutely clear: zero road traffic fatalities by 2050, based on “vision zero”. By 2020,
the number of road traffic fatalities in Flanders must not exceed 200 and the number of seriously
injured victims of road traffic accidents must be below 1,500.
A new, ambitious Road Safety Plan for Flanders, in accordance with the Flanders Mobility Plan, forms
the basis for achieving these objectives. There will be a particular focus on vulnerable road users
(pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and senior citizens.
We will bundle forces more efficiently and eradicate the fragmentation related to road safety
policy. Based on an assessment of activities by the different Flemish actors involved in road safety
operations we will work on fully integrating all road safety activities in a Flanders House for Road
Safety including the new transferred powers in the Department of Mobility and Public Works.
In doing so, Flanders will make maximum use of the powers transferred as part of the sixth state
reform related to driving tuition, education and increasing awareness, standardisation, monitoring
and enforcement.
Road safety on the road network (the five Es)
Education, increasing awareness and reforming driving tuition
Lifelong learning, target group-based training and increasing awareness offer the best guarantee for
successful road user participation. We will increase awareness among the most vulnerable road users
(pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and senior citizens) as well as among motorised road
traffic.
We will increase awareness among road users about the substantial impact of road traffic accidents
through testimonies in schools, companies, associations, etc. We will integrate reforms for driving
tuition in a lifelong process of road traffic education and mobility awareness. Reformed driving
tuition places considerable importance on adequate driving experience in a variety of traffic
conditions. We will ensure that reformed driving tuition remains affordable for everyone.
Infrastructure
Flemish road safety policy fully invests in the safety and quality of roads and their related aspects.
We apply the STOP principle in this respect. The dangerous places project has been completed. In the
future, we will focus on making traffic axes such as the A12 and the N49 safer.
We will use design principles and standards to ensure better readable and more forgiving road
layouts when performing maintenance and adjustments to roads and constructing new roads, with
a particular focus on vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists).
Enforcement
The success of effective road safety policy relies on adequate and efficient monitoring. This is not
simply a question of quantity but of quality. The proposed (federal) target figures for enforcement
must be effectively achieved during the new legislative session.
An increase in the objective and subjective chance of being caught requires year-round targeted (or
target group-based) enforcement campaigns, whereby inspections must focus on times that present
a risk (such as at night, during the weekend) as well as places that present a risk and on risky
behaviour (such as driving under the influence of alcohol, or at excessive or unadjusted speeds and
failure to wear a seatbelt) and preferably using innovative intelligent solutions.
Evaluation (accident reporting and analysis)
Modern comprehensive accident reporting and analysis, based on binding agreements with all actors
involved, will allow us to learn from the real causes of accidents (measuring produces knowledge)
and to develop an objectively founded targeted and efficient road safety policy.
Commitment - encouraging a change in behaviour
Safe driver behaviour will become the new norm. With regard to road safety prevention and
increasing awareness we will, for example, use road traffic testimonies and there will be a permanent
focus on road traffic victims, their circumstances and the bereaved.
Safety on the waterways network
Coastal protection
We will protect our coast and the Scheldt Estuary against flooding using an accelerated approach
involving hydraulic sand pumping via a public private partnership and by implementing the “plan
Vlaamse Baaien” (Flemish Bays Plan). This will result in a win-win situation by combining further
optimisation of the sea walls with guaranteed maritime access to the ports.
This will also lead to an optimised dredging and dumping strategy for preserving the navigation
channel at sea including for the outer port of Zeebrugge and will guarantee ease of access to the
Scheldt ports via the Scheldt Estuary.
Protection of the hinterland against flooding via the Flemish coastal ports will be further tackled by
implementing the strict measures in the “Masterplan Kustveiligheid” (Master Plan for Coastal Safety).
Water management
We will continue to invest in sustainable protection against flooding through effective consultation
with local authorities, taking into account the expected effects of climate change.
Climate change also results in water shortages. Measures will also be implemented to address this
issue. The measures will provide a solution to water shortages and to renewable energy with
adequate flows.
Accessible mobility
We will strive for suitable, affordable and guaranteed door-to-door transport and central points of
contact for persons with a mobility disability who cannot use the public “stop-to-stop” transport.
We will focus more on volunteer transport services provided by the reduced mobility centres and
start consultation with the federal government to solve the bottlenecks for volunteers with regard
to the combination of volunteer and expenses reimbursement.
We will continue to invest in full ease of use and ease of access to stations, platforms, stops and
vehicles for the disabled or those with seriously reduced mobility. We will encourage local authorities
to invest in obstacle-free, comfortable footpaths and a quality public space using the “Vademecum
Voetgangersvoorzieningen” (Pedestrian Facilities Manual).
It is not easy for people with an intellectual disability to take the bus or tram and use public
transport. We will increase their mobility and independence through support provided by
innovations such as Blue Assist.
Sustainable environment
Noise disturbance is a source of irritation and reduces quality of life. We aim to improve people’s
quality of life by taking noise mitigating measures. To this end, we will focus explicitly on low-noise
surfaces. In new residential developments and when converting noise-affected areas into residential
areas, we will impose mitigating measures on initiators to reduce the noise level to an acceptable
level.
Viable mobility
Sustainable logistics
Flanders wants to maintain its position as Europe’s smart hub for logistics and transport. It is vitally
important that all major economic gateways are easily accessible. In 2020, the logistics sector must
create maximum added value and must not restrict itself to transport activities. Flanders can limit
the impact on man and the environment by stimulating a modal shift.
Logistics advisers will support logistics actors to achieve efficiency gains and the related cost savings
by organising logistic flows in a more sustainable manner. We will evaluate the use of the Flanders
Logistics advisers after two years of activities and possibly extend them if the evaluation proves
positive.
We will support research into sustainable and innovative logistics concepts to make logistic,
multimodal chains in Flanders are competitive as possible and launch specific pilot projects to do so.
One special point of concern remains the supply, maintenance and safety of car parks along
motorways.
Sustainable urban logistics
In a general Flemish context for urban distribution we will strive for sustainable and economically
profitable solutions for delivering goods in urban environments together with local authorities and
the business community. In addition, inland shipping can also be used for the delivery of freight
to waterbound depots on the periphery of cities. Thus we will reconcile urban logistic needs with
viability by reducing traffic and environmental pressure and increasing road safety. We will also use
new initiatives that lead to sustainable logistics on the road with motorised transport or cargo bikes.
The design of a Flemish policy framework for urban distribution will serve as a guideline for cities
and municipalities when drafting their own local policy for urban distribution.
We will facilitate sustainable deliveries in an urban environment using the PIEK project and urban
distribution centres. We will allow loading and unloading outside of peak hours and as much as
possible at central distribution sites. Deliveries will be performed with quieter vehicles and lownoise loading and unloading equipment. To achieve this we will jointly develop a workable (noise)
framework with Environment and Spatial Planning.
Long and heavy vehicles (LHVs)
The long and heavy vehicle pilot project is underway. Following a positive evaluation, the scope of
application will be expanded, whereby regulations for the use of LHVs will be made possible on a
larger scale with guarantees for road safety for all road traffic participants.
The right mobility price
Greening the fleet
Diverse policy areas will provide financial support for innovations related to the development of
sustainable vehicles and the roll out of pilot projects involving the use of these vehicles (e.g. tram
buses, lightweight buses).
Mobility steering using financial incentives
Mobility steering action using financial incentives could have a positive impact on the traffic flows in
areas prone to congestion. It is therefore important that all road users, also foreign ones, pay a fee for
using our infrastructure. This involves freight transport and passenger vehicles.
Intelligent kilometre charge for trucks
Therefore, in 2016, in accordance with the cooperation partnership of 31/1/2014 with the other
Regions, the Government of Flanders will introduce a kilometre charge for freight transport on
roads. With regard to tariffs we will safeguard the competitiveness of our companies and economic
gateways, such as our ports, in comparison with our neighbouring countries. We will develop
supporting policy to do so.
Greening road taxation
For passenger vehicles we can establish a road tariff with a vignette or a kilometre charge. Based on
the results of a pilot project conducted in the GEN zone in consultation with the other regions and
the actors involved we will examine if and under which conditions (mobility impact, social impact,
the impact on viability, feasibility, adequate alternatives, etc.) a kilometre charge could be introduced
for passenger vehicles over time in a budget-neutral manner. Fixed taxes will be abolished if we
introduce road pricing for cars. These involve vehicle registration tax (BIV) and the annual road
tax. In the meantime, a road vignette could already satisfy “the user pays” principle. We will closely
monitor developments abroad, such as German intentions to introduce a vignette, and join in if this
leads to a cheaper and better-integrated system. We will make the annual road tax greener using a
budget-neutral context.
The Flemish Public Transport Company De Lijn: revenues and fares
The “free policy” will be abolished. We will ensure the future of public transport using a sustainable
increase in the break-even level. To achieve this we will devote considerable attention to managing
expenditure related to its internal organisation. Moreover, additional revenues will be generated from
advertising, increased monitoring of fare evaders, commercial shared use of infrastructure and more
equitable and differentiated fares. These will be aligned to fares in comparable transport regions in
Europe. We will introduce differentiated fares, for example, according to target groups (e.g. social
fares), quality, distance and time. Adjustments will be possible after ReTiBo has been rolled out.
We will adapt De Lijn’s management agreement to obtain greater freedom to determine fares. The
“tarievenbesluit” (Fares Decree) will be amended for this purpose.
Chain mobility and cross-border (regional) mobility will be encouraged by full fare and ticket
integration.
Administrative simplification
The existing “Mobiliteitsdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Mobility) reinforces cooperation between
local authorities, the Government of Flanders and actors such as De Lijn. It allocates municipalities
the role of orchestrator to proactively shape mobility policy. The Flemish Parliament Act on Mobility
will be assessed during this legislative session.
For major projects, we will make use of the new Flemish Parliament Act on Complex Projects, with
a particular focus on public involvement. We will achieve efficiency gains by working with more
uniform specifications and joint tenders.
We will continue to work on an integral chain approach to maritime access to our ports. The
Government of Flanders will optimise pilotage to make it an effective and modern administrative
organisation that engages in dialogue with other actors in the nautical chain to achieve targeted and
optimally efficient maritime traffic flows.
The pilotage will operate in a safe, reliable and customer-friendly manner. Open communication with
customers and stakeholders will be guaranteed. Pricing for pilotage fees will be benchmarked against
developments in similar ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre range.
Optimal cooperation with the federal government and the other regions
Cooperation with the federal government
The Government of Flanders will make binding agreements with the federal government about rules
related to labour law, taxation and social security in such a way as to simplify and harmonise them
so that the mobility budget can be effectively implemented on a broad scale.
The Government of Flanders will undertake the necessary steps and advocate for consultation with
the federal government so that the penalty points driving license can be effectively introduced along
with a modernisation of the Highway Code.
Consultation will also take place on:
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•
•
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Fare and ticket integration with, for example, the NMBS: a single ticket system
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Labour law for the inland shipping sector
Incident management
Implementation of the sixth state reform
“Vervoersplan NMBS” (NMBS transport plan) and “Meerjareninfrastructuurplan Infrabel” (Infrabel
Multiannual Infrastructure plan)
Long and heavy vehicle regulation
Cooperation with the other regions
We will work around the following themes:
•
•
Cross-regional mobility
Fare and ticket integration with, for example, the STIB/MIVB (the Brussels Intercommunal
Transport Company) and TEC (Walloon Regional Transport Company): a single ticket system
(cross-region commuting and mobility)
•
Kilometre charge/ road vignette
VIII. SPATIAL PLANNING
LEVEL OF AMBITION
The spatial planning challenges facing Flanders, which is a densely populated region, make it clear
that we need a dynamic, spatial development policy with a high level of ambition.
The common theme is judicious and efficient use of space that reinforces the spatial organisation of
Flanders and that improves quality of life at the same time. We will optimally release the valuable
open space, create possibilities for a range of qualitative housing and adequate space for enterprises.
Multifunctional spatial use and interwoven functions are essential in this respect without threatening
the principle land use.
The building bricks of this ambition lie in a new strategic and dynamic policy framework - the
Spatial Policy Plan for Flanders - that builds on the policy objectives of the Spatial Structure Plan for
Flanders.
In addition, we will continue to strive for simple and more legally certain procedures. Regulation
that is based on reduced administrative burden for citizens and entrepreneurs remains a top priority.
Public participation procedures will take place in the most useful and efficient manner. Planning
instruments will be modernised with the aim of a focus on performance, legal sustainability and
flexibility. New instruments will integrate the existing spatial planning and environmental effect
reporting.
We will aim for a trim and effective government, which can take correct decisions at the most
appropriate level and where solution-oriented administration supports the citizen or entrepreneur.
TRUST IN MUNICIPALITIES
Flanders will adopt a model of trust with regard to the local authorities and will continue to phase
out the existing control model. This means that the Government of Flanders will not take a critical
attitude towards the municipalities and will only set out strategic guidelines without prejudice to
the municipal policy scope.
We will hand over responsibility to local authorities and encourage a proactive and solution-oriented
attitude, in which we will support municipalities (with training, subsidies, etc.). Furthermore, local
authorities will continue to be encouraged to establish cooperation partnerships with adjacent
municipalities with the aim of optimal service provision.
TOWARDS A NEW STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR SPATIAL POLICY IN
FLANDERS - SPATIAL POLICY PLAN FOR FLANDERS
We will implement the Spatial Policy Plan for Flanders as a successor to the Spatial Structure
Plan for Flanders. The Spatial Policy Plan for Flanders forms the basis for a strategic, dynamic and
implementation-oriented spatial development policy.
It is a non-binding robust vision that incorporates the spatial principles and balances of the Spatial
Structure Plan for Flanders.
We will adopt a bottom-up approach in which the administrative levels concerned will be mutually
reinforcing and act as complementary rather than dominating.
The policy plan will have a more dynamic structure that will allow it to better respond to new
challenges and insights.
The participation process that started during the previous legislative session will continue. We will
assess the process and the recommendations formulated to the Green Paper and we will make
the necessary adjustments. The participative process will be continued with the aim of making
important spatial choices.
We will encourage cooperation at the supralocal level. Thinking from a regional interest instead of
from the sum of individual local interests will make it possible to devise widely supported solutions
to spatial issues.
BUILDING FLANDERS, STRIVING FOR CHANGE
If we want to encourage people to help build a prosperous society, we must ensure that they can
also live, work and relax in a quality environment.
We must reconcile these functions. Flanders is too small to be divided into separate spaces where we
can experience all these functions. Where possible, we will combine functions without threatening
the principle land use. We will do so in urban agglomerations, the built-up peripheral landscape as
well as in rural areas. Both have their specific advantages and challenges. Both deserve customised
policy. We will encourage interwoven functions and multifunctional spatial use.
OPEN SPACE
Multifunctional rural areas
When planning and designing the open space Flanders will assume adequate support, desirability
and feasibility. Viability in rural areas, adequate space for safe food production and qualitative
revaluation of our nature are major points of concern.
We will implement a dynamic open space policy, founded on a region-specific and integrated spatial
vision that takes into account water management, landscape and nature as well as recreation,
possible ecosystem services, agriculture, food production and immovable heritage.
A multifunctional region-specific approach to the open space is urgently needed. Rural policy will be
optimally designed in relation to a qualitative open space and the economic viability of rural areas
and all their functions. We will devote attention to maximum protection for sensitive nature. On
the other hand, society with its expectations must also take account of the business objectives of
Flemish agriculture and horticulture.
The open space policy will rest on an region-specific and integrated approach. We will install a sound
consultation model and coordination between the different authorities and sectors. This consultation
must seek alignment between the various sectoral programmes so that the sum of all the spatial
demands does not transcend the area’s carrying capacity.
Achieving a spatial balance with the related sectoral objectives from the Spatial Structure Plan for
Flanders (RSV) continues to be our ambition. However this objective does not necessarily need to be
accomplished by running through planning processes for every square metre. The majority of land
use designations in Flanders have been in place since the regional plans were established. We will
focus our planning capacity on the areas in which we can achieve spatial gains, where transitions
can be facilitated.
We will evaluate and optimise the AGNAS procedure (Demarcation of the Agricultural and Natural
Structure) with the aim of sustainable and qualitative design and management of our open space.
Agriculture with an active role in rural areas
The agricultural and horticultural sector plays a major role in rural areas and this must continue in
the future. We will allocate adequate space for economically profitable agriculture.
We will implement an active land policy for strategic agricultural areas in which other functions and
transformations do not threaten the development of agricultural activities.
We will continue to carry out activities agreed in the “Plan van aanpak ruimtelijk bedreigde bossen”
(Plan of approach for spatially endangered forests) concept paper, approved by the Government of
Flanders on 31 January 2014, to offer better protection for ecologically valuable forests outside the
appropriate land use zones.
Developed nature areas will be anchored in planning terms. Ecologically and socially valuable nature
and forest areas will be optimally safeguarded using the intelligent use of space principle.
SPACE TO LIVE
Space is scarce in Flanders. The demand for additional housing will continue to rise as a consequence
of the expected population growth and the trend of reduced household sizes. The aging population
and the inclusion of people with care needs in our society also present challenges for our spatial
planning. It is expected that 93,000 additional homes will be needed by 2020. We will increase the
spatial yield of the existing built-up space. A large part of the additional demand for housing can be
absorbed by using densification, renovation and reuse in places where this is possible.
Minor infill development projects are part of this ambition. These offer compact housing that allow
a quality spatial experience. Using up new space is only possible near centres so that damage to
the open space is limited. A sustainable organisation of spatial design is achieved by intelligently
interweaving proximity to work, services and residential nuclei, which also limit the amount of
travelling required. Ease of use, space for basic facilities as well as adequate public space to stimulate
movement and social contact, interwoven functions (commerce, housing, leisure time, work, etc.)
and a social mix are important for creating a liveable and agreeable environment for all age groups
and for organising care in the immediate environment. New forms of housing, such as co-housing,
will emerge as a result of the limited space available to us in Flanders and the evolution in the
population and family compositions.
Due to the limited supply on the market an active land policy will be implemented in association
with other authorities and private partners. Land policy involves customisation. The policy will
follow a dual track: in the first place it will ensure that more lots located in the residential zone
are placed on the market and that supply is also increased by responsibly developing residential
expansion areas. We will ensure a simple transparent procedure for developing these residential
expansion areas.
Existing residential areas must be optimally and qualitatively developed. We will strive for a varied
housing supply that satisfies the diverse housing requirements and innovative types of housing
(starter homes, co-housing and other forms of group housing and care housing etc.) that is tailored
to demand. We will increase the diversity of the types of available housing, in addition to modal
homes to respond to the specific housing requirements of those acquiring their first home, singleperson households and senior citizens. We will continue to eradicate any administrative obstacles.
We will monitor supply and needs at the supralocal, regional level.
Residential expansion areas that should not be further developed e.g. due to current flooding
problems, will be allocated a new land use plan. We will examine whether a system of tradable
construction rights and planning exchange could be used as instruments for an active and steering
spatial policy.
We will implement an urban policy that combats urban desertion as part of the spatial development
policy. It is essential that we retain and increase viability in residential environments and create a
strong economic foundation. We will develop incentives for intelligent mobility, the economy, an
interwoven urban fabric with green and blue lifelines, (sub)urban greenery, an adequate range of
facilities, including education, healthcare and childcare. Suburban forests that are developed in a
supported and responsible manner must provide a solution to the demand for more accessible and
recreational green space.
SPACE FOR ENTERPRISE, ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND COMMERCE
To create adequate space for new economic activities and ensure that Flanders retains a leading
position in Europe we will make sure that adequate space is allocated and that existing industrial
sites are developed at an optimal speed thanks to permanent monitoring of supply and demand.
In this respect, we will respond to the spatial logic of economic networks and provide adequate
space for industrial sites. We will determine - on the basis of subregional shortcomings and
opportunities in which additional industrial sites can be developed, taking into account completed
planning initiatives and opportunities for improved access.
We will also actively respond to the location requirements of the new economy and circular
economy. Our changing industry needs adapted space and a simplified framework. There is a need
to adjust and update the outdated land use categories and associated town planning provisions. We
will adapt the outdated distinction between SME/industry Classes I and II, regional/local industrial
sites and office zones to reflect the existing spatial-economic reality.
We will provide a new economic impetus using infill development, activation and redevelopment of
existing sites and the valorisation of blackfield and brownfield sites.
With regard to the issue of the “land use conflicting” economy and economic activities in rural areas
we will pursue adequate policy instruments to offer legal certainty to the parties concerned in a
speedy manner and be able to make considerations about the carrying capacity of the environment.
A decision will be taken with regard to the “Economisch Netwerk Albertkanaal” (Albert Canal
Economic Network) about the potential locations explored and specific plans will be rolled out
thereafter.
AN REGIONS-SPECIFIC AND INTEGRAL APPROACH IN COMBINATION WITH
PERFORMANCE-BASED PLANNING AND ACCOMPANYING INSTRUMENTS
To better safeguard the qualities of the Flemish space a region-specific/project-based and integrated
approach is needed in spatial development policy. This demands a sound consultation model and
coordination between the different sectors and authorities.
Process coordination and integration is required in complex processes involving different themes; in
these cases the Government of Flanders will appoint a process manager.
We will ensure an optimal instrumental and organisational context with the aim of an integrated
land and property policy. To do so, we will develop existing instruments to produce a vigorous
instrumentarium. To achieve this we will first develop a strategic and anticipatory acquisition policy
using established guidelines in association with financial and policy-based opportunities.
We will invest in modernising our planning instruments with the aim of a focus on performance,
legal sustainability and flexibility. Land use classifications must reflect the reality and the
development more closely.
We will look back at existing planning instruments in relation to integrated environment planning
focused on developments on the ground and which may also include accompanying (non-)spatial
actions. We will continue to pursue region-specific visions as the basis for spatial development policy.
We will continue to develop spatial implementation plans but will move away from UPRs that
cover large areas. We will focus on more region-specific and/or project-based planning processes.
The necessity, feasibility and effects in the short-term represent important criteria for launching new
planning processes. Project-based incentives tackling the issue of brownfields, spatially endangered
forests, improving infrastructure, protecting contiguous agricultural areas and achieving conservation
objectives are fine examples of this. It is extremely important to safeguard a level playing field when
designing and assessing the regulatory framework. Businesses must be able to compete on an equal
footing with their partners in Europe. We will therefore consciously strive for a level playing field by
correctly applying European directives.
EIA and spatial planning processes must be a component of one and the same integrated social
decision process. Directly linking the alternatives debate - which is actually a spatial debate - to the
spatial planning process reinforces spatial development policy and eliminates any structural and
procedural inconsistencies that occur in the transition from the EIA process to the planning process.
Integration also results in a faster planning process and greater support.
When implementing the “Opmaak van een wetgevend kader voor de integratie van de plan-mer
en andere effectbeoordelingen in planprocessen voor ruimtelijke ordening” (Creation of a legislative
framework for integrating the EIA plan and other impact assessments in planning processes for
spatial planning) concept paper, approved by the Government of Flanders on 29 November 2013,
we will ensure a more process-based approach to impact assessment procedures for planning and
programmes. In addition to maximum integration of the different impact assessments, we will strive
for a continuous quality assessment of these evaluations. As part of this philosophy the EIA service
will participate at the beginning of the spatial planning process and will be part of the planning
team at the regional level. It will work constructively alongside the planning team throughout the
entire planning process to underpin the environmental assessment of the plan concerned.
We will rework the implementing decree related to the form and content of UPRs. We will ensure
that outdated provisions can be remedied in a simple manner. We will develop a short, speedy
procedure for minor amendments to town planning provisions or the legislative plan for existing
spatial implementation plans.
We will optimise the accompanying instrumentarium and align the different financial compensation
options. The chance of effectively executing spatial implementation plans will be increased by
striving for fair compensation for disadvantages suffered as a result of spatial plans.
We will continue to develop the “Harmonisering van de compenserende vergoedingen”
(Harmonisation of compensation allowances) concept paper approved by the Government of Flanders
on 20 December 2012.
MODERNISING THE INSTRUMENTARIUM + MORE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION
Permits
Simplifying and accelerating procedures and instruments continues to be a spearhead in
Environmental and Spatial Planning policy. Here, too, we adopt the principle of a level playing field
by correctly applying European directives.
The Environmental Permit will be put into operation in 2015. It will integrate the previous
Environmental Permit and the Town Planning Permit in a single procedure and a single decision.
Citizens and entrepreneurs will receive more speedy clarification and legal certainty regarding their
plans.
Resources from the “Omgevings-fonds” (Environment Fund) will be used to support municipalities
in introducing the Environmental Permit as well as for training and targeted subsidisation. An
important related component involves support for transforming and training civil servants working
in Environment.
Following the experience acquired in the first phase of decommissioning the environmental
categories (Class 1 to Class 2), we will work on a second phase of decommissioning the
environmental categories (Class 1 to Class 2) when the Environmental Permit is introduced.
When implementing the Environmental Permit we will seize the opportunity to also integrate the
Socio-Economic Permit in the Environmental Permit. Furthermore, we will also perform this exercise
for other existing permits (e.g. the Nature Permit) and authorisations and we will integrate the
Demolition Inventory.
We will extend the methodology of a single integrated Flemish opinion - that is only currently
applied in the Environmental Permit for complex cases using the Environment Committee - so that
this is also possible for more straightforward projects. The Flemish advisory bodies will speak with
one voice. Permit applicants will receive less ambiguous standpoints from the authorities. It goes
without saying that this only applies to cases that require a Flemish opinion.
We will compile an inventory of the existing (binding) opinions and authorisations and examine
whether efficiency gains can still be achieved in this area. Flanders will also consistently apply the
principle of subsidiarity in this matter.
We will promote digitisation of the permit procedure to reduce the administrative burden.
When the Environmental Permit is introduced, we will evaluate the existing exempt transactions
involving obligatory notification in sectoral regulations for spatial planning and the environment. We
will also remove as many administrative obstacles as possible for smaller innovative projects.
We will launch a multisectoral study with the aim of maximum integration and simplification of
all kinds of certificates (electricity, sewerage system, EPB, water disconnection, etc.) to minimise
the administrative burden and cost for the property developer (and the authorities). We will use
this study to introduce a certificate that simultaneously attests to the correct implementation of a
recently issued permit for a new construction.
We will evaluate existing instruments in the VCRO (Flemish Spatial Planning Codex) with the aim of
increased clarity and legal certainty for town planning permits for existing buildings. This evaluation
can lead to the adjustment and/or integration of certain instruments. This involves providing
adequate information to the owner or the person taking over and the necessary attention to cost
savings and a reduction in the administrative burden.
As a reference framework for determining environmental provisions we will implement the European
Best Available Technique for environmental performance for companies and in doing so we will
adopt the principle of the Level Playing Field.
We will shorten deadlines for the “Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen” (Council for Permit Disputes)
and evaluate the Council’s capacity to guarantee fast, efficient and quality legal protection.
Project-based approach
We will put the “decreet Complexe Projecten” (Flemish Parliament Act on Complex Projects) into
operation and launch a number of pilot projects at the Flemish level. When some experience has
been acquired, we will expand the scope of application to more straightforward projects. We will
accelerate the process for the procedures and increase support for cases by investing in public
participation in the start-up phase.
Depending on operations we will expand the tasks of the Flemish Integration Projects Unit (VIP-Cel)
in the Spatial Development Department Flanders and we will make project managers available from
the Government of Flanders. The process manager will supervise the entire project and ensure active
relationship management between the applicant and the advisory body.
Disuse and dereliction
We will evaluate and revise the Flemish Parliament Act to combat and prevent the disuse and
dereliction of business premises. The Flemish Parliament Act must create a clear framework that
optimally focuses on reusing buildings and business premises for new activities. The unoccupied
property rating will be reviewed to produce a fair levy with flexible procedures and adequate legal
protection. We will examine which government instruments can be made available to actively
address disuse and dereliction. The subsidy regulation will focus on reuse and new land use
classification.
Enforcement
Enforcement policy lines and priorities for the Environmental Permit will be developed in the
enforcement programme. The instruments for administrative enforcement will be optimally deployed.
We will divide enforcement related to the Environmental Permit into the most important nonregulatory infringements, in terms of impact, scope and duration.
Local Road Network Law (Buurtwegenwet)
We will modernise the existing Local Road Network Law (Buurtwegenwet) and enable municipalities
to implement a well-thought-out slow roads policy with an integral policy vision. The new Flemish
Parliament Act will form the framework for modernising the Local Road Network Atlas (Atlas der
Buurtwegen) and offers optimal protection for existing functional connections or those currently in
use. We will aim for a more logical distribution of tasks, simple procedures and the necessary legal
protection. We will make maximum use of existing instruments to limit the planning burden.
Solution-oriented and customer-friendly Environment Administration
We will further efforts towards a solution-oriented and customer-friendly (Flemish) administration
and continue to phase out administrative burden. Administrations must identify and provide
solutions to help a project progress and act as a knowledge unit that helps create support, never
losing sight of the general interest. With regard to enforcement good sense must prevail and
a solution-oriented and customer-friendly approach is paramount. The Flemish Parliament Act
framework adopted must also support and not counteract this solution-oriented working method.
Eradicating administrative burden also means that the “a government does not request information
it already possesses”. Further digitisation and connected databases are important in this respect. We
will continue the progress already made in the area of digitisation - digital Environmental Permit.
It is clear that the Environmental Permit and the ambition to move towards integrated
environmental planning, spatial planning and environmental matters is becoming increasingly
interwoven. It is evident that in addition to regulation this will also be achieved through a more
efficient government with the structural integration of spatial planning, EIA and environmental
nuisance policy and that of permit authorisation and enforcement. This provides major efficiency
gains related to the results of decision-making, enforcement and in terms of the staff required.
A single minister must be responsible for the environment and spatial planning in order to
implement a consistent and efficient policy.
IX. AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND RURAL POLICY
Farmers and horticulturists are also excellent entrepreneurs. Flanders wants to create development
opportunities for the whole spectrum of businesses: for specialist businesses with livestock, arable
farming, vegetables and fruit as well as broader agriculture with farm tourism and home sales,
urban agriculture initiatives, organic businesses, care farms and all new types of broadening and/or
diversification. The most important element is that they must be sustainable. Each drafted measure
will be customised. Young people and start-ups must receive optimal guidance with a special focus
on changing generations, the sector’s (economic, ecological and social) resilience must be increased
and the strong market position at home and abroad must be retained and strengthened and
absolute environmental pressure must be avoided. Farmers and horticulturalists will manage raw
materials and production factors responsibly and pay constant attention to social expectations
(biodiversity, climate, animal welfare, water etc.).
With this in mind, we will align our approach to sustainability (environment, animal welfare and
food safety etc.) to European regulations to guarantee a level playing field. Different product and
production conditions will lead to a distortion of the competition between regions and countries.
We only want to go further than European requirements if the sector agrees. Agriculture will also
contribute to our achievement of EU environmental objectives as do other sectors.
The agri-food sector is inextricably linked to Flemish agriculture, which is characterised by high food
safety standards, extremely high productivity, a high quality level and craftsmanship. The agri-food
cluster is the strongest cluster of our Flemish economy anchored in Flanders and counts more than
40,000 companies employing 155,000 people. The sector occupies a dominant position in its home
market but is also - and increasingly - a sector that boasts high exports. This means that the sector
displays a positive trade balance of over EUR 4.7 billion and accounts for 10% of our country’s global
exports. So this industrial cluster expressly contributes to our country’s prosperity. Some export
products even achieve a world ranking.
FLANDERS FOOD VALLEY
Flanders is a pioneer, a groundbreaker in many areas. This is no different in agriculture and the food
sector. As a result of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy the sector is entering a new era; a
world in which it will have to compete on a global scale even more than before.
It is therefore paramount that we innovate as we do in other areas and that we make top quality
products using innovative processes. This is why we want to make Flanders the Food Valley of
Europe. Farmers and horticulturalists and agri-food companies are entrepreneurs of the future that
focus on innovative, sustainable and multifunctional business operations.
In terms of logistics we can achieve substantial efficiency gains in the agricultural and agri-food
sectors. Based on additional studies we must make agreements with the entire agri-food sector
about intelligent solutions to arrive at a more efficient and more sustainable logistics network. We
will launch pilot projects.
Logistics are also extremely important for exports. The solid export position occupied by certain
agricultural products and their derivatives must continue and where possible new sectors or markets
must be explored. Even closer cooperation between agriculture and the economy is a must to boost
exports and attract foreign food investments to strengthen Flanders Food Valley.
Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) must become more professional and streamlined and
reinforce international food promotion. We will provide closer cooperation with Flanders Investment
& Trade in business development to identify new markets.
Direct and investment support
We must give our farmers and horticulturalists every opportunity to continue to perform their
vital jobs. Farmers and horticulturalists will continue to receive direct support as provided for in
the “Flemish Implementation of the CAP 2020 Reform for the Direct Support Component” dated
Government of Flanders 23/12/2013 and via PDPO III (Flemish programme for rural development)
(Government of Flanders 24/1/2014). In addition, Flanders will reinforce pillar II by transferring some
of the resources from pillar I to pillar II. This will take place according to a roadmap: 0% in 2014, 5%
in 2015, 7.5% in 2016 and 2017 and 10% from 2018. The resources will only be transferred to the pillar
2 measures in which farmers are the direct beneficiaries.
The Flemish Agricultural Investment Fund (VLIF) will continue to be the driving force for sustainable
growth. We will reinforce the VLIF and provide the necessary resources, which will at least equal
those provided in the budget in recent years. Farmers and horticulturists are permanently confronted
with new developments (which influence the operations and profitability of their businesses) or
social expectations related to the environment, biodiversity, climate, animal welfare and product
quality. Using the VLIF farmers and horticulturists will be encouraged to adapt their business
structures sufficiently quickly to meet these challenges.
To this end, the VLIF will be modified:
•
We will make optimal use of the options to support young people that take over businesses
•
Investment policy will play a steering role in achieving resilience and sustainability for the sector.
using installation aid.
Specific attention will be devoted to innovative and environmentally friendly agriculture, in
which investment aid must not lead to an increase in environmental pressure.
•
We will focus on new entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and new entrepreneurs in organic
farming or the short chain. Companies which, due to their nature (too small, start-ups) and
scope, do not qualify for applying for investment or take-over aid, will be given the opportunity
“to grow” and can therefore apply for a “start-up” premium. In the regulations the applicant’s age
does not constitute a condition for exclusion but an assessment criterion.
•
From now on, there will also be aid for non-productive investments whereby all farmers
can receive aid for small landscape elements, non-productive investments in water or soil
management and green screens.
•
We will ensure that active farmers that have a profitable business, or one that will be profitable
have access to state aid for investments. Opportunities will also be offered to the whole range
of businesses: specialist businesses as well as those that want to increase added value and
businesses that diversify.
•
A support measure will be introduced that stimulates pure innovation and renewal whose
achievement requires investment. This measure is aimed at farmers or groups of farmers.
Integral sustainability will be guaranteed:
•
No investments will be included on the list of potentially eligible investments that insufficiently
•
A selection system will be established. This is to subsidise targeted investments that make a
contribute to making the sector more sustainable.
crucial contribution to enhancing sustainability (socially, economically and environmentally). This
will allow us to make significant progress in enhancing sustainability through the VLIF subsidies
allocated.
The measures’ effectiveness, progress and financial implementation of the renewed VLIF will be
subjected to extensive monitoring. Using better, more effective and increased monitoring we will
determine whether the investment made by the farmer and horticulturist delivers the desired
environmental efficiency. The number of environment-related indicators will be increased and
economic and social sustainability indicators will be added for the 2014-2020 period. Farming and
environmental organisations will, for example, be involved in the PDPO III supervisory committee.
Innovation and research
The global competition will be won by those that can produce the best possible products in the
most efficient manner. Flanders possesses world-class research facilities such as the Institute for
Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO) and the Flanders Food Pilot. The Government of Flanders
will therefore continue to develop and modernise the ILVO, using the Food Pilot as a spearhead.
Individual farmers must employ more innovative research results so that they can also achieve
efficiency gains. We will also focus on agri-ecological innovation in agricultural research.
We will create opportunities for the “agriculture portfolio” similar to the successful SME portfolio.
Via the agriculture portfolio individual farming businesses will be given the opportunity to test new
innovations at the research institutions, preferably integrated in the SME portfolio.
Lastly, we will structurally support the unique cooperation that is currently being organised in
research in the primary sector (cf. Agrolink Flanders). All Flemish research partners in the primary
sector will join forces in Agrolink Flanders for the first time in a structured manner. This will increase
efficiency, involve the entire chain and offer wider access to research resources. This must make it
possible to respond to the greatly increased European resources for agricultural and food research.
With regard to genetically modified organisms we will continue to prioritise the grower and the
consumer’s freedom of choice. Regulations regarding co-existence and compulsory labelling must
guarantee this. To underpin it applied and scientific research can be continued, subject to conditions.
It must not result in a loss of biodiversity at any point whatsoever.
Sustainable enterprise
Integrated pest management (IPM) principles will be optimally applied to limit the use of plant
protection products and to encourage the switch to ecological, less harmful products.
More research is needed at the European level into the death of bees and the impact of plant
protection products. We will develop an action plan for the bee problem.
We will continue work on the second strategic organic farming plan 2013-2017. The objectives are
sustainable qualitative and quantitative growth in organic production in Flanders, a balanced market
development and optimal development of the exemplary role of organic production for enhancing
sustainability in farming and society. This must lead to an increase in the number of producers,
processors, distributors and importers and a growth in the organic area.
We will guarantee a balanced development and effective and efficient implementation of the fifth
manure action plan as well as of supporting policy, devoting attention to the role of the water
quality groups and the “Coördinatiecentrum voorlichting” (Information Coordination Centre) and
sustainable fertilisation support.
A regulation will be drafted that makes it possible to anchor agreements/commitments in a sector
(agricultural policy agreements) and to monitor their development.
Food losses: In a world in which one in eight people die of chronic hunger, the loss and waste of
food and raw materials, in production as well as consumption chains, is ethically unacceptable.
However it also involves financial implications and has an environmental impact.
We will develop action plans in association with the agri-food sector and consumers to avoid food
losses as much as possible.
We will pursue optimal valorisation for unavoidable losses and inedible secondary flows.
Multifunctional company operations
Agricultural and horticultural policy cannot be implemented separately. Farmers and horticulturists
are part of a society in which demand for land use, calm and relaxation and nature are also vitally
important. Farming and horticulture in the Flanders Food Valley will therefore take the concerns of
society into account and vice versa.
Making farming and horticulture more crisis-resistant in highly volatile market
situations
•
Risk management must enter a new phase in which we specifically examine how far we can go
to insure against certain risks:
•
We will optimise the operations of the “landbouwrampenfonds” (Agricultural Disaster
Fund): the administrative process must be simpler and faster; increased clarity about the
instrument’s use will provide more legal certainty and [additional guarantees must be
given for adequate resources].
We will examine whether an all-weather insurance is feasible.
•
Unfortunately the agricultural sector is still characterised by a relatively high number of
occupational accidents. We will increase awareness and develop action plans. PreventAgri
can play a key role in this respect. The objective is “go for zero” as is the case for road
safety policy.
•
Pricing and transparency:
•
•
We will launch pilot projects to cover market risks in the sector.
We will establish information platforms for the diverse sectors that monitor the very
latest trends in economic, technical, sanitary and phytosanitary areas at home and
abroad. This will allow us to provide up-to-date information to our companies in
Flanders Food Valley that will enable them to continue to play a global pioneering role.
•
Informed actors can better protect themselves from price fluctuations. Therefore, we will
provide information about insights relevant to farmers and companies in the agri-food
sector and consumers so that products can be better aligned to market demand.
•
Consultation in the agri-food chain must be reinforced and lead to fair prices for
producers. Cooperatives, producers and branch organisations must support this
consultation. We will strengthen the cooperative concept.
Flanders will recognise chain consultation as a discussion partner and will establish
agricultural policy agreements (LBOs) in the chain on request.
•
We will implement the “Strategisch plan korte keten” (Strategic Short Chain Plan) and
stimulate initiatives whose objectives are direct producer-consumer sales.
Space to conduct business with legal certainty
•
The scarce open space in Flanders must be managed efficiently and responsibly. With this in
•
Climate change, the justified demand to take better care of the environment and the need to
mind, one must consider the need for adequate space for agricultural and horticultural activities.
reconcile economic and environmental objectives, requires a “Judiciously green” policy. The
Government of Flanders will provide additional resources so that conservation objectives can
be fully implemented, including the development of a programmatic approach to nitrogen and
the nitrogen-restructuring programme. The “strongest shoulders bear the heaviest burden”
principle will be respected and the focus will be on European nature objectives. We will assess
the effectiveness and feasibility of the implementation of nature objectives in the field. We will
create a legal framework for types of voluntary nature development.
•
Farmers will be encouraged to reinforce the natural character of and the biodiversity in
agricultural areas. Priority will be given to initiatives that farmers can take themselves.
Flemish policy agendas for rural zones are numerous: basin management plans, the Sigma Plan,
mobility plans, port policy, agricultural policy, environmental and nature policy plans, heritage policy,
etc. All too often project developments in rural zones are currently performed side by side which
means that citizens and companies (usually agricultural businesses) are confronted with a multitude
of initiatives that lack coherence. This leads to unnecessary uncertainty among citizens and
businesses with regard to the authorities. Moreover, this compartmentalised governmental behaviour
is less efficient for its internal operations and investments.
In rural areas we will optimally strive for qualitative open space and the rural zone’s economic
viability with regard to all its functions. To do so, an region-specific/project-based and integrated
approach is needed. This requires a sound consultation model and coordination between the various
sectors and authorities. Process coordination and integration is necessary for complex processes that
involve several themes so the Government of Flanders will appoint a project manager in these cases.
The integrated approach combines the different Flemish objectives that apply to an area (economy,
mobility, environment, agriculture, nature, water and landscape), makes the connection to local
agendas and strives for quality. This allows us to save costs, increase support, and we will ensure
development and employ quality operations that are also visible outside Flanders.
These are projects in rural zones that involve almost all farmers and agricultural businesses. Adequate
involvement of and input from the agricultural administration is required.
Attention to well-being:
•
Boeren op een Kruispunt (Farmers at a crossroads): staying in business - We are exploring
new areas of assistance for companies in need and are working on preventive policy (such as
bankruptcy prevention)
•
Care farms: staying in business and support (Groene Zorg support centre)
The sixth state reform
The sixth state reform provides a substantial number of additional powers related to agriculture and
horticulture. The tasks of the “Belgisch Interventie- en Restitutiebureau” (Belgian Intervention and
Refund Bureau) will be transferred.
Henceforth Flanders will assume full control of European payments to farmers and horticulturists.
The Government of Flanders will examine how this can be done in a coherent and efficient manner
with the aim of speedy payments of all possible European aid.
Farm tenancy legislation will be regionalised. This must lead to a global assessment of the issue of
land availability as a production factor and generation transfer and of the necessary instruments
that can help in these matters.
Regionalising the Agricultural Disaster Fund makes it possible for us to make faster decisions on
agricultural disasters. We will research the possibilities of an all-weather insurance as an alternative.
Single-counter function
The Agriculture and Fisheries Policy area will be reinforced with matters that directly impact the
target group involving agriculture and horticulture, fisheries, rural areas and (agri-)food. This means
that these target groups can address their concerns to a single point of contact. The policy area’s
single-counter function is a crucial part of the Flanders Food Valley strategy. This will also lead to
efficiency gains in the approach to and monitoring of the target group. A single target group policy in
the Government of Flanders concentrating on the agricultural and horticultural, fisheries, rural areas
and (agri-)food sectors will be coordinated by the agriculture and fisheries policy area.
Fisheries
Sea fisheries are also entering a new age. The reformed Common Fisheries Policy further increases the
sense of urgency related to switching to more sustainable and selective techniques. Implementation
of the Common Fisheries Policy, via the new European Fisheries Fund, will spearhead the upcoming
legislative session.
First and foremost we will therefore finalise the Operational Programme and submit it to Europe by
the end of 2014. The common theme here is further enhanced sustainability of the fisheries sector.
Major challenges over the next few years include:
•
•
Implementing the landing obligation.
•
Research by ILVO as the driving force for a transition to further reinforcement. Cooperation with
•
Further promotion of the Aquaculture policy, which began in the previous legislative session,
•
•
Market-oriented management with an active role for the producers” organisation.
Responding to new limits in the Maritime Spatial Plan in association with the coastal fisheries
sector.
the VLIZ will be intensified.
using the platform created for this purpose.
At the EU level we will advocate for equal fishing conditions for the whole European and nonEuropean import fleets.
Rural policy
As stated earlier, the role of the farmer and horticulturist goes further than primary production.
He/she also plays a crucial role as a guardian of the countryside. Over the next few years, the
Government of Flanders will implement a vigorous rural policy, inspired by the Flemish Programme
for Rural Development 2014-2020 (Vlaams Programma voor Plattelandsontwikkeling 2014-2020).
We will implement an effective village policy.
The Flemish countryside is highly diverse, from open spaces to densely built-up areas near cities.
Flanders wants to increase the viability of these rural zones. In addition to urban policy, a quality
and fully-fledged rural policy, focusing on the conservation and reinforcement of its villages’
individuality, must also be further developed.
A village or residential area must not be reduced to a series of homes, buildings and facilities; it is
more a community of citizens with their own specific local needs. The village is the level at which
citizens with a - sometimes vague - sense of identity and a “sense of belonging”, (can) take the
initiative to keep their environment as viable as possible. It is the level at which a participative
policy can be specifically shaped by the authorities by stimulating, supporting and facilitating this
“collective self-reliance”.
A village policy will contribute to a contemporary, supported solution to rural challenges.
Flanders will implement a village policy by providing support for suitable services and free initiatives
and supporting volunteer work. We will eliminate planning and regulatory burden for associations.
Furthermore, we will facilitate the development of opportunities that create and/or support
economic growth opportunities in rural areas.
The short distance between cities and rural areas in Flanders offers opportunities in this respect: the
short chain, local products, rural holidays, etc. There are also new forms of production and recreation
in the countryside and suburbs. We will continue and honour the immense success of allotments and
will support horse keeping as a recreational and economic actor in rural areas so that this sector can
be integrated in a sustainable manner.
Lastly, we will generate maximum output using an region-specific and project-based approach
with the extensive involvement of local actors. Region-specific policy offers a specific solution to
the different social, economic, ecological, cultural and spatial challenges in rural areas as well as in
transition areas between the countryside and cities.
X. THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE
Our environment is characterised by a high and ever increasing population density. The population
is becoming more prosperous, takes up space, moves, consumes raw materials, needs food, produces
waste so impacts the soil, water, air, nature and climate and is also responsible for nuisance related
to smells, noise, vibrations, cast shadows and dust particles. This means that the environment - still
a source of life, relaxation, beauty and happiness - is put under pressure from emissions, discharges,
depletion and so on. It requires a judicious policy and decisive measures to tackle such challenges.
Using land management, sustainable development, ecological footprints and transition thinking the
role of the Government of Flanders - alongside that of other authorities, enterprises, households and
civil society is to make efforts to effectively protect and steadily improve our environment.
Horizontal focus
Policy related to the environment is mainly steered by the European Union. The objectives presented
by European policy and the directives that legally bind Flanders largely determine the measures
that must be taken to preserve the environment. As basic principles in developing, translating and
applying European regulations, the Level Playing Field and No Gold Plating principles respectively
apply to ensure that ecological values and economic growth go hand in hand. On the one hand we
will strive for a timely, complete and correct translation and application of European rules to avoid
the environment and nature becoming the victim of the market or competition. On the other we
will strive for an effective, efficient and balanced implementation of the “non-gold plated” European
rules to allow companies to operate on a level playing field in terms of production and products.
European regulations and Flemish measures presuppose a solution-oriented and customer-friendly
administration that speaks with one voice (in other words does not issue contradictory opinions)
and requests the same data once only. We will continue down the path of simplification and
acceleration of administrative procedures and the reduction of administrative burden through, for
example, digitisation and the single counter.
Cooperation between Spatial Development Department Flanders and Environment, Nature and
Energy will contribute to administrative efficiency gains and coherent and dynamic environmental
policy. We will also work on reorganising the related policy areas on the condition that efficiency
gains are achieved.
With regard to municipalities we will adopt a model of trust and avoid guardianship, criticism
and control. On the one hand we will lay the foundations to achieve regional and European
commitments and we will increase the sense of responsibility without violating local autonomy. On
the other we will provide support to increase administrative power in the context of subsidiarity.
By greening the economy in general and taxation in particular - accompanied by supporting
approach - we will discourage and punish environmental pollution and reward and promote
environmental protection. Since cleaning up pollution costs money, we will adopt the principle of
the polluter pays. As care for the environment and nature produces returns, we will continue to
encourage and implement, for example, innovation.
Vertical priorities
Water
Water is literally essential for life and must also be drinkable, available and affordable. With Aquafin,
sewerage network operators and the drinking water companies we will guarantee the quality and
quantity of water for consumption and ensure accessibility to utilities. The costs of water collection,
drainage and purification must be included in the price according to the principle that the polluter
pays and with adequate incentives to avoid waste and with social corrections for protected
customers and a focus on competitiveness and companies’ competitive position.
•
We will monitor pricing by employing the powers transferred to the Regions under the sixth
state reform and not only bring tariff monitoring under the control of the Flemish Environment
Company but we will also develop a tariff regulation to influence the price of drinking water
- taking into account fixed costs and falling consumption - and to assess price proposals
by the drinking water companies. We will also ensure that drinking water companies and
sewerage network operators make the required investments in production centres, distribution
infrastructure and purification plants.
•
To limit the administrative burden for enterprises we will work on an electronic declaration and
•
We will promote cooperation between drinking water companies by aligning interconnectivity
an integral and transparent bill.
production and consumption and thus increasing self-sufficiency and reducing the level of
dependence compared with other countries and other regions.
•
•
Drinking water companies and sewerage network operators will draft efficiency projects.
In the context of the tariff-related powers transferred in the sixth state reform, as of 1 January
2016, we will abolish the “free” kWh of electricity and the “free” m3 of water and we will
simultaneously introduce a fixed allowance for water drainage and purification that will be
accompanied by a reduction in the variable allowance for water supplies and water drainage
and purification and we will also reduce both fixed allowances in relation to the number of
children or size of the family.
Aquafin plays a major role in the Flemish water purification landscape.
•
Given the construction period and lifespan of purification plants and purification infrastructure,
•
We will increase Aquafin’s sense of responsibility using ecological and economic performance
we will continue to support maintenance and replacements to avoid defects in a timely manner.
indicators and a performance budget.
Moreover, protection against flooding must also be ensured by protection, prevention and partners
that are ready to intervene in case of an emergency.
•
To prevent flooding we will continue to invest in (temporary) holding, storage and (slowed)
drainage of water using infiltration facilities, retention basins, riparian zones, flood plains, dikes,
dams, pumping stations and so on. We will oppose surface hardening and promote green roofs
and green spaces. We will combat erosion using cross-compliance of the Common Agricultural
Policy and agreements with municipalities and management agreements with farmers. We will
ensure occasional buffering in public spaces such as parks and playgrounds. And we will invest
in prediction and warning systems and intervention services to limit damage from flooding.
•
We will promote disconnection by providing guidance where this is economically and
ecologically useful. In city nuclei we will define the mixed area if, during reconstruction, the
environmental benefits of a separate system are limited. We will also work on separating
rainwater and wastewater if the environmental benefits are demonstrable.
•
Alignment in warning areas must be sought between land use and water storing capacities, such
as by adapted constructions, provisions in water tests, town planning provisions or regulations,
planning exchange or a new land use classification.
•
For water management a sewerage system is a major lever in addition to watercourse
management and water level management. We will support cities and municipalities or sewerage
network operators in constructing, repairing and maintaining sewerage systems. Revenues from
the municipal purification contribution are intended for the expansion of the local sewerage
system.
In addition to regulation, enforcement, permits and levies other instruments must also be used
to combat scarcity and droughts to alleviate bodies of groundwater that are in an inadequate
condition.
•
We will promote water savings as well as the reuse of water, particularly in vulnerable regions
•
We will develop an alternative instrument such as an ecological drinking water tariff that
and sectors.
respects European state aid rules, for the “grijwaterbesluit” (Grey Water Decree) that expires in
2014 and which is considered cumbersome.
•
By establishing a groundwater predictor and a priorities list we will help to protect freshwater
•
Watercourse management and water level management are also important levers for water
sources against depletion as a result of collection.
management.
Besides the quantity, the quality of aquifers and watercourses must also be guaranteed, especially in
the context of the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrate Directive. We will continue to make
the required efforts with the available resources to restore the highest possible number of bodies of
groundwater and aquifers.
•
We will ensure the development and implementation of second-generation river basin
management plans prioritising spearhead areas and areas of concern in the various basins and
restoration plans for threatened aquifers.
•
We will guarantee balanced development and effective and efficient implementation of the fifth
manure action plan as well as of the supporting policy, devoting attention to the role of the
water quality groups and the Information Coordination Centre (Coördinatiecentrum voorlichting)
and sustainable fertilisation support.
•
In consultation with local stakeholders we will continue to remove and merge polders and
drainage authorities to combat fragmentation and achieve fewer but more decisive authorities
based on hydrographic basins. Where useful we will support the foundation of new polder or
drainage authorities.
Soil and subsoil
In consultation with the federal government we will establish a fuel oil tank fund.
By 2019, remediation of all polluted soil in sensitive areas must be underway. Land with the greatest
development potential and the greatest impact on the population will be given priority. We will
support private initiatives to redevelop brownfield sites. We will remediate blackfield sites of public
roads, prioritising acute risks and anchored land uses. Where useful we will remediate soil using
plants and bacteria to avoid earthworks.
For land clearing of surface minerals we will presuppose the principle of self-reliance insofar as it is
ecologically and economically feasible. We will also actively pursue alternatives. And we will ensure
quality future land use and (monitoring of) its implementation.
Air
Taking account of European objectives and the cross-border nature of emissions, we will make efforts
to limit the presence of, for example, fine dust, nitrogen oxides and ozone. We will implement the air
quality plan, assess the effects and make adjustments if necessary.
•
•
We will facilitate Low Emission zones and tackle the hotspots in agglomerations.
We will link road tax to the impact on air quality.
Waste as/or raw materials
The proverb “prevention is better than cure” also applies to waste. Flanders is one of the leaders in
this area. We want to retain this position and must therefore continue to follow-up by pursuing
waste prevention, ecodesign (also using public procurement), reuse, sorting, selecting, recycling,
composting and recuperation (including materials from landfill sites, valuable metals from machines
and energy from biomass and so on). To this end, we will subscribe to an innovative circular
economy.
•
We will stimulate the circular economy with an updated “Vlaams Materialenprogramma” (Flemish
•
We will increase awareness and a sense of responsibility among consumers and producers to
•
We will reduce the quantity of residual waste produced by families and companies destined for
•
We will prevent illegal dumping and litter not only through campaigns but also using
•
We will align waste incineration capacity with residual waste production. The OVAM will ensure
•
By 2015, we will organise for an impact analysis to be performed with regard to the introduction
Materials Programme).
prevent them wasting water and food and squandering raw materials and energy.
final processing.
enforcement.
umbrella management at the Flemish level.
of a deposit for (plastic) bottles and cans.
Nuisance
Although sources of potentially unacceptable nuisance are generically addressed using regulation
and specifically through permits, there is still a need for additional efforts to avoid such nuisance.
•
In new residential developments and the redevelopment of noise-affected areas into residential
areas we will take noise into account by imposing mitigating measures on the initiators.
•
In the event of alleged nuisance from noise, odours, vibrations and suchlike we will provide
customer-friendly complaints management by an ombudsman service that not only takes receipt
of complaints but also transfers them to the municipality or municipalities or administration(s)
involved (such as the environmental or nature inspectorate and provides feedback to the party
that submitted the complaint.
Nature
One priority is the implementation and funding of the conservation objectives in a clear framework
and with supporting policy measures, in which the strongest shoulders bear the heaviest burden
and in which preference is given to special protection zones, even though outside initiatives are still
possible and suburban forests can still be developed.
•
Loans for purchases, development and management as well as subsidies for land managing
associations and other initiators are, where possible and necessary, reoriented and focused on
achieving conservation objectives.
•
We will also ensure that conservation objectives for the Birds Directive areas Peer,
Linkerscheldeoever and Kuifeend are provided, as agreed between the target groups in the
consultation group. Diverse partners are treated equally with regard to funding for nature
development and management.
•
The instruments provided in the “natuurdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Nature) will be used
•
We will promote contact with nature by distinguishing between the target groups but will
to involve authorities and associations as well as families or companies.
also safeguard the balance between ease of use and nature’s carrying capacity. In implementing
the Flemish Parliament Act on Nature and increasing support, nature will in principle become
increasingly easy to access except where additional protection is required.
•
With respect for local land use we will also provide nature in or for cities and will install greenblue networks as a bridge between urban and rural areas with space for recreation, tourism, the
local economy and social or educational projects. Therefore, we will restore the buildings in the
Ter Rijst domain in Pepingen with respect for the surrounding nature and assign it a cultural and
tourist land use classification.
•
We will protect the exceptionally valuable historic, permanent, coastal polder grasslands based
•
•
We will study the feasibility of a mechanism for tradable forest compensation rights.
•
We will complete the Programmatic Approach to Nitrogen to provide clarity on licensing for
on the map established during public consultation.
We will work on drafting and implementing the species protection plans in the framework of
European nature objectives.
adverse activities on protected lots.
•
We will tackle the issue of protection for marine mammals using the “Soortenbesluit” (Species
Decree) and implement a ban on the use of gillnets and entangling nets by sports fishermen
along the coastline.
•
We will provide additional resources for conservation measures and supporting policy.
XI. ANIMAL WELFARE
Given the importance the Government of Flanders wants to afford the transferred federal power
related to animal welfare, this will be a separate competence. Animal welfare policy and the
inspectorate will be incorporated in the Environment, Nature and Energy policy area.
A coherent policy will be developed for the matter, on the basis of which a well organised and
targeted control system will first be created so that any infringements to the animal welfare
regulations will no longer go unpunished. Scientific support for this policy area will be provided
by the “Vlaamse Raad voor Dierenwelzijn” (Flemish Council for Animal Welfare), which will act as
an independent body and be characterised by a balanced representation of all stakeholders in the
sector.
We will carry out a campaign to increase the sense of responsibility related to keeping domestic
animals (including exotic animals).
A cat plan will be drafted, with the aim of solving the issue of stray cats. Surgical castration for
piglets will be banned as of 2018, in accordance with the European declaration for alternatives to
surgical castration for pigs. We will assess the regulatory framework for the import of pets and
overbreeding.
XII. ENERGY AND CLIMATE
FLANDERS PURSUES ENERGY EFFICIENCY
One priority for this legislative session involves investing in energy efficiency. More judicious energy
consumption will not only stop our energy bills rising as quickly, but will also help us achieve the
European climate targets.
The transition to a low carbon society can only be achieved through global action. The European
Commission has taken the lead with its intention to reduce European emissions by 80-95% by 2050,
but the temperature increase will not be limited to + 2°C compared with the pre-industrial period
without global action. Therefore, intelligent policy that creates levers, also outside of Europe, is
required.
We will comprehensively prepare for the transition to a new energy system. This demands a longterm vision for our energy system, in which economic, social and ecological interests are all optimally
aligned. This could result in an Energy Pact between the various governments and numerous
stakeholders. For the Flemish Region the results of this exercise is of great importance for policy
objectives related to energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, reinforcing interconnections,
innovative solutions for energy storage and the energy norm, etc. A widely supported long-term
vision will guarantee the necessary political and social stability for essential investments in energy
efficiency, energy generation, transformation, storage and transport etc. that will deliver economic
growth and additional national employment if we also monitor our industry’s energy bills.
20-20-20 TARGETS
Each authority in the federal state must demonstrate sufficient ambition for achieving the Belgian
climate targets.
We will conclude a fair agreement between the three regions and the federal government on the
distribution of climate efforts in which each authority demonstrates sufficient ambition. Sound
supporting policy from the federal government is crucial given that the latter possesses a number of
important powers in this area.
Energy efficiency / Energy savings
Flanders will make energy efficiency a top priority by making buildings and businesses more energy
efficient. We will define the long-term vision for the comprehensive renovation of the existing public
real estate portfolio:
•
The Government of Flanders will act as a role model in this respect. Energy consumption in its
•
We will assess the Energy Renovation Programme 2020 from 2007, increase our ambitions where
properties will be reduced.
possible and adjust it up to 2030, after consultation with the stakeholders. We will implement
our ambition for energy efficiency by continuing to pursue high efficiency glass, cavity wall
insulation and high efficiency heating and we will, for example, develop new minimum quality
standards for these features.
Additional incentives will be incorporated for combined measures and complete renovation projects.
Individual premiums for roof insulation and high efficiency glass will be gradually reduced. Premiums
will be customised in relation to the different target groups. The distribution network operators will
act as the single counter for all energy premiums.
We will view the tasks and operations of the “Fonds voor de Reductie van de Globale Energiekost”
(Fund for the Reduction of the Global Energy cost) as compulsory actions with regard to the
distribution network operators, but we will limit them to energy loans for protected customers. We
will strive for synergy between project promoters of social energy efficiency programmes and local
entities.
We will implement the Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings action plan. In association with the stakeholders
every two years we will assess whether EPB requirements still correspond to the cost-optimal levels.
We will increase the quality of the energy performance certificate (EPC) and make it into a decisive
advisory and guiding policy instrument.
Today it is difficult for the free kWh to reach the most vulnerable people; moreover it appears that
the measure’s original intended social and ecological objectives are not adequately achieved so we
will abolish the free kWh. We will provide new measures to combat energy poverty.
The energy policy agreement instrument will be implemented with regard to energy-intensive
companies and together with the sectors we will try and identify levers for developing innovation
and more profitable energy efficiency projects.
Levers for innovation and more profitable energy
efficiency projects will also be sought for other companies. We will develop a benchmarking tool for
SMEs so that they can compare their energy consumption and technology used in their sector.
The economic valorisation of residual heat offers potential. We will develop a framework for district
heating networks in association with the actors involved.
We will highlight the important role played by CHP in primary energy savings and the contribution
made by CHPs in an energy system with ever increasing variable production.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The Flemish CO2 reduction target requires ambitious cross-border policy area efforts. We will report
on the implementation of the climate plan, modernise it and if necessary we will adjust it per policy
sector so that we stay on course for 2020.
We will use all the internal measures that are technically and economically feasible and socially
acceptable for the Flemish share of greenhouse gas emission reductions. At least half of Flemish
efforts will be achieved through our own greenhouse gas reductions. International conditions for
purchasing emission rights in terms of sustainable development must be strictly applied and is
subject to transparent reporting.
The resources for internal greenhouse gas emission reduction measures in the climate fund will be
applied as a priority for energy saving measures for buildings. From the view of cost efficiency special
attention will be devoted to rented social housing. Some of the financial revenues from these energy
savings will be returned to the tenants and some will go back into the climate fund.
We will advocate for ambitious but also realistic long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets, taking into account the efforts and options of other regions, EU Member States and countries
and the risk of carbon leakage.
We will participate in international climate funding in the capacity of our regional powers.
We will support further climate initiatives by local authorities and social movements.
The costs and benefits of the compulsory connectivity rate of 95% of all homes to the gas network
will be assessed and adapted in light of the increasingly strict EPB regulation with the aim of
limiting network costs. We will stimulate climate-friendly alternatives.
Increasing cost efficiency of the share of renewable energy
Renewable energy helps to achieve climate targets, as do energy savings.
We will implement the Flemish renewable energy target for 2020, established in the context of
the European Directive, which we will agree in Belgium. The renewable energy action plan 2020
(actieplan hernieuwbare energie 2020) will be updated so that the target can be achieved in the
most cost efficient manner.
To further implement the renewable energy target, we will increase the minimum share of renewable
energy for new builds and major renovation projects for homes and non-residential properties, taking
into account a cost-optimal level.
Resources for the green heat tender will be increased in the energy budget. Biomass is the preferred
choice for use in green heat generation. Green power generation will be combined as much as
possible with heat generation. Furthermore, we will facilitate improved access to geothermal energy.
We will reform and simplify the certificate system for green power and CHP and where necessary
will make sure it complies with new European regulations. We will take measures to phase out the
certificate surplus. Examples include:
•
•
•
•
A focus on the most cost-efficient technologies;
•
A gradual switch from operational support to investment support for solar panels and other
•
•
Monitoring renewable energy policy in other regions and Member States;
An extension of certificate banking;
An increase in the quota for CHP and Green Energy Certificates;
Phasing out support for market-ready technologies (e.g. wind energy) based on an automatic
degressive factor;
small-scale renewable energy technologies;
Targeted investments in R&D, which mean that renewable energy requires increasingly less
support.
The possible effects of these measures on the competitiveness of energy-intensive companies will be
addressed.
We will phase out support for new plants to prepare for renewable energy generation to be fully
integrated in the market system. We will not only apply a support period but also maximum support
volume. We will arrange for producers to contribute to restoring the balance between supply
and demand by not providing support during times when prices are negative and with regard to
consumers by focusing on demand response.
AFFORDABLE ENERGY
Affordable energy bills for families
In the future, families must be given the possibility to adjust their demand according to the cost of
energy at different times of the day.
The prevention and detection of energy fraud will be a task for network operators. Together with the
Flemish administration fraud involving meters, solar panels or other decentralised generation will be
detected and tackled more quickly.
Resources for the energy scan will be redirected to measures that tackle the source of energy
poverty, with a strong operational role for social economy projects. We will reduce energy poverty
at the source through low consumption and focus our priorities on energy-saving measures, while
maintaining the minimum supply of gas and electricity. We will provide increased energy premiums
for protected customers. The social roof insulation programme will be reinforced and an additional
social programme for high efficiency glass and cavity wall insulation will be launched.
We will continue to strive for effective and customised cooperation between network operators,
OCMWs and other actors to avoid people succumbing to energy poverty as much as possible.
We will examine the way in which the financial risk associated with default payments for suppliers
can be reduced without end users’ bills being increased.
Competitive energy costs for businesses
In addition to the aforementioned measures to lower energy bills, the Government of Flanders, along
with the federal government will unambiguously compare the additional costs of gas and electricity
that apply to industrial consumers with those in other relevant countries and regions.
We will introduce an energy norm for energy-intensive companies that will ensure that the sum
of the additional costs and net tariffs are not higher than those in neighbouring countries. In this
respect, first and foremost we must safeguard the competitiveness of these companies.
Up to 2020, we will provide the existing maximum compensation regulation for indirect carbon
leakage using resources from the climate fund. This is necessary to safeguard our companies’
international competitiveness.
Reforming the energy landscape
We will ensure further streamlining of the distribution network operator structures in Flanders
and we will stimulate further integration in operating companies. We will have no objection if the
municipalities opt to maintain the two major distribution network operators because they mutually
encourage efficiency improvements.
We will make the extension of the statutory duration possible for all Flemish distribution network
operators (DNBs) until 2019. We will also apply the Flemish Parliament Act on Intermunicipal
Cooperation so that distribution network operators can call on private partners that are not involved
in energy generation.
The independence and optimal operations of the Flemish energy regulator VREG will be reinforced.
Immediately at the start of the legislative session, we will create a Flemish Parliament Act framework
based on European guidelines so that “VREG” can establish a tariff methodology as quickly as
possible. It will include the balances from the previous tariff periods, partly resulting from the federal
freezing of network charges, separately per network operator. This Flemish Parliament Act framework
will also provide guidelines for the tariff structure for pure network tariffs including a transition
measure up to 2016. This transition measure updates the existing tariff structure so that the network
allowance can be operationalised in an improved form by network operators in 2015. The transition
measure makes a tariff adjustment possible in 2015, which means that the funding shortages accrued
since 2012 will be eliminated as quickly as possible. The new tariffs for network-related costs are
cost-reflective.
Distribution network tariffs for electricity and gas will be reformed to produce pure network related
tariffs per target group so that they reflect the capacity reserved by a customer. The tariff is costreflective for acceptance and injection, taking into account the costs for constructing and using the
network and objectifiable differences will be integrated as will the density of the network (urban or
rural).
We will investigate the possibility of a uniform Flemish contribution for social and ecological public
service obligations. In the meantime, we will immediately abolish the ceiling on consolidation among
the distribution network operators for costs related to renewable energy.
In terms of energy services we want to avoid distribution network operators creating unfair
competition with regard to suppliers of energy services due to their activities related to the
collection and management of measurement data. Therefore, we want to guarantee non-
discriminatory treatment of energy services suppliers, in accordance with the energy
efficiency guideline.
The “Vlaams Energiebedrijf” (Flemish Energy Agency) will become a subsidiary of the “PMV” and
will be tasked with purchasing and selling-on energy to Flemish authorities (central and local and
entities, subject to the law of public procurement). This modified task will allow us to achieve
significant capital depreciation.
XIII. HOUSING
Housing is a basic right. Everyone has the right to suitable, affordable housing in a quality
environment.
The private sector is the main partner in the housing market. The government will play a supporting
role in providing an adequate supply in residential areas and building possibilities, standardisation
and a social correction where necessary. For social housing policy the main partners are the social
housing companies possibly in association with private actors.
Cities and municipalities are the orchestrators of local housing policy. The Government of Flanders
will limit regulations where possible to a regulatory framework, with the aim of promoting
customisation by local authorities in relation to the needs, requirements and the wishes of their
housing policy.
Given the impact of empty, uninhabitable and derelict properties in the local environment and the
responsibility that local authorities hold today in terms of compiling inventories of and monitoring
these properties, the taxation responsibility will be concentrated at the local level in a general
Flemish framework that avoids a double levy and administrative burden.
The Government of Flanders will also continue to support intermunicipal cooperation projects in the
future.
We will focus as much as possible on information sharing between entities in the housing policy area
on the one hand and other public entities on the other.
The Government of Flanders will also implement the “decreet Grond- en Pandenbeleid” (Flemish
Parliament Act on Land and Property Policy). Taking into account the destruction order of the
Constitutional Court concerned, the remaining instrumentarium will be optimally used with the aim
of achieving the proposed growth path, which will be extended to 2025. Progress reporting will also
be used to map achievements related to social housing construction in municipalities to accomplish
the proposed objectives. In addition, we will provide 6,000 extra homes in the modest housing
segment.
LAND POLICY
In consultation and association with local authorities we will compile an inventory in accordance
with Article 4.1.7 of the Flemish Parliament Act on Land and Property Policy of public and semipublic land. We will encourage legal entities (local authorities, OCMWs, Church councils, housing
companies, the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region etc.) to put land up for sale and/or
use it for general social needs related to housing and infrastructure. Local authorities will also be
encouraged to provide land through a long-term lease to social housing companies.
PROPERTY ACQUISITION WILL BE FURTHER ENCOURAGED
With the transfer of fiscal competence for home acquisition (home bonus) to Flanders we can
comprehensively review housing taxation. We want to continue to support property acquisition but
will also devote attention to the impact this support policy has on the property market and on the
government’s budgetary sustainability. We are also examining the possibility, within the framework of
the budgetary context, of providing a choice in the housing taxation system whereby taxpayers can
either opt to apply the home bonus when purchasing a property or benefit from a reduction in the
registration duty.
Existing contracts will be honoured under the agreed conditions. For contracts concluded as of 1
January 2015 we will reduce the basic amount of the assessment year 2015 by the amount of the
ten-year increase. We will maintain this increase of EUR 760 on top of the new basic amount for ten
years. For these contracts we will calculate the tax benefit at the rate of 40%. The home bonus can
be used twice at the most for the same property.
For existing contracts we will calculate the tax reduction maintaining the tax amounts for the
assessment year 2015.
We will work on budget-neutral simplification for registration duties and rework existing favourable
measures to achieve an overall lower rate for the family home. The philosophy of the portability of
the paid registration duties will be preserved.
We want a policy that offers even more Flemish people the opportunity to buy their own property.
With this in mind, we will provide an additional incentive where necessary to facilitate home
acquisition.
The Government of Flanders still believes it is important to develop social housing to put up for sale,
even if purchases are no longer supported with subsidies. Nevertheless, it will continue to respect
all the commitments made in the past, pursuant to the favourable opinion on local residential
consultation and notification to the “VMSW” (Flemish Social Housing Company). In addition to
suspending funding the Government of Flanders will develop a new framework for social purchasing
companies regarding the development and transfer of social housing that is put up for sale. In
this context, the role of the “IVA Inspectie RWO” (Spatial Planning, Housing Policy and Immovable
Heritage Policy Area (RWO) IVA inspectorate) will be reviewed and transformed.
The special social loans system will be objectified by, for example, taking regional diversification
of house prices into account when determining a property’s “maximum sale value”. We will also
limit conditions for awarding social loans by excluding private new builds, land purchases and
refinancing. We will examine how we can use the available resources to provide a just and necessary
impetus with an optimal reach.
We will explore whether the accredited loan companies could fulfil a complementary role in addition
to providing social loans. The double guarantee system will be integrated in light of the Government
of Flanders” overall guarantee position.
We will continue to promote insurance guaranteed housing in association with the banking sector
and social housing companies.
We will restore the principle of “living in your own region”, taking into account the remarks of the
Constitutional Court.
AN ACCESSIBLE PRIVATE RENTAL MARKET
The Government of Flanders wants to reinforce the private rental market.
The basic principles are affordability, the protection of quality housing and home security for tenants
and increased guarantees and payment security for landlords. Following the transfer of powers
related to rental housing, our first priority is to ensure the continuity and uniformity of regulations.
We will work on a Flemish Rental Codex that will establish its own priorities. Amendments
to legislation for rental properties will only be implemented following consultation with the
various parties concerned. In the event of a dispute related to an insurance claim the “Vlaamse
Wooninspectie” (Flemish Housing Inspectorate) will perform an investigation into the causality
starting with the inventory of fixtures as compiled at the beginning of the rental contract. This will
certainly take place if a Government of Flanders rent premium applies.
By adapting to modern day needs we aim to offer tenants and landlords better protection
against any adverse events, as well as adequate flexibility. We will strive to reduce administrative
burden, maximise transparency about responsibilities, facilitate long-term contracts, and make rent
adjustments possible with sustainable investments by, for example, introducing the renovation rental
agreement and guaranteeing housing quality.
We will work on incentive measures for renovation, redevelopment and long-term rental of
qualitative housing to third parties.
In addition, we will make efforts related to the timely application of rental subsidies and ensure that
they are granted to those people who really need them.
We will continue efforts related to protection against rent arrears and default payments for the
landlord on the one hand and home security for tenants on the other. We will evaluate the “Fonds
ter Preventie van Uithuiszettingen” (Fund for the Prevention of Evictions).
We will address derelict and dilapidated buildings. Temporary housing must be stimulated to, for
example, prevent squatting and insecurity. Municipalities and social housing companies will be
encouraged to purchase derelict buildings and renovate them or take them over and socially manage
them with the objective of obtaining a new land use classification as social housing. We will ensure
that derelict and dilapidated properties are easier to expropriate in accordance with social housing
policy.
THE SOCIAL RENTAL SECTOR
We will assess and comprehensively simplify the “kaderbesluit sociale huur” (Framework Decree on
Social Rental Property) with the aim of reinforcing the municipality and social landlord’s role as local
orchestrators. Social rental properties will subsequently be made available using temporary contracts
once the registration and eligibility criteria have been satisfied. Future rental price calculations for
social rental properties will take into account the property’s energy performance and renovation,
the resident’s income and regional differentiation will be possible. This is how we aim to promote
the transition to the private rental or sale market by those who are able to get a foothold on the
property ladder. Thus social housing can be made available to the most needy. Income limits will be
tested more quickly, own or part occupation of a property will be excluded in principle. With regard
to provisions related to the willingness to learn the language we will evolve from an effort directive
to a certified or proven result, with respect for the law and the right to housing.
Any form of fraud must be excluded.
We will strive for a higher occupancy rate and energy efficient renovation or redevelopment of the
existing property portfolio. New projects must meet modern housing requirements but especially the
needs of social tenants.
Vacant social housing will be kept to an absolute minimum. Furthermore, we will do our utmost to
optimise the occupancy rate of the social housing portfolio.
We will evaluate the “Financieringsbesluit” (Funding Decree), “Procedurebesluit” (Procedure Decree)
and management fees.
Among other things, in relation to shorter procedures, less administrative burden and efficiency
gains, this will also take place with the VMSW’s ABC and the “Infrastructuurbesluit” (Infrastructure
Decree) related to providing a realistic quality level.
The binding social objective for rental properties will be maintained in relation to an optimal
distribution of the supply of social housing in Flanders. By 2019, each social housing company must
possess a minimum number of 1,000 social properties, whether or not in a continuous operational
area. If, according to its progress reports, a social housing company is not on target to achieve the
average binding social objective related to the operational area, its accreditation will be withdrawn
unless it can demonstrate that external factors are responsible for its failure to achieve the objective.
Prioritising will mean that inspections can be continued to optimise and professionalise the
operations of social housing companies in relation to their performance indicators.
We will highlight the important role played by social rental agencies. Social rental agencies will be
accredited in their role as intermediaries between the private rental market and social tenants. The
social rental agencies will receive optimal support so that they can further develop their activities
and obtain a wider range of properties to increase the amount under their management. The “SVKbesluit” (Social Rental Agency Decree) will therefore be evaluated and amended where necessary.
Private actors must have the opportunity to provide their properties as social housing on a
voluntary basis, whether or not in a broader private project without a takeover warranty. We will
continue efforts to develop the “constructive approach to public procurement” procedure related
to the purchase of good housing and design and build. We will examine the pros and cons and
further develop the “constructive approach to public procurement” (CBO) procedure within a defined
budgetary framework to breathe new life into achievements in social housing.
The responsibilities of the “Toezicht van het agentschap Inspectie RWO” (Surveillance Service in the
Spatial Planning, Housing Policy and Immovable Heritage Policy Area’s Inspectorate Agency), which
will be integrated in the new Environmental policy area, will be assessed and adjusted where
necessary and reduced to its essence.
XIV. EDUCATION
The level of Flemish education is outstanding. This was revealed once again by international
comparative research. We can be rightly proud of this top performance and we can continue to build
on this success. However there are also bottlenecks and we must tackle them in a judicious and
targeted manner if we want to maintain our leading position.
Therefore, Education must be ambitious. Setting the bar high provides motivation and positive
results. We must encourage teachers and pupils and support then in their ambition to reach
ever higher, so that when every child graduates, he or she is able to cope with the challenges of
tomorrow with a broad education and training.
Our objective is an education policy that sets its sights on this goal. We will draft this policy with
all stakeholders, including coordinating organisations, the GO! and trade unions. We will start with
a clearly defined role distribution for the partners. The government must assume responsibility for
establishing unambiguous frameworks for the “what”. More specifically: what do we expect pupils
to know and be able to do and what attitudes must they develop by a certain point in their school
career? The Government of Flanders will allocate resources to this end: a framework, operational
resources, investment resources and in-service training resources. In short, the government will define
and safeguard the objectives, the framework and cross-compliance for providing quality education.
The way in which knowledge and skills are applied - the “how” - remains a task for the schools.
The government will give the schools and teachers the necessary trust, with ex-post control and as
little planning burden as possible. It must also be a lot more restrained in allocating new tasks to
education, such as those related to social problems or even parenting issues. The focus must return
to the core tasks of education: developing the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to ensure
young people can participate in and contribute to society in a critical, socially-involved, autonomous,
tolerant, creative and responsible manner.
Therefore, we will resolutely focus on people. The school is where it all effectively happens. We will
position the pupils, teachers and school management at the centre once more. It is the people in
whom we want to invest because they are the ones that are literally responsible for shaping the
sector’s future on a daily basis. For this they deserve trust and proper support, from the government
and more broadly, from society.
QUALITY AND SIMPLIFICATION
•
We will reduce the number of administrative obligations and provisions for accountability. When
developing new educational regulations we will apply the “rule pressure” test. We will implement
the supported recommendations in the “Stand Up Against the Planning Burden” (Kom op tegen
planlast) report.
•
We will safeguard the principles of the “Kwaliteitsdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Quality) of
2009 related to quality control in schools, but when applying it we will place more importance
on the schools’ own responsibility. We want to place more of an emphasis on quality policy
developed by schools. We will make clear agreements about the standards to be adopted
by the inspectorate if shortcomings are discovered related to the quality requirements via
Flemish Parliament Act and the instruments the school can be asked to submit in relation to
accountability. In any case evaluation policy is one element of a school’s complete autonomy.
We will engage in dialogue with schools and parents about how we can actually reduce the
increasing legal involvement in our education system, in which decisions taken by class councils
and school governing bodies are increasingly submitted to the court.
•
All pupils will be tested at the end of primary education. The objective is to be able to provide
feedback in the context of internal quality control of the schools in the form of data collected
at the system level. We will agree with education providers to validate the existing “OVSG”
tests (Educational Secretariat of the Cities and Municipalities of the Flemish Community) and
inter-diocesan tests in consultation with the “Steunpunt Toetsontwikkeling” (Test Development
Support Centre), which designs the assessment tests and parallel tests. This allows us to develop
a test toolkit. With the same objective in mind we will hold discussions with secondary
education providers and we will examine how the existing assessment tests can provide the
basis for this.
•
We will assess the attainment targets with the aim of reducing them and wording them in a
less ambiguous manner. We will afford schools more freedom in designing their curriculum.
The subjects will remain unchanged and it is the curriculum developers that decide which
competences must be achieved in the various subject or subject groups. It must also be clear
which teacher or person is responsible for elaborating and achieving them.
•
We will ensure that each study option is effectively aligned with higher education and/or the
labour market. To this end, there will be structural consultation with the labour market at the
Flemish as well as the regional level. There will be consultation with higher education to better
align secondary education attainment targets to entry competences for higher education.
•
We will assess the procedure for developing vocational and educational qualifications and we
•
We will implement the Flemish Parliament Act on Measures for Pupils with Specific Educational
will adjust them to achieve a working method that responds to social changes more quickly.
Needs (Maatregelen voor leerlingen met specifieke onderwijsbehoeften) and closely monitor the
results with a special focus on the potential impact on pupils with specific educational needs,
the teachers involved and fellow pupils in schools offering standard education. We will carry out
adjustments where necessary. We will provide clear future perspectives for children whose best
development opportunities are offered by special education.
•
Together with the “AKOV” (Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Training) we will
hold discussions with providers of collective home education, with the aim of optimising the
chances of success in Examination Board examinations. They will supplement their range of
options and/or adapt them if necessary. If additions/adjustments risk limiting their pedagogic
and educational project - in light of the constitutional freedom of education - the provider will
communicate the alternative that will be offered.
•
To reduce truancy we will continue our efforts related to prevention and action to combat the
•
We will create a new and simple Flemish Parliament Act foundation for school registrations, in
problem more quickly.
which we will maximise parents’ freedom of choice. In the meantime, we will ensure that the
current registration regulations no longer apply to special education. Furthermore, we will seek a
solution to the issue of multiple enrolments and registrations.
INFRASTRUCTURE
•
We will develop a Master Plan for School Buildings (Masterplan Scholenbouw). We will create
additional school capacity, firstly in cities and municipalities where the capacity pressure is
greatest. Throughout Flanders as a whole we will tackle school buildings on the waiting list that
find themselves in the most urgent situation. A multiannual budget is required to facilitate a
project-based utilisation of the resources.
•
The new or renewed school buildings must be multifunctional and be made available for the
local community (for childcare, hobby, amateur and sports clubs and local associations etc.) and
for play, youth and sports activities etc. in the school holidays. Schools will be able to apply
for compensation to cover costs for making their premises available. We will align the different
regulations and guidelines. It will be possible to combine subsidy flows providing there is no
overlap.
•
We also want to use alternative funding options - insofar as it this feasible, desirable and taking
into account the impact of the “ESR” (European System of National and Regional Accounts) and
the impact on the level of debt and legal simplicity.
A CAREER IN TEACHING
•
We will reform teacher training. The policy evaluation and reports by the thematic working
groups can be used to this end. In each case entrants to teacher training courses will have to
participate in a non-binding admission test to register. This non-binding admission test will be
evaluated after three years. When developing the new teacher training course we will focus on
knowledge of the subject matter to be taught as well as the necessary teaching skills and class
management. We expect educational institutions to take responsibility for providing enough
unpaid traineeships.
•
We will conclude a pact with the trade unions and education providers to make a career in
teaching more appealing and to increase the number of teachers who remain in the profession.
We will particularly focus on teacher recruitment, initial support, workload and job security
for new teachers and on generally making the job more professional. We will opt for a phased
approach so that partial agreements on certain aspects are possible also from the perspective of
a comprehensive vision.
·
We will incorporate more flexibility and autonomy for educational institutions so they can
introduce an effective personnel policy. This will allow schools to provide a more qualitative
framework and use their teachers optimally and more efficiently in the classroom. We will
encourage research focused on teacher’s teaching behaviour (Praxis research) and improve it.
NURSERY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION
•
We will strive for maximum participation in nursery education. We will do our utmost to
get children into school from the age of three. To do so, we will call on the assistance of
organisations such as “Huizen van het Kind” (Houses of the Child).
•
In primary education we will maintain an integrated approach but in the final years we will
invest even more in discovering and developing talent, in which science and technology will be
further developed as a separate subject area thus affording it equal importance.
•
We will adopt an active language policy to increase linguistic knowledge of standard Dutch and
modern foreign languages. Therefore the attainment targets for foreign languages (French, English
or German) must be formulated in a more ambitious manner. Language initiation in primary
education could be offered in English, French or German once pupils have adequately mastered
standard Dutch. Projects involving the use of foreign languages in ‘zaakvakken’ (geography,
history and science) in secondary education are also options.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
•
We will implement the “Masterplan Hervorming Secundair Onderwijs” (Master Plan for Secondary
Education Reform) in consultation with the education sector.
INCREASING THE VALUE OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
•
We will work on modern, quality educational materials for (industrial) technical and vocational
courses in secondary education so that pupils learn to work with equipment they will also have
to operate in the labour market. To this end, we will cooperate with the “VDAB”, the private
sector, adult education, “Syntra” and higher education.
•
We will roll out the “STEM Actieplan” (STEM Action Plan) and continue to develop the “Actieplan
werk maken van werk in de zorgsector” (Working on a Profession in the Care Sector Action Plan)
and inspire pupils using specific measures, to choose science and technology courses as well as
care courses.
•
In the framework of the “Werkgelegenheidspact” (Employment Pact) we will invite employers to
•
Together with the work policy area we will create an integrated dual system of learning and
fully engage in offering quality unpaid traineeships for technical and vocational courses.
working, which in terms of policy and society will be considered equal to all other forms of
secondary education and that offers opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs. The
new Flemish competence - the industrial apprenticeship - will act as a lever. Dual training forms
constitute fully-fledged educational courses and are a useful instrument in the fight against
unqualified outflows and youth unemployment. A dual learning-working route can also be an
appropriate solution for young people without any qualifications that are older than eighteen
years of age, to allow them to obtain a qualification. In the learning and working system we
offer students customisation based on comprehensive and neutral screening and induction.
We will guarantee every student that enrols in a dual learning and working track specific
work experience in (private) enterprise. Results-driven funding must help us achieve the work
component. We will remove any differences in status and wages. Syntra Flanders will be assigned
a clear orchestrating role to achieve the work component for labour market-mature young
people. We will work to reverse the downward trend in participation of the apprenticeship
scheme.
•
We will develop a clear legal framework for the different forms of workplace learning and
alternating learning and working (sandwich courses). This will unambiguously define the rights
and obligations of the pupil/student/course participant, the educational or training institution
and the company. We will minimise the administrative formalities and financial consequences for
schools and companies. We will hold discussions with other authorities that impose obligations
in this area.
•
We will encourage a sense of enterprise and entrepreneurship from nursery to higher education
and by bringing schools’ partners into the classroom to promote entrepreneurship.
HIGHER EDUCATION
•
Before pupils take the step to higher education we will provide proper school career support
in secondary education and effective admission assessment for higher education. Pupils will
thus obtain an insight into their own talent and interests and in the possibilities of entering
higher education and/or the labour market offered by the different course options in secondary
education. Based on comprehensive screening of all the study options offered in secondary
education we will clearly identify which subsequent courses they will or will not be prepared
for in higher education/the labour market (matrix exercise) for each secondary education
study option. Compulsory non-binding orientation tests at the end of secondary education
and compulsory non-binding admission tests organised by higher education institutions will
constitute important elements in the process of study orientation for higher education. These
non-binding admission tests will be introduced gradually for all courses by 2018-2019 at the
latest and with an assessment per test after three years following the introduction of the nonbinding admission tests for the course concerned.
•
The framework of the “Masterplan Hervorming Secundair Onderwijs” states that pupils from
vocational secondary education, (BSO)/labour market focused study options, must successfully
complete a general school year.
•
In close consultation with secondary education and higher education providers we will further
examine how the transition can be optimised for pupils when they want to enrol in a higher
education course that does not relate to their secondary education study option. With this in
mind, we will examine whether a compulsory, customised, individual preparatory course or
passing a binding admission test are feasible options.
•
Together with associations, colleges of higher education and universities we will make
agreements related to the study progress policy. In doing so, we will eliminate the undesirable
effects of increased flexibility (such as those related to study credit and an excessively long
transition period). The assessment of the “Financieringsdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on
Funding) and the specific working group’s findings related to the orientation and study progress
policy will form the basis for this.
•
The evaluation of the “Financieringsdecreet Hoger Onderwijs” (Flemish Parliament Act on
Funding for Higher Education) forms the starting point for adapting the system and making it
more transparent using, for example, a comprehensive evaluation of weighting. Henceforth we
will also search for synergies with science policy at the funding level.
•
We will update the “Vlaams Academisch bibliografisch” (Flemish Academic Bibliographic
database) for social and human sciences so that publications in Dutch and contributions to the
social debate are valued more.
•
We have achieved significant progress in quality assurance with the introduction of an
institutional review - using the new accreditation system for higher education. In the case of a
positive evaluation of the institutional review we will move on to the next step in which the
institutions are responsible and accountable for the quality of courses.
•
Together with associations, colleges of higher education and universities we will work on
streamlining the courses offered in higher education. To maintain a clear overview of the higher
education landscape in terms of supply and name we will examine the interrelation of each
course. We will offer courses with a high level of interrelation as a study option and not so much
as separate courses. New courses included in the funding model can only be developed if another
course is phased out. This phasing out does not necessarily have to occur at the same institution
than the one requesting the course. The existing criteria for extending study options in higher
education will be strictly applied.
•
We will strive to make our higher education more international. We will encourage all students
in higher education to follow an internship or course lasting at least three months in a different
country or language area. We will simultaneously implement an active policy related to student
migration. We will introduce a study permit similar to work permits. If people decide to take up
the right to study in Flanders this will be automatically linked to the right of residence.
•
We will continue to support forms of distance learning in higher education such as the Open
•
We will develop higher vocational education into a fully-fledged component of higher education.
University.
We will devote particular attention to effective regional distribution and labour-market-oriented
courses, which integrate learning and working.
ADULT EDUCATION
•
The evaluation of adult education partly forms the basis for redrawing the landscape in terms of
organisation and funding as well as in terms of staff and the related framework. In this respect,
we will opt for redeployment and a funding mechanism that require providers to use the
resources in a rational manner.
PART-TIME ART EDUCATION
•
We will draft a “level” Flemish Parliament Act for part-time art education together with Flemish
municipalities and other actors involved. In doing so, we will encourage new cooperation with
compulsory education and leisure actors.
NT2
•
We will implement initiatives to increase knowledge of Dutch (language screening, language
immersion classes and refresher courses) and provide schools with the necessary support. We will
also encourage parents to learn Dutch.
•
We will better align options for learning Dutch as a second language to needs, in terms of
quality and quantity for persons integrating for whom it is compulsory as well as for people
who voluntarily choose to learn Dutch. We will do so certainly in light of the increased level of
NT2 in civic orientation. There is a need for more combined learning routes and courses during
holidays and at weekends and during evenings depending on the needs and skills of the NT2
course participant and with adequate geographical distribution to allow persons integrating to
participate as quickly as possible in social and economic activities. To achieve this the resources
for organising the supply of NT2 courses will be managed by the minister responsible for civic
integration. To fill any gaps we will develop supply with private providers.
•
The “Huizen van het Nederlands” (Houses of Dutch) will be incorporated in the “Agentschap
Integratie & Inburgering”.
THE SCHOOLS LANDSCAPE
•
We will strive for administrative optimisation of the education landscape in nursery and primary
education and secondary education, respecting individuality and in the spirit of the principle of
subsidiarity. We will encourage schools to work more closely together so that they will be able
to meet the challenges of the future. They will determine how they do so. New administrative
models must also retain the individual school’s identity and its roots in the local community. We
will resolutely continue to strive for the proximity of schools for nursery and primary education.
•
In terms of pupil guidance the respective responsibilities of parents, the teaching team, school,
“CLB” (pupil guidance centre) and the welfare sector must be better defined. Overlaps and
fragmentation will be eradicated. With regard to pupil guidance centres we will await the results
of the ongoing audit to take decisions about their additional responsibilities and organisation to
achieve optimal pupil guidance.
•
We will focus the role and funding of educational support services once more on support for
teachers. The recommendations resulting from inspection of the educational support services
included in the different Monard reports must be followed up by the support services. We will
plan a second inspection in the second half of the legislative session during which we will
examine whether the educational support services have effectively achieved their objectives.
•
We will increase cooperation in official education (municipal, urban and provincial education
and community education). Proposals by the “Expertencomissie één publiek net” (Single Public
Network Committee of Experts) could serve as the basis for this. In any case we will strive to
locally embed public nursery and primary education.
•
With regard to support for boarding schools we will phase out the differences between the
•
In terms of operational resources we will evolve towards a basic allowance that is equal for each
networks.
child based on the level (nursery, primary, secondary) and the study option. In official education
we will continue to provide an additional allowance, pursuant to obligations to supply different
ethical subjects and freedom of choice.
•
If desired, municipalities can fully assume their role of orchestrator in the context of local
educational policy whether or not in association with other municipalities. Therefore, we will
develop a plan of action to seamlessly arrange the transfer of the “LOP” (local platforms for
dialogue) operations to local authorities so that expertise that has been built up is not lost. The
timing will follow that of the “Inschrijvingsdecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Registration).
•
It must be possible to identify each public school with an open nature as a “free choice school”.
We will therefore abolish the condition of working with an official “CLB”. This means that the
network of free choice schools will be more fine-meshed.
•
In Brussels too we will strive for adequate capacity expansion for nursery and compulsory
education so that people who turn to the Flemish Community are actually able to find a place
for their child.
XV. WELFARE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FAMILY
GENERAL FRAMEWORK AND PRINCIPLES FOR A CARING SOCIETY
The Flemish Community’s welfare and public health policy must strive for an inclusive Flanders. This
Government of Flanders’ ambition is to implement social policy so that all Flemish people benefit
from maximum support and are able to fully participate in society.
We are aware that there is still a long way to go before this ambition is achieved. More than ever the
perspective of the patient, customer or person requesting help must determine the organisation of
the care provided.
A considerable number of structural reforms were introduced during the previous legislative session
such as those related to personal funding for the disabled, childcare, foster care, data sharing, general
social work, integral youth support, etc. The Government of Flanders views these new movements as
fundamental to the new policy and will continue to build on them but will also assess and adjust
them where necessary. The basic principle for all this, as defined in the already cited reforms, is an
evolution towards a more demand-driven care and welfare model, which safeguards (intersectoral)
cooperation, continuity, efficiency and ease of use.
In addition to an emancipatory vision of the patient/customer that shapes his or her care route as
much as possible, it is also important to reinforce and increase the value of the patient/customer’s
immediate social network. In recent years, the Government of Flanders has consistently supported
the socialisation of care. This social vision involves people with a specific support or care need being
able to take up a useful place in society.
The organisational model must therefore strive for prevention, early detection and early intervention
and be based on effectively understood subsidiarity: the least intrusive support if possible, more
intensive and specialist support and care if necessary.
We will value and support volunteers and informal caregivers as the cornerstones of society. They are
living proof of solidarity and make a disinterested but extremely important contribution to society.
Lastly, policy related to Welfare, Public Health and Family, in which the citizen occupies a central
position, also requires an accessible and transparent administration in which the service’s customerfriendly aspect is key.
This Government of Flanders believes in the power of social enterprise to provide care and support
needs and wants to afford it the scope to do so. We will strive for increased autonomy and trust in
the partners that help implement our policy objectives. To enforce quality and ease of use the focus
will be on outcome and ex-post control. We will minimise rules and administrative simplification
will be the order of the day. We attach considerable importance to effective corporate governance
in our partners and will afford them enough freedom to fulfil their missions and achieve their
objectives. Good corporate governance, systematic efforts related to performance and efficiency and
transparency among others when it comes to the quality of the care, support and services provided
are explicit expectations for anyone that is involved in care and welfare. The use of IT is still under
full development. We must reinforce this evolution and enhance its sustainability. This will allow us
to achieve a higher quality service, administrative simplification and efficiency gains.
The facilities and services, to which the Flemish Parliament Act on Quality applies, will be
organised so that the customer or patient can count on the service being guaranteed in Dutch. The
enforcement policy strictly monitors respect for these essential quality requirements.
The Government of Flanders is convinced that in this way, and partly on the basis of the budgetary
priorities that it allocates to this challenge, it is possible to make significant progress in improving the
ease of use of numerous support and care demands and to reduce waiting lists. We fully recognise
local authorities (municipalities and OCMWs) as crucial partners in welfare, health and family policy.
We recognise their role as orchestrators and believe it is important that they clearly distinguish this
role, one way or another, from their potential role as an actor, in order to gain the trust of all actors
in the field. In addition, we will provide scope for establishing specific priorities together with the
largest cities and in the Flemish Periphery around Brussels. We will work on appropriate policy for
Flemish people in our capital city and adopt the Brussels norm in this respect, which means that for
its policy the Flemish Community will assume 30% of the Brussels population as its target group and
that 5% of the resources used for community competences will be reserved and used for Brussels.
The implementation of the sixth state reform and the administrative approach
The transfer of powers pursuant to the sixth state reform present us with a series of new challenges
but also offer a great many opportunities. The sixth state reform leaves no Welfare, Public Health and
Family policy untouched. Protocols and cooperation partnerships have been concluded to ensure
that this reform is conducted smoothly. In the first instance these protocols and necessary legislative
initiatives by the Government of Flanders guarantee continuity. Cooperation partnerships still need
to be negotiated and concluded in several areas such as those related to data sharing in care and
welfare areas.
In the medium term the transferred powers must be incorporated in a manner that is substantively
harmonious, efficient and transparent for the citizen. To achieve this we will work on the
implementation based on this coalition agreement.
In preparation for the implementation we will consult with the organisations/service providers,
social partners, care funds, users, experts, scientists and administrative bodies involved.
This will allow us to implement the principles to expand Flemish social protection. It is the ambition
of this Government of Flanders to develop fully-fledged Flemish Social Protection, which is able to
count on broad support from the Flemish people and embodies our solidarity with our vulnerable
fellow citizens.
The Government of Flanders recognises and values the inestimable value of social consultation,
civil society and its many volunteers in Flemish society. Given the importance of the transferred
powers and the scope of the social challenges the Government of Flanders believes that systematic
consultation and guaranteeing effective social support for the approach is vital.
The Government of Flanders believes that the social partners must be involved in a structural
manner in Flemish policy related to Welfare, Public Health and Family and the way in which the new
powers are incorporated.
To this effect a tripartite consultation model will be established in which the Government of Flanders
and employer and employee representatives will participate similar to the “VESOC” (Flemish Economic
and Social Consultative Committee) consultation model. Partners in the Welfare, Public Health and
Family policy area will also be allocated full participation in this consultation as will the Flemish
minister responsible. We will ask partners of SERV to ensure that the representatives are indeed
representative of employers and employees in the care and welfare sector. The Government considers
the agreements that will be reached in this consultation as binding. If a consensus cannot be reached
the Government of Flanders will assume its political responsibility.
The Government aims to give this specific consultation an institutional character and will create a
specific regulatory basis to achieve this.
The establishment and composition of the “WGG” (Strategic Advisory Council for Flemish Welfare,
Health and Family Policy) and a number of advisory committees offers an opportunity to guarantee
the consultation and involvement of social partners and other civil society organisations that
represent users or service providers, in the operational implementation of the new Flemish powers
related to Welfare, Public Health and Family.
Where possible we will simplify the Flemish administrative landscape. Here, too, the principles of
efficiency and customer-friendliness will form the basis. Given the transfer of a considerable number
of powers related to health and the existing demand for the care professions concerned, we will
formalise the existing informal consultation at the Government of Flanders level, in which we will
focus sufficiently on the representativeness and diversity of the different groups represented. We will
establish a regulatory framework for this purpose.
Flemish social protection
The development of the “Decreet Vlaamse Sociale Bescherming” (Flemish Parliament Act on Flemish
Social Protection) laid the foundations for Flemish social security. Flemish care insurance has already
been anchored and safeguarded for the future. We will also use the possibility that existing health
insurance offers to support the disabled. During the upcoming legislative session the new powers
offer us a unique opportunity to further develop Flemish social protection. This is based on a vision
to reinforce the customer and prioritises residential care, prevention and increasing self-reliance. This
is how the Government of Flanders will define a fully-fledged “care” policy. This applies to all care for
persons who share the fact that they are dependent on others and need support in their everyday
life and to perform everyday activities during an extended period for whatever reason.
Flemish social protection is a national insurance with rights and individual allowances, (care
insurance, THAB allowance for help for the elderly, etc.) allocated on the basis of residency (in
Flanders and Brussels (choice)) and payment of a premium. An adapted Flemish social protection
will be developed for Flemish Brussels residents, which takes account of the transfer of power in
the context of the sixth state reform. Participation in the national insurance will be compulsory in
Flanders. Flemish Brussels residents can choose whether or not to participate in the Flemish social
protection.
We will achieve efficiency gains and transparency for the citizen by combining different allowances
and systems of income-related care in a single Flemish social protection. This must make it possible
to make income referencing and care needs grading, etc. more uniform and simpler.
The social protection will be financed with general resources and a premium paid by all residents.
Anyone who is entitled to an increased allowance in health insurance will pay a lower amount.
Using an implementation plan and with a Flemish Parliament Act basis, the following powers will
be incorporated in the concept of Flemish social protection and integrated in the existing “IVA
Zorgfonds” (IVA Care Fund) that will be converted into the “IVA Vlaamse Sociale Bescherming” (IVA
Flemish Social Protection):
•
•
•
The care insurance scheme;
•
•
•
Rehabilitation;
Support assistance for the elderly;
Demand-driven funding for residential care of the elderly, care in sheltered housing and
psychiatric care homes and (disability-specific) support for the disabled;
Systems of income-referencing for personal contribution arrangements for residential care;
Age-unrelated devices and mobility aids.
The Government is convinced that this must all be accompanied by achievements in efficiency gains.
We will also streamline it with other sectors related to the WVG policy area that currently operate
with income-related rates.
As a result Flemish social protection will constitute a recognisable set of rights. We will prevent
people having to approach different bodies and deal with diverse procedures. This must lead to
efficiency gains.
We will work on a renewed Flemish consultation model for Flemish social protection with care
providers, representatives of the customer, care funds and social partners and independent experts
and evolve towards an effective model of complementarity in which each level cooperates with
respect for everyone’s responsibilities and choices. This consultation model, based on the principle of
increasing a sense of responsibility, will be incorporated in the advisory committees of “IVA Zorg en
Gezondheid” (IVA Care and Health) and the “IVA Zorgfonds”; the latter will be converted to the “IVA
Vlaamse Sociale Bescherming”.
The integration of all these allowances and rights in the social protection system must result in more
streamlined access to rights to allowances and care. Avoiding excessive bureaucratic steps and long
allocation procedures is crucial in this respect. A far-reaching digitisation and simplification of the
system (using e-government for example) must lead to cost-efficient implementation. The care fund
will collect the contribution, inform, handle the application, guarantee that the case is followed up,
assess whether the conditions are satisfied, decide and pay out according to the existing “Decreet
op de Zorgverzekering” (Flemish Parliament Act on the Care Insurance Scheme) and the implementing
decree based on the latter. In accordance with the “Decreet Persoonsvolgende Financiering voor
Personen met een Beperking” (Flemish Parliament Act on Personal Funding for the Disabled) the
VAPH (Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities) will be responsible for paying out the support in
the second pillar (cash/voucher).
We will develop a uniform grading system and align the different ones that exist. We will strive for
maximum automatic entitlement allocations.
With regard to the care insurance scheme we will consider abolishing the sanction that involves the
loss of entitlement in the event of failure to pay in time. To further reduce fines we will expand the
possibility of deducting unpaid contributions from the allowances.
Organisation of the range of (care) options
Prevention, health promotion and early detection
Prevention, health promotion and early detection play a key role in Flemish health policy. Efficiency
is paramount. We will involve all primary care actors (pharmacists, (independent) care providers, etc.).
We will expand the existing system of health targets with new health targets if the necessary crosscompliance and support can be created.
We will test agreements related to health and performance targets for preventive and curative
healthcare at the inter-federal level and the necessary scope will be maintained for community and
regional specific objectives. The “Instituut voor de Toekomst” (Institute for the Future) as defined
in the “Vlinderakkoord” (Butterfly agreement), represents the ultimate forum for fine-tuning them
where necessary.
Moreover, to achieve this it must be possible to conclude asymmetric agreements with the “VRIZIV”
(National Institute for Sickness and Invalidity Insurance).
We will work on a selectivity policy in the context of preventive healthcare in general and mental
healthcare in particular. In this respect, we will highlight the importance of support for health
promoting education and work environments, for a positive public perception of mental health and
the involvement of local authorities.
A quick response can often prevent a situation from worsening; in this context we will encourage
the general public to follow a First Aid course.
Primary healthcare
The Government of Flanders is convinced that the development and reinforcement of primary care
is crucial, especially given the increasing need for effective chronic care, care continuity, care for
the elderly and mental healthcare. We want to move from our care facilities’ strengths with their
diversity to forms in which primary care providers operate.
This also implies that the individual patient/customer must be involved in the decisions involving
his or her care and that we also recognise him or her as an expert is his or her condition or need
for support. To reinforce this we will develop a charter that clearly defines the customer/patient’s
(collective) rights.
Diverse primary care network structures are currently in operation. In consultation with the
stakeholders we will work on an operational plan to strengthen, align, simplify and integrate primary
care structures. The sixth state reform creates the momentum for this challenge with the transfer
of support for primary health professions and of the organisation of primary healthcare (General
Practitioner Groups, Local Multidisciplinary Networks, Integrated Residential Care Services, palliative
networks and palliative multidisciplinary teams).
Building on the possibilities of the “Zorgregio-Decreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Care Regions)
and the conclusions of the two primary healthcare conferences, we want to bring together all care
sectors at the regional level and the care objectives established at the Flemish level, refine them in
quantitative terms (e.g. reduction% or progress%), promote their implementation and monitor ease
of use of the range of care facilities in the care region (flag any impending oversupply or gaps in care).
Lastly, we want to stimulate dialogue at this level between the different health and welfare subsectors in the care region.
At the small-town level we will ensure that practical support and patient-oriented functions for
primary care are included (support for local group operations, facilitation of multidisciplinary
consultation, the provision of 24 hour cover). The best way to structure these services is at the
meso-level.
We will continue the Impulseo Fund’s operations that provide incentives for newly qualified general
practitioners and support for GPs and groups of GPs and examine how we can improve them. We
will create a framework for organisational models for the practical implementation of primary care
that could offer sustainable solutions for chronic care needs.
We will guarantee effective flows of available scientific evidence related to (bio) medical aspects of
health complaints.
Positioning and planning for hospitals in a network
We will transform our health landscape into a care system that better reflects the needs of citizens
and that allows it to better respond to (changing) care demands. We will do this by expanding the
scope of strategic care planning for hospitals as an instrument for development (redevelopment).
Obtaining a planning permit or approval will shift from an institution’s individually enforceable
right to a process that is subject to collective responsibility. In this context, we will encourage the
development of new/alternative forms of care (care hotels, rest homes, rehabilitation stays, etc.)
Due to a wave of mergers in recent decades the average Flemish hospital is characterised by
significant redeployment. A framework must be created that slows down the further duplication
and unnecessary diffusion of high-tech and highly specialised services. The concentration of complex
pathology with a clear link between volume and outcome must be encouraged and monitored
using (outcome) indicators. We will strive for networks in which cooperation between hospitals
is encouraged on the one hand and horizontal networks with partners in the region involved in
care and welfare are encouraged on the other. Integrated care will only be achieved if hospitals,
general practitioners and also “assisted living” partners involved in primary care, work together in a
horizontal care continuum or “horizontal” network.
The place of private clinics in the care landscape needs to be further tested. In any case these could
be expanded as long as they respond to the same quality tests as traditional hospitals and can
provide the necessary guarantees related to the continuity of care and patient safety.
Rehabilitation
We will work on a streamlined Flemish rehabilitation policy with diversification of the supply
of rehabilitation services and the positioning of rehabilitation agreements in the rehabilitation
landscape. The supply of care facilities must be developed in a demand-driven manner based on the
patient’s specific rehabilitation needs.
Care and support for the elderly and the disabled
We want Flemish people with (emerging) care needs (the elderly, the disabled, etc.) to be able to
continue to take decisions themselves for as long as possible with regard to the provision of their
care needs and demands, and enable people to continue to live in their own home environment for
as long as possible. With this in mind, we will focus on support and care for people in their own
home environment. We will stimulate the development of a neighbourhood-based approach that
provides support for people in their own homes. This is based on people’s actual needs. This will
involve local authorities/OCMWs performing an orchestrating role.
In this framework the Government of Flanders is exploring the possibility of an integrated Flemish
policy for supporting home adjustments. The integration of powers as a result of the State Reform
must also help define this vision. Existing and new regulations must also stimulate this movement.
We want to properly inform and support all people, their family and their environment in their
choice of support and care.
Outpatient care and support
We will systematically work on an age-unrelated resources policy. This policy will be integrated in a
broader care concept in which residential care, self-reliance promotion and participation in society
are key. Routes will be defined for the reuse of resources where this can provide a cost-efficient
and qualitative solution to the support need. We will work on increased transparency in pricing for
resources and alternative funding models must be explored.
We will provide a growth path for the different residential care services in relation to the aging
population, socialisation of care and the principle of subsidiarity. This vision will result in the
different target groups being able to call on easily accessible types of residential care such as
babysitting, family support, help with chores and cleaning, support related to resources policy for
regional and local service centres, guest care, support plans and care support services by social
services provided by the health insurance fund. We will encourage cooperation in residential care
services. We will increasingly evolve family support to create a system that must be flexible, with a
particular focus on the most vulnerable.
Therefore, residential policy focuses on housing for people that need support, care and help. In this
respect, we will strive for more intensive cooperation between the housing and welfare policy areas.
The housing-welfare projects will be evaluated and this evaluation will result in lessons that will
lead in the short term to regulatory initiatives that produce structural embedding for positively
assessed projects and that lead to a framework with minimal rules for new initiatives that should
facilitate flexibility, efficiency gains and innovation.
Care for the elderly
We will work on a new organisational and funding model for (residential) care for the elderly and
thus encourage the development of innovative models. The new powers related to price control
will also be embedded in this new approach. Before introducing comprehensive changes to existing
funding systems, we will test concepts of personal funding for care for the elderly. We will explore
the possibility of reconverting residential capacity and available permits, granted previously, to
other suitable forms of care. We will examine whether we can develop a uniform and transparent
system to register demand similar to that for a person looking for childcare. In the meantime, we will
increase the number of beds, with funding adjusted to the intensity of care grading.
In the meantime, we will also work on aligning the differences in regulations and funding for supply
and thus facilitate flexibility. In this respect, we will strive for intersectoral cooperation between care
for the elderly (residential as well as residential care), mental healthcare, youth welfare and care and
support for people with a disability.
We will aim to make a wider combination of different forms and formulas of care possible at a single
site or in an outpatient environment.
We will continue to roll out the “Transitieplan Dementiekundige Basiszorg” (Dementia Expert Basic
Care Transition Plan) and begin consultation with the federal government to develop the role of
the (general) practitioner, pharmacist, physical therapist and other medical assistants working in the
context of the “Transitieplan”.
We will work on an inclusive Flanders that grows old actively and healthily and stimulates agefriendly environments. We will translate this in the new “Vlaams Ouderenbeleidsplan” (Flemish Policy
Plan for the elderly) and review the methodology on the basis of several long-term objectives. The
different policy areas will take account of the opinions of elderly people. The management agreement
with the “Vlaamse Ouderenraad” (Flemish Council for the elderly) will continue.
People that care for their family and/or friends must receive far more support and appreciation than
they do today. This can be achieved by also guaranteeing anyone that acts as an informal caregiver
that they can count on the support of the (local) authorities, welfare services and care when
necessary. They will no longer have to worry about the time when the required care transcends
their financial means or when they can no longer provide the care. We will do this by investing in
temporary care facilities that make the situation bearable for informal caregivers.
Supplementary residential care consists of help with cleaning and chores and in the future will be
reserved for those severely in need of care or in combination with family support. An objective scale
will be used for this purpose. In this way, family support can be further refined and supplementary
residential care will be part of integrated care for persons who need it.
Consequently, supplementary residential care and service cheques are complementary but
nevertheless still clearly separate. Funding for help with cleaning aimed at those persons severely in
need of support will be incorporated in the residential care growth path.
People with a disability
This Government of Flanders will strive for inclusion, increased autonomy and self-determination for
people with a disability. We want to optimally guarantee their right to customised support and care.
The new “Vlaamse Decreet Persoonsvolgende Financiering” (PVF, Flemish Parliament Act on Personal
Finance) is an important step forward in achieving these objectives for people with a disability.
This Government of Flanders will also implement the Flemish Parliament Act on Personal Finance.
This Flemish Parliament Act is based on two pillars. The first pillar entitles every person with a
disability that has a certain support need to a limited, fixed support budget. This budget can be used
to pay non-medical care costs. If the support need exceeds the scope of the fixed support budget
a support plan is drafted in the second pillar and is tailored to the needs of the individual with a
disability. This provides access to the second pillar, which offers the person the choice of using cash
or a voucher.
This Government of Flanders recognises the significant needs of people with a disability and
guarantees that the efforts to engage people with the greatest support needs will not only be
continued but also increased.
The VAPH will comprehensively scrutinise its entire organisation and administration with a view
to administrative simplification, transparency and efficiency with regard to the disabled and its
facilities and services. The VAPH will become more customer-friendly, and the complex registration
and application procedure will be reviewed. This can be achieved, for example, by increasing the use
of IT and through data exchange. The reorganisation of the “VAPH” will also take into account the
decision to integrate the (disability-specific) support for the disabled in the concept of Flemish social
protection. With regard to minors this must also follow the principles of integrated youth support.
Mental healthcare
The increasing social needs require a special focus on mental healthcare. In this respect, the
continued implementation and reinforcement of the “Vlaams Actieplan Suïcidepreventie” (Flemish
Action Plan for Suicide Prevention) is a top priority.
We will build on the results of the primary psychological functions experiments and view the
possible accreditation and reimbursement of psychologists and special education generalists as an
opportunity to further employ them in a general, easily accessible, expansion of these functions.
In addition, we will continue to encourage the decommissioning of bed capacity by extending Article
107 with the aim of effective distribution.
We will devote considerable attention to the mental health of children and young people and the
environment of people with mental health problems. We will work, along with other authorities, to
develop care circuits for children and young people that we will align in Flanders and incorporate in
integrated youth support where possible.
The sixth state reform transfers the “Overlegplatforms Geestelijke Gezondheid, Beschut Wonen
en de Psychiatrische Verzorgingstehuizen” (Mental Health, Sheltered Housing and Psychiatric Care
Institutions Consultation Platforms) to Flanders. We will streamline these new powers in accordance
with mental healthcare reform to create care circuits and care networks. These types of care must
also be included in the thinking exercise that we will conduct on the housing and care component.
We will examine whether and how we can integrate the drugs policy in mental healthcare policy
and encourage the further development of facilities that transcend care programmes and cooperation
partnerships in mental healthcare, in which specific care routes are constructed for persons suffering
from an addiction.
For those with a medical, mental, psychological, psychiatric problem or people in poverty, it is also
difficult to take the step towards (paid) work immediately.
For these people, together with the work and social economy policy area, we will gradually
implement the Flemish Parliament Act on Work and Care Programmes within existing budgetary
possibilities.
Quality
We will work on quality care by developing quality indicators. In doing so, we will examine, together
with the federal government and initiators, how we will apply them to the “Penitentiaire Centra
voor geïnterneerden” (Federal Penitentiary Centres for internees). Our ambition must be to provide
optimal access to the results for citizens over time. The “VIP-project” (Flemish Innovation Project) will
evolve into a “Centrum voor Kwaliteitszorg” (Centre for Quality Care) to enhance the sustainability of
existing results related to the quality indicators and further develop them.
Working in the care sector
To guarantee inflows to care professions and absorb increasing outflows we will continue to roll out
the “Actieplan Werk maken van werk in de zorgsector” and update it to respond to new trends in
care needs.
In addition, we will advocate for effective data exchange between care professions and an up-todate, dynamic and complete national register. We will also maintain a quota of doctors.
Innovation with Flanders’ Care as the driving force
We will use Flanders’ Care to accelerate the necessary system innovation in organising care and
we will stimulate the roll out and national and international marketing activities for Flanders’
strengths in health technology, as a spearhead cluster of personalised medicine and care. There will
be a particular focus on assistive technologies, eHealth and mobile health applications. It will be
coordinated by a strong cooperation partnership with the minister responsible for Economy, Science
and Innovation.
Invest in infrastructure
Welfare, Public Health and Family involve a number of crucial challenges (waiting lists for care, the
aging population, etc.) that we will also address in infrastructural terms.
The Government of Flanders will also use the “Vlaams Infrastructuurfonds voor Persoonsgebonden
Aangelegenheden” (VIPA, Flemish Infrastructure Fund for Person-related Matters) as a future policy
instrument. Support will be provided on two levels: support for certain sectors and financial and
construction advice for all sectors.
Our basic principle is and will remain the desire to give people the opportunity - if they can and
want - to remain in their home environment for as long as possible, even if their care needs increase.
This means a greater emphasis on care and support in the home environment and semi-residential
facilities. This Government of Flanders will achieve this by investing in infrastructure for facilities that
are aimed at supporting and caring for people in their own homes.
At the request of the Flemish Parliament there will be an end to infrastructure subsidisation for the
elderly sector. Only cases that submit a technical financial plan before 31/12/2014 will be eligible for a
subsidy from VIPA. Criteria consistent with the policy will be adopted to establish the order of cases.
Future funding related to infrastructural needs in residential care for the elderly will be part of the
funding to be developed for this approach to care for the elderly.
As a result of compulsory consolidation it doesn’t make sense to retain the current system of
alternative funding by VIPA. The necessary initiatives related to this matter will be organised in the
autumn of 2014.
A new alternative system will be designed for the hospital sector, partly due to the impact of the
sixth state reform and will be operational by 1/1/2016. Meanwhile we will examine which hospitals
urgently need new constructions or renovation work carried out. The Government of Flanders will
also use hospital funding as an instrument for achieving its strategic care plan.
This Government of Flanders will also continue to strive for more qualitative childcare in terms of
infrastructure.
We need permanent funding for facilities for people with a disability, adapted to the new regulations,
with a special focus on facilities for minors and for people with disabilities that have serious
(medical) care needs.
Resources will also be provided for other sectors that now fall under traditional funding (including
youth welfare, preventive and outpatient mental healthcare and general social work).
VIPA will continue to develop as a knowledge centre for building, funding and conceptual aspects of
quality (care) infrastructure. It will assume a coordinating and facilitating role.
In this context, VIPA will work on a sustainability meter for the care sector, be responsible for the
coordination of developing multifunctional infrastructure (also those that span several policy areas),
for updating fire safety regulations and increasing awareness of the ease of use of buildings for all
people.
Data sharing and IT
The welfare, public health and family policy area is facing major challenges in terms of
computerisation, data sharing and IT. We will address these challenges with the stakeholders and
work on further developing Internet services and e-government. We will guarantee privacy, quality
and citizens’ consent.
We will also implement the adopted Flemish Parliament Act related to organising the network for
data sharing between the actors involved in care. To make this possible we will conclude cooperation
partnerships with the federal government for eHealth. The Flemish Parliament Act allows care and
support providers to electronically share the (personal) data of a care user with whom they have a
therapeutic or care relationship, with other care and support providers.
The Flemish Parliament Act focuses on the care user’s central role and the involvement of the care
and support providers in data management. If the care user does not agree his or her data cannot be
shared.
As an extension of this we will work on a quality framework for online support.
Family
Family benefits
The power related to family benefits was transferred to Flanders in the context of the sixth state
reform. This gives us the opportunity to simplify the existing system.
We will incorporate this new power in the existing “Agentschap Kind en Gezin” (Child and Family
Agency).
We will maintain the birth and adoption premium and view family benefit as the child’s right,
regardless of the socio-professional status of the parents. We will work on simplifying the existing
system and we will abolish the hierarchy rule and age allowance. Since every child is equal we will
allocate the same basic family benefit. We will maintain an allowance for children with special care
needs and for orphans. To combat child poverty we will introduce a social allowance for children
that grow up in a low-income family. The income limit for this allowance is modulated and therefore
takes the size of the family into account. The Government of Flanders will take over payment of the
Flemish family benefit from the FAMIFED as soon as possible (on 1 January 2016 at the earliest, by 31
December 2019 at the latest). We will provide an adequate transition period to facilitate a smooth
transition in which families will be optimally protected from any negative effects.
Based on the above criteria we will draft a Flemish Parliament Act on Family Benefits. Until the
new Flemish Parliament Act on Family Benefits is implemented, in the interest of continuity the
Government of Flanders will call on family benefit funds to guarantee the system of family benefit
payments and related services.
One of the elements in the new Flemish Parliament Act relates to the way in which family benefit
will be paid. To be able to make a choice in this respect the Government of Flanders will immediately
take the initiative to perform an objective costs and benefits analysis that examines the cost
efficiency of the option to incorporate this task in Flemish administration on the one hand or to
entrust it to one or several third parties on the other, which also examines the formula that allows
those entitled to choose.
Childcare
The objective to gradually provide adequate, quality childcare, which is accessible to everyone, forms
the basis of the “Decreet Houdende de Organisatie van Kinderopvang van Baby’s en Peuters” (Flemish
Parliament Act on the Organisation of Childcare for Babies and Toddlers) that is currently in progress.
We will continue to work on it, evaluate and adapt it if necessary. We will do so using a quantitative
and qualitative process. This involves expanding the number of places, whereby we will maintain a
good balance, also in terms of funding, between the different types (stages) of childcare, the gradual
harmonisation of subsidies to guarantee funding viability for all childcare initiatives, an improved
quality policy and additional educational and business support. We will also strive to encourage
flexible childcare and continue to take initiatives in the so-called first stage (with a free rate). We
will assess the extent to which the Flemish Parliament Act produces any unintentional obstacles to
flexible, quality childcare.
We will give top priority to children of parents that work and participate in job-oriented training
programmes and ensure accessibility for children from vulnerable families.
The further expansion of childcare places and the broad introduction of the childcare facility
finder along with the local childcare counters should make it simpler and faster for parents to find
childcare.
With regard to a fully-fledged status for affiliated registered childminders we will wait for the results
of the pilot project before taking further steps.
Together with the ministers for education, culture, youth, leisure and sport we will work on renewed
legislation for childcare outside school hours, which fully focuses on a model that integrates supply
in welfare, leisure, youth and sport. In this respect, we will integrate resources from the “Fonds voor
Collectieve Uitrustingen en Diensten” (Fund for Collective Equipment and Services). Local authorities
will be allocated an important orchestrating role.
Foster care
We will continue to develop foster care as the first form of support that should be considered for
children and young people in the event of them being placed in care. To this end, we will take
initiatives to improve the process for finding, selection and matching foster families. It is vital that
all stakeholders (the child being placed in care, the adults with minor or severe disabilities or a
psychiatric background (foster guests), the foster families and the original families) have the right to
have their say and receive customised support. In the process to further develop foster care, we will
consult with the federal government to establish a fully-fledged status for foster parents.
Preventive family support
The “Decreet houdende de Organisatie van Preventieve Gezinsondersteuning” (Flemish Parliament
Act on the Organisation of Preventive Family Support) of 29 January 2014, supports the development
of the “Huizen van het Kind”. To allow them to evolve into fully-fledged basic facilities numerous
partners are brought together locally so that every (expectant) parent and child can approach the
“Huizen van het Kind” in their immediate environment with any question or for any support they
need. We will establish “Huizen van het Kind” for all (expectant) families with children and young
people, based on sound, local cooperation. We will also work on connecting the “Huizen van het
Kind” to childcare and youth support services in Flanders. We will break the taboo around relational
conflicts, ensure adequate facilities for relational support and strive to raise awareness. We will
increase efforts to put the family mediation service on the map and evolve towards a demand-driven
supply in association with judicial actors.
Adoption
A Flemish Parliament Act on international adoption was drafted during the previous legislative
session. International developments and the decrease in the number of adoptable children in
particular force us to monitor and potentially adapt policy related to international adoption.
The domestic adoption regulations urgently need to be updated. We will ask the “Vlaams Centrum
voor adoptie” (Flemish Centre for Adoption), in consultation with the stakeholders, to list the
bottlenecks and formulate policy recommendations, which we will use to draft new regulations.
Attention for specific target groups
Youth support
The increasing number of children and young people that are growing up in a problematic life
situation represents an additional challenge for youth support in Flanders. Youth support has
undergone a major transition in recent years. The Flemish Parliament Act on integrated youth
support in particular represents a major first step towards the need to rethink youth support. Over
the next few years we must further build on this with a clear plan of action. We will explicitly
place children and young people and their family context central in improved, simplified, integrated
and innovative youth support services. We will implement the youth support action plan and give
priority to direct accessible support, crisis youth support and residential support for adolescent girls.
We will be able to offer support more quickly in acute and problematic life situations through
intersectoral cooperation and simplified youth support. We will provide timely youth support that
is as empowerment-targeted and directly accessible to the citizen as possible and which will be
organised in an unambiguous manner. This improved youth support will monitor, assess and correct
the implementation of the “Decreet Integrale Jeugdhulp” (Integrated Flemish Parliament Act on Youth
Support) where necessary.
We will improve cooperation with education in particular to achieve accessible monitoring and
support for children and young people and to identify flexible solutions if there is a risk of school
leaving. In this context, we will work with the minister of education - and also with CLBs as part of
integrated youth support and preventive healthcare.
Social work
General social work is a key player in primary support. The sector underwent a large-scale merger
in the previous legislative session. In consultation with the sector we will continue to work on
positioning the centres for general social work as major gateways and boost further intersectoral
cooperation. We will prioritise qualitative, easily accessible youth reception and facilities for adults
with psychiatric problems and persons with relationship difficulties. In addition, we will establish
maximum cooperation with the institutes for community development and expand cooperation
with associations in which the voice of the poor is heard and with OCMWs.
In the first instance we will continue primary legal support and we will examine whether, and if so,
how we can implement a reorganisation.
Criminal justice and support
We will develop new youth (sanction) laws in Flanders. In this respect, we will establish continuity
in a differentiated supply of clear and constructive responses to criminal offences with a focus
on repairing the damage, a clear social response and support for the young person in his or her
development within a broad, integrated approach to youth delinquency and its causes. When
imposing measures, we will take into account the seriousness of the offences and the maturity of
the minor and respect the principle of proportionality. We will link the response to criminal offences
committed by minors with youth support in a clear, distinct process. The state reform represents
the ideal lever for refocusing the reaction to events described as offences in a way that is consistent
with youth support.
We will provide complementary processes, since every minor is entitled to youth support, even young
offenders, and also when they need secure care facilities. In this respect, we will focus specifically
on young people that display highly complex multiple issues and work with specialist mental
healthcare. The lower limit of 12 years of age for a measure related to youth (sanction) laws will
be maintained as well as the referral to the adult court as of 16 years of age. We will integrate the
federal youth institutions in community institution operations. Secure care can only be imposed if
this is necessary for the safety of society or the minor concerned. The level of legal protection for
the minor will correspond to the extent to which the minor is deprived of his or her liberty. We will
organise structural consultation with the youth magistracy on monitoring policy, procedures and
decision-making policy, etc.
We will continue efforts to develop community institutions and integrate the federal detention
centres. The differentiation paper will outline the role of community institutions in youth support if
the youth judge deems secure care necessary for the young person involved. We will work to align
services to the needs of young people by developing an effective diagnostic, indication and further
modulation. We will continue to invest in the cooperation between community institutions and child
and youth psychiatry.
With the sixth state reform the powers of the “Justitiehuizen” (Houses of Justice) are transferred to
the communities. The work of the judicial assistants has many overlaps with support and services for
offenders and the victims of crime and primary support. We will clarify the core tasks and the role
of the “Justitiehuizen” with regard to citizens, organisations and legal actors. The implementation of
these tasks requires close cooperation between the communities and the federal government, whose
principles and characteristics have been established in multiple cooperation partnerships.
We will work within a structured and streamlined framework on close consultation between the
Government of Flanders, all legal actors including the Bench and the Public Prosecution and health
and welfare actors, at the local and regional level to align judicial policy and actions for health and
welfare.
As a follow-up to the new regulation for the protected status for incapacitated persons we will work
on structural consultation and cooperation in the field with justices of the peace.
We will implement the “Decreet Hulp-en Dienstverlening aan Gedetineerden” (Flemish Parliament
Act related to Support and Services for detainees) and will continue to roll out the strategic plan
in all prisons in Flanders and Brussels, in which we will aim for improved alignment with detainees’
needs. In this respect, we will focus on the specific needs of detainees. In accordance with the
Flemish Parliament Act, within a year of this Government of Flanders’ taking office we will compile a
new strategic plan in which the policy areas involved explain how they will implement the Flemish
Parliament Act. We will continue efforts related to care circuits for internees in close consultation
with the federal government.
Road traffic victims
We will devote constant attention to care and support for road traffic victims.
Diversity
We will strive for full participation of all groups in society in care and welfare services. We will
focus on people of migrant origin and homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals. We will combat gender
stereotypes in the care and welfare sector. We will work on an integrated policy with all the policy
areas concerned and the competent authorities.
Abuse and violence
We will actively continue the struggle against abuse and violence and the rolled out actions, in
which we will expand the scope of the 1712 helpline and work on implementing the resolution
related to recognition for victims of historic violence and abuse in youth and educational
institutions in Flanders and coping with violence in general, recommendations from the expert panel
for historic abuse and the “Project Misbruik in Gezagsrelaties” (Abuse in Authority Relationships
Project).
Poverty Reduction in WVG policy
The Welfare, Public Health and Family policy area will develop horizontal poverty policy. Ease of
use of the service is a key concept. People in poverty must be able to navigate to and through the
facilities provided to support them, easily and without fear of stigmatisation.
We will strive for the quantitative and qualitative expansion of childcare. This is especially important
for (single parent) families suffering from poverty. The availability of affordable childcare is a crucial
springboard for these families to break the vicious circle of poverty. We will also encourage the
development of the “Huizen van het Kind”.
Poverty and budgetary issues are inextricably linked. Therefore, this Government of Flanders will
enhance the sustainability of the cooperation partnerships involved in debt mediation and budget
management. The objective will be to make people self-reliant once more. We will provide a social
allowance in the family benefit for children in low-income families. Moreover, we will work to
achieve the automatic allocation of rights.
XVI. POVERTY POLICY
The Government of Flanders will combat mechanisms that cause poverty and will encourage people’s
self-reliance. Poverty, being a multidimensional issue, requires a more coordinated and aligned
approach in multiple policy areas (horizontal poverty reduction) and specific, vertical policy in each
policy area. This Government of Flanders will continue to assume its responsibility using structural
initiatives related to poverty prevention and poverty reduction. These structural solutions will
prevail over a project-based approach.
With the Pact 2020 as the foundation, specific objectives will be formulated for each of the social
basic rights (participation, social services, income, family, education, leisure time, work, housing and
health). During this legislative session, each member of the Government of Flanders will work to
achieve these objectives in the context of his or her policy areas.
Flemish poverty reduction policy will be universal where possible, categorical where necessary and
will place a special emphasis on child poverty, the intergenerational transmission of poverty and the
involvement of people in poverty. Support for people in poverty must be as customised as possible.
We will tackle underprotection, focus on possible Matthew Effects, adopt the poverty test and strive
for a more automatic allocation of rights. We will close the digital gap and eradicate poor literacy
and obstacles to participation for people in poverty.
The new Flemish powers that will be integrated in Flemish policy following the sixth state reform,
and that could act as a lever in the context of poverty policy, will be identified and optimally used
in this context.
This Government of Flanders will evaluate and modernise existing regulations for poverty
reduction. The policy will focus on the optimal ease of use of services (proactive) and especially
in the agreements Flanders concludes with its partners. We will strive to get people in poverty to
participate using poverty consultation and recognise the role of associations in which the voice of
the poor is heard as well as the role of trained experts. We will recognise the role of local authorities
as the orchestrators of local poverty policy.
There will also be a necessary focus on knowledge development, especially regarding the living
environment of children in poverty, being on the inside of poverty, the stratification of poverty and
the different faces of poverty. We will work on strictly monitoring poverty and the risk of becoming
disadvantaged and reducing both these situations.
All policy levels are responsible for poverty reduction: from the European to the local level. The
Government of Flanders will stimulate constructive cooperation between different policy levels to
achieve specific results in the field.
XVII. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Guaranteeing equal opportunities and combating discrimination are the order of the day, each
and every day and for every single one of us. The Government of Flanders will act as a role model
as an employer and in implementing this policy. The Government of Flanders will develop a
sound, coordinated and differentiated equal opportunities policy. Each group (women and men,
homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender persons, people with a disability and people with a
migrant background, etc.) deserve specific attention. At the same time we will improve the coherence
between horizontal equal opportunities policy, integration policy and the internal diversity policy of
the Government of Flanders. People in poverty that miss out on access to equal opportunities also
represent a point of concern for Flemish equal opportunities policy.
The decision of whether or not to extend the cooperation partnership of 12 June 2013 related to the
“Interfederaal Centrum voor Gelijke Kansen en Bestrijding van Discriminatie en Racisme” (Interfederal
Centre for Equal Opportunities and the Fight against Discrimination and Racism) will be preceded by
an assessment, over which the Flemish Parliament will deliver its ruling. In the meantime, complaints
based on gender will be handled by the Flemish Ombudsman.
The horizontal equal opportunities policy highlights the following three points. First, in addition to
implementing the Flemish Parliament Act that promotes a more balanced participation of women
and men in the advisory and administrative bodies of the Government of Flanders, the latter will
also strive for equal participation of women and men and for increased diversity in decision-making
processes, advisory and representative roles. Secondly, the Government of Flanders will strive for a
non-violent society. This means, for example, that in consultation with other policy levels we will
implement a policy focused on preventing and combating all forms of violence and on suitable
aftercare for victims of violence, including interfamily violence, genital mutilation, sexual violence,
child abuse and abuse of the elderly, honour-based violence, homophobic and transphobic violence,
stalking and trafficking in persons. Lastly, the Government of Flanders will also aim to establish a
Flemish action plan to tackle the career and wage gap between women and men and to increase
awareness and provide route counselling for new female entrepreneurs. A policy will also be
developed to support and equally distribute family, care, household, paid labour and leisure time.
Specific attention will be devoted to vulnerable groups such as single parents, persons re-entering the
labour market, women in poverty and women with a migrant background.
The strategic and operational objectives of the horizontal equal opportunities policy to be
implemented will be included in the policy memoranda and policy papers.
The Government of Flanders will strive to break down the stereotypical public perception of gender,
sexual identity, disability, age and origin and role distribution using information campaigns and
campaigns to increase awareness.
We will work to create an integrated accessible society. Accessible buildings, transport, information,
communication, facilities and services are essential prerequisites in this respect. The Government of
Flanders will act as a role model in terms of accessible buildings, information and communication.
The Government of Flanders will ask SERV to ensure, in consultation with organisations for people
with a disability, that in accordance with the opinion issued by SERV, their policy participation is
possible in the “SERV’s Commissie Diversiteit” (Diversity Commission) and in accordance with the UN
Treaty.
The Government of Flanders will safeguard compliance with the 29 Yogyakarta principles. Improved
alignment between the different relevant policy areas will ensure policy that responds to the
specific needs of homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons. This will be achieved
in association with other authorities, local authorities, the social partners, the media, educational
coordinating bodies and civil society.
The Government of Flanders will devote explicit attention to “age” in Flemish equal opportunities
policy. We will take measures to combat any form of discrimination based on age and will eradicate
structural obstacles.
To supplement the integration policy the Government of Flanders will safeguard equal opportunities
for persons with a migrant background in all areas of social life.
XVIII. CIVIC ORIENTATION - INTEGRATION
Flemish society has radically transformed in recent decades as a result of migration and
internationalisation. Increasing diversity in our society is a reality that we approach with a positive
attitude. This means that we invite everyone to shape a Flemish society, a shared future, with his or
her individuality as equal citizens and based on equal rights and equal obligations. This also means
that we will focus on what connects us and that we will combat all forms of discrimination based
on origin.
The objective of civic integration and orientation policy is to create more solidarity between all who
have a joint future in Flanders, based on a shared set of values, fundamental rights and liberties.
Working on civic integration and orientation is therefore also a shared responsibility, for individual
citizens, for society as a whole and its facilities.
We will reform the civic integration and orientation sector as quickly as possible. By bundling the
operations of a large number of NPOs in the “Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering” we will achieve
efficiency gains that we will reinvest in civic integration and orientation. The Agency’s operations
will focus on the specific situation in Brussels. The Agency will work together with regular actors to
achieve the objectives of horizontal integration policy. Persons with a migrant background that are
not actively employed and an integrated approach for newcomer minors deserve special attention.
The “Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering” and the cities of Antwerp and Ghent will organise
customer-friendliness measurements to optimise their services. In the course of 2018, we will evaluate
the sector’s reform. The Government of Flanders will guarantee the operations of the recognised
participation organisation that acts as a forum for organisations for people with a migrant
background, with adequate local distribution as determined in a Flemish Parliament Act.
The integration policy will be further aligned to the needs of local authorities because integration
and citizenship exists at the level of the neighbourhood, municipality or city. Therefore, we will make
substantial efforts in terms of participation (including in the labour market, district and associations,
education and cultural facilities) and in the acquisition of Dutch language skills.
Knowledge of Dutch is essential for full participation in social and economic life. We will better
align options for learning Dutch as a second language to needs, in terms of quality and quantity, for
persons integrating for whom it is compulsory as well as for people who voluntarily choose to learn
Dutch. We will do so certainly in light of the increased level of NT2 in civic orientation. We need
more combined learning routes and courses during holidays and at weekends and during evenings,
depending on the needs and skills of the NT2 course participant, and with adequate geographical
distribution to allow persons integrating to participate as quickly as possible in social and economic
activities. To achieve this the resources for organising the supply of NT2 courses will be managed by
the minister responsible for civic integration. We will develop supply with private providers to fill
any gaps.
People also learn a language by participating in society. We will stimulate “active” learning for Dutch:
in the workplace, during vocational training courses and when participating in associations because
learning and using Dutch should not end after the integration process. This requires efforts from all
involved.
We will tackle the lack of Dutch language skills at an early stage. We will strive for measures that
contribute to this, including the encouragement of parent participation and language development
before the age of three. We will aim for maximum participation in nursery education. We will do
our utmost to get children into school from the age of three. We will call on the assistance of
organisations such as “Huizen van het Kind” to achieve this goal.
All facilities and services, to which the Flemish Parliament Act on Quality applies, will be organised
so that the customer or patient can count on the service being guaranteed in Dutch. The
enforcement policy strictly monitors respect for these essential quality requirements.
The “Huizen van het Kind” will be allocated the competence to certify the Dutch language skills of
other language speakers and will be incorporated in the “Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering”.
Learning and using Dutch as well as the socio-economic and socio-cultural participation in
education, youth, sport, the welfare and care sectors are the two spearheads of the Flemish
horizontal integration policy plan. This requires improved ease of use of the supply and inflow of
young people of foreign origin into work or a training course in these sectors. We will integrate the
strategic and operational objectives of the horizontal integration policy into the policy memoranda.
The sector will call on the services of the “Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering” as much as
possible for expert input and guidance in the field. We will conclude an integration pact with local
authorities, the social partners, the media, education partners and associations of people with a
migrant background in which each partner assumes responsibility for combating direct and indirect
discrimination and racism and promoting respect for people with a different religious belief or sexual
orientation. The pact also demands commitments from educational institutions, social organisations,
the media, local authorities and employers to provide unpaid traineeships and (volunteer) jobs for
persons integrating.
We will set up a unit with experts from diverse policy areas to prevent, detect and correct
radicalisation with a single central point of contact and in association with other authorities.
We will urge representatives of the Muslim community to provide quality training for imams in
Flanders, in which knowledge of Dutch and of the social context is an essential component.
We will continue to encourage inter-philosophical dialogue.
For persons integrating, to whom compulsory participation in civic integration applies, we will
replace the existing effort directive by a result directive, as included in the new Flemish Parliament
Act, as soon as the “Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering” is operational.
The range of civic integration services will be tailored to the person integrating, both in terms of
practical organisation as well as content. New technologies must make it possible to combine work
and civic integration. In the context of an active economic migration policy we will develop a range
of civic integration services for labour migrants together with the social partners. Attention will be
devoted to inclusion where necessary throughout the integration process in which it is possible to
make room for eradicating the digital gap especially among weaker target groups (the illiterate, those
with poor literacy, the elderly, etc.).
The Government of Flanders will establish a legal framework in consultation with the social partners
to facilitate work and language work placements for persons integrating.
The Government of Flanders is committed at the EU level to introducing a compulsory integration
process for EU nationals that want to settle in Flanders.
We want to conclude a cooperation partnership that also applies compulsory civic integration in
the Brussels-Capital Region. As soon as this has been done, as a Flemish Community we will also
invest more in civic orientation in Brussels. In anticipation of the introduction of compulsory civic
integration in the French Community, we will expand compulsory civic integration to newcomers
that settle in Brussels or Wallonia and move to Flanders within five years of doing so.
XIX. CULTURE, YOUTH AND MEDIA
CULTURE
Flanders is a leading cultural region with a rich heritage, well-established socio-cultural operations,
an extensive amateur artists’ network and original contemporary art and creative industry that
represent the driving force for innovation and community building. The cultural sector in Flanders is
thriving, offers high quality and undeniably contributes to our international reputation.
Flanders nurtures its culture as a quality label and is highly regarded all over the world for its art
and its artists.
We will implement a vigorous and focused international cultural policy in accordance with cultural
diplomacy, the Flanders’ brand policy and tourism via “Flanders, State of the Art”. The international
cultural policy is based on the strength and international reputation of our artists and our artistic
production and is positioned in and uses opportunities provided by the newly developed European
cultural policy.
We will elaborate the new “Kunstendecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on the Arts) that aims to
combat fragmentation and overproduction. The strategic vision statement will define clear priorities
and choices. The policy will focus on initiatives with an impact, scope and profile at the Flemish and
international level. We will concentrate on relevant presentation sites, organisations and publications
that confront the public with what is happening in the arts outside Flanders and with established
and new Flemish talent. We will also focus on young people and up and coming artists that practice
their creative talent in the position between amateurs and professionals so that their career can take
the leap. We will strive for a professional and qualitative arts sector that appeals to and reflects the
social and cultural diversity in society.
Resources must be optimally used in the field, which means that we will make supporting structures
(coordinating organisations, federations and support centres) efficient and effective with a greater
focus on the mission, added value, the desired effect on the ground and the ultimate added value
that is achieved. In addition the target groups will be involved more closely and valued to a greater
degree.
Dialogue that began in the “Cultuurforum 2020” (Culture Forum 2020) will continue between the
cultural subsectors.
Entrepreneurship in the cultural sector presupposes that institutions focus on professional,
substantive and social developments, with their own vision and strategy. Progress must be made on
cooperation between the cultural sector and the market. The Cultural Creative Sectors (CCS) provide
major economic added value and therefore are justifiably promoted. We will devote attention to the
independent book trade and local cinemas, which offer considerable added value in an economic
market in terms of distribution and cultural diversity. We will avoid competitive distortion for sectors
with a market value and commercial impact. Successful investments will be recovered without this
having a deterrent effect. Entrepreneurship in the non-profit sector also deserves support. Naturally
this must not lead to a “commercialisation” of the cultural sector or diminished supply. We will make
entrepreneurial support for blossoming artists and cultural institutions and organisations more
transparent and efficient. We will initiate cooperation between all cultural actors and “Agentschap
Ondernemen”.
Major art institutions, which act as Flanders’ leading ambassadors, will be given more room for
manoeuvre. They excel and are pioneers in terms of quality and management and offer development
opportunities for Flemish talent. They must also cooperate in a broader environment. The current
list of Flemish art institutions will be updated in accordance with the Flemish Parliament Act on the
Arts.
Culture in Flanders not only involves professional artists but also a great many amateur artists. More
bridges must be built between amateur arts and other sectors such as youth and education, with a
particular focus on part-time art education and professional arts.
All population groups in our diverse society have the right to cultural development. We will
accompany the integrated and inclusive participation policy that we will implement via the sectoral
Flemish Parliament Acts with stimulating measures (including attention for disadvantaged groups,
ease of use, etc.).
Public initiatives must make all the necessary efforts to reach the public and this must be
demonstrable. We will naturally take account of their individuality, mission and scale. We will work
on an integrated diversity policy and reinforce cultural competences. The concept papers related
to cultural education will be further developed and fine-tuned. Thus we will invest in the cultural
enlightenment of adults as well as children and young people through family-related initiatives and
education and media with a leading role for public broadcasting.
We will make the UiTpas available throughout Flanders so that we can integrate all the discounts,
advantages, customer and “opportunity” passes into a single automated system. People in poverty
can thus participate without fear of stigmatisation.
Higher education must use its resources for culture and art-related study in a more practical-oriented
manner and in closer cooperation and coordination with the sector. Returns for policy and the
sector must be more visible.
We will fully implement the Cultural cooperation partnership with the French Community.
Flanders will maintain a strong cultural presence with important Flemish cultural houses in its
capital city of Brussels. Innovative developments of and by these houses and by all the other
initiatives supported in Brussels must reinforce this.
The importance of socio-cultural work in Flanders and Brussels must not be underestimated.
Associations, movements and training institutions bring people together and actively and creatively
work on community building and self-development. Volunteers play a vital role in this area.
The sector is facing significant challenges. Socio-cultural work must confirm its pioneering role
as a bridge builder in society. We will take into account the changed and highly diverse forms in
which Flemish people socially engage today and their actual demands for informal education and
training. We will offer rural actors adequate flexibility to respond to this, to confirm the importance
of efficient use of public funds and clarify the functions related to training, education and learning
networks. We will reinforce the socio-cultural sector so that it can continue to provide opportunities
for people to meet, relax, for community building, self-development, social innovation and creative
thinking.
Our heritage, a testimony to our past, forms the basis for our common identity. We will encourage
local authorities to cooperate in integrated heritage care. Cooperation with structurally supported
heritage institutions will guarantee optimal qualitative and participative improved access. There is
also a need for a succession regulation for collectors and a guarantee regulation for long-term loans
of collections. The cataloguing policy and entrepreneurship in the heritage sector must be stimulated.
Religious heritage is under pressure. Following the land use reclassification of church buildings we
must devote particular attention to movable heritage (paintings, sculptures, religious furniture,
everyday objects and textiles). Therefore, the “Centrum voor Religieuze Kunst en Cultuur” (CRKC,
Centre for Religious Art and Culture) must be allocated an open storage function. The depot must be
used to make inventories of and store the valuable movable heritage in good conditions. This will
give it a new lease of life.
Digitising our heritage is a priority. We want to advance the e-culture policy with the cooperation of
other policy areas. We will put the Flemish e-book platform into operation to make a diverse range
of e-books available. We will structurally support the “Vlaams Instituut voor Archivering” (VIAA,
Flemish Institute for Archiving) in its digitisation project for audiovisual heritage. In exchange for
an investment in public funds, the VIAA will ensure that access to the managed material will be
extensively and educationally improved.
We will continue to invest in our own cultural heritage. The comprehensive renovation of the
“Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen” (KMSKA, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp) will be
completed. We will invest in renewing Gaasbeek Castle, de Singel, the M HKA and the urban opera
houses in Antwerp and Ghent.
In the context of reinforcing broader cultural cooperation with the Netherlands we will take
advantage of the fact that we will jointly host the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2016 with the Netherlands
to also reinforce our cultural partnership with the Netherlands at the policy level. The joint FlemishDutch Huis deBuren must be deployed more to introduce and initiate international visitors in the
language and the broad Flemish-Dutch cultural landscape (such as via digital channels). Cooperation
with Flemish cultural houses and especially with the physical neighbour Muntpunt are obvious
actions.
The integrated literature policy will be further developed by the “Vlaams Fonds voor de Letteren”
(Flemish Literature Fund) with an additional focus on sustainable initiatives. We will strive for a
broadly supported and sustainable policy for language and reading promotion with an action plan
that incorporates culture, education, innovation, welfare and the economy. This will also involve
technical reading skills and reading pleasure and a broad image campaign around books and reading.
We will introduce a regulated book price so that when purchasing new books in the first six months
a maximum ceiling discount will apply to afford the sector some breathing space to continue
investing in a rich and diverse range of books.
We will further shape an integrated film policy. The “Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds” (VAF, Flemish
Audiovisual Fund) will develop a screening policy in association with local cinemas and cultural
centres to ensure that our Flemish films benefit from wider distribution. We will stimulate an
enterprise-oriented approach in the audiovisual sector with a focus on recovery effects. Screen
Flanders will act as an investment vehicle in the VAF.
We will strive for a complementary cultural policy, based on the subsidiarity principle, by making
clear agreements with local authorities and the “Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie in Brussel”
(Flemish Community Commission in Brussels). We will encourage quality and cost efficient crossmunicipal cultural initiatives to provide a quality range of cultural experiences.
Protection for volunteers is currently too fragmented resulting in diverse inequalities. The increasing
bureaucracy is hampering volunteer work. Therefore, we will develop a coordinated Flemish
volunteer policy. We will address the fragmentation of expertise and information channels.
YOUTH
More than two million Flemish people are younger than thirty years of age. Children and young
people have their own viewpoints and visions that must be heard in the public debate and policy.
This takes place for example in the “Vlaamse Jeugdraad” (Flemish Youth Council). All authorities must
actively involve children and young people in their policy, inform them and incorporate guarantees
so that children and young people know their rights are safeguarded and their voice has been heard.
We will encourage children and young people to have their say in local youth policy.
We will monitor the consequences of the amended “Lokale Jeugddecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on
Local Youth Policy) of 6 July 2012 related to support and participation in youth work, local services,
infrastructure policy and local youth policy for children and young people in vulnerable social
situations. Urban youth work deserves a special approach and attention. Youth policy takes account
of disadvantaged groups and increasing super-diversity. We will encourage a bottom-up approach in
this regard.
We will implement a specific and positive policy, in consultation with the youth sector, for camps
and parties. We will encourage and support a broad definition of youth work. We will examine
the possibility of drafting a charter for party and camp-friendly municipalities and opt for the
development and accreditation of a child-friendly label for cities and municipalities. The Government
of Flanders is committed to addressing overregulation as pointed out by the youth sector.
We will draft a master plan for camping sites so that there is enough supply and to enhance the
infrastructure’s sustainability. In this context, we will increase support and the value of camping
sites, our own youth hostel centres and lending services for camping equipment.
Children and young people need physical space. There must be enough accessible and appealing
public space for everyone that also transcends generation gaps, places that invite children and
young people to play, move and meet. We must ensure that children and young people can play in
a green environment in rural areas and in the city. We must maximise the accessibility of forests,
parks and squares. The Government of Flanders will encourage joint use of school, sports and play
infrastructure by sports and youth associations; we will strive for a positive attitude towards young
people that presupposes their strengths and creativity.
We will continue to fully opt for a categorical youth and child rights policy. Almost all policy areas
have an impact on children and young people.
We will use youth policy to work, for example, on child poverty reduction and youth unemployment;
we will strive for affordable and quality housing and ensure safe and autonomous mobility.
Lastly, we want to allow children and young people’s talent to flourish and be applied in various
forms of youth culture. Cultural education also deserves adequate attention in youth policy.
MEDIA
The Flemish media world finds itself in an environment that is undergoing a radical transformation
determined by rapid technological changes, a European digital agenda, economic internationalisation,
major infrastructure challenges, integration and concentration movements, great creativity, changing
business models, etc.
Flemish media policy must benefit the various players in the audiovisual sector as well as the media
user. Therefore, we will implement policy that:
•
•
Guarantees a pluralistic and balanced media landscape;
•
Prioritises guaranteed and affordable access to a varied and high quality supply of diverse media
•
•
Stimulates and integrates technological innovations and new media applications;
Combats the negative impact of media concentrations and vertical integration and cross-media
actions in the market;
for all Flemish people;
Combats the reduction and decline in content but in contrast promotes the creation of
diversified and quality content that is consistent with Flanders’ contemporary and historic
uniqueness.
A comprehensive development of the digital distribution infrastructure is necessary to facilitate a
future-oriented and creative development of the media sector. We will create an environment in
which this evolution is possible.
Due to the rapidly changing content we will optimally strive for protocol with players in the media
sector to achieve this. Where necessary we will amend the Flemish Parliament Act framework for
achieving the proposed policy objectives.
In addition, we will aim for a protocol with the Flemish media sector to respect the principle of
platform neutrality.
Before concluding a new management agreement with the VRT we will evaluate its public mission
in a changing media landscape. We will perform a benchmarking exercise with public broadcasters
in other European countries. In this respect, we will focus on, for example, the cultural mission,
pluralism, quality of information provision in the overall programming, target group reach (such
as young people and “nieuwe Vlamingen” (diverse ethnic-cultural minorities in Flanders), the
mission related to technological innovation and concern for an open, respectful and tolerant
Flanders. In a globalising and competitive media landscape the public broadcaster’s mission must
be meticulously and judiciously defined. The public broadcaster must exercise restraint with regard
to the advertising market. A total lack of commercial advertising is unrealistic but the ceilings will
remain in place. Where necessary we will work on eradicating any ambiguities or grey areas, such as
those related to sponsoring. Cooperation with other Flemish media companies (including regional
television broadcasters and smaller media players) must be defined more clearly, so that they can
also be evaluated. We will also ensure that the public broadcaster continues to play its specific and
diversity-promoting role in the music landscape. In this context, we will also establish requirements
related to a guaranteed supply, and also on channels and during broadcasting hours with a wide
reach, of Flemish and Dutch-language productions and music, of different genres. The third network
will be exclusively used to separate Ketnet and Canvas.
Respect for pluralism and neutrality is a matter of course in all the public broadcaster’s programmes.
In this respect, far-reaching internal and external quality control and reporting is also necessary.
We will ask the VRT to continue the efficiency improvement process that must result, as in the wider
Government of Flanders, in a further reduction of staff numbers and the associated budgetary costs,
including by responding to opportunities related to a significant number of employees that will leave
the organisation in the next few years anyway due to natural outflows.
The new radio frequency plan of 2016 must ensure a diverse and economically viable radio landscape
so that people can optimally receive and listen to all accredited radio broadcasters within their
transmission range. Local radio stations are binding. We will also evaluate the requirements and
compensation for licensing and transmission licenses, including their efficiency and controllability. We
will take a decisive stance to interruptions of Flemish radio broadcasters by (pirate) radio stations
at home and abroad. We will examine the extent to which the existing radio landscape can be
optimised in terms of frequency use. Private radio broadcasters that make additional efforts with
regard to the Flemish music industry will receive an incentive from the Government of Flanders.
We will strive for the digitisation of the radio sector and thus opt for the most future-oriented
technology that is widely distributed in the European Union.
We will monitor the impact of the new Flemish Parliament Act framework for regional television
broadcasters in terms of economic viability. We will ensure that these broadcasters are able to
participate on all digital platforms and possess the adequate technical bandwidth.
Media intelligence and digital literacy are essential. We will eradicate the digital gap. Vulnerable target
groups must also have sufficient media access and be media literate. We will ensure a correct and
contemporary interpretation of the universal services so that everyone can participate in society,
irrespective of their income and place of residence. Media users must above all acquire the necessary
skills to use new (social) media. The “Kenniscentrum Mediawijsheid” (Knowledge Centre for Media
Intelligence) must be given the scope to implement a coordinated policy in association with the
partners involved in other policy areas such as education, welfare and culture.
We will examine how media subsidies and support for paper newspapers can be organised in a more
media-neutral and future-oriented manner, to benefit qualitative journalism.
We will support production and export in the Flemish audiovisual sector. Investing in home-grown
qualitative productions offers the best guarantee against oppression, diminishing content and loss
of cultural identity as a result of a mass import of international “mainstream” content via new
international distribution channels and platforms. We will improve efforts to promote the Flemish
audiovisual sector abroad: Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) in association with Medianet
Vlaanderen must support the Flemish media industry (facility companies, technical suppliers,
audiovisual product developers and so on) in its international development.
Innovation is a lever for a qualitative sound and locally anchored media landscape. This is why the
operations of the “Media Innovatie Centrum” (MiX, Media Innovation Centre) must be adapted. The
resources invested must find their way to small innovative start-up enterprises.
In implementing the sixth state reform we will reinforce cooperation between telecom and media
regulators with respect for their individual competences. We will safeguard the Flemish power
related to broadcasting services, broadcasting activities and audiovisual content. In future frequency
auctions the distribution of revenues must be distributed between the diverse competent authorities
in proportion to the use of the frequencies concerned for broadcasting services or digital data
communication respectively.
If over-the-top players (such as YouTube) take over the role of broadcaster because they reach
more viewers than standard television broadcasters, the government must develop an adapted
model for the social return-on-investment. We will ensure that authors and performers are properly
compensated for their performance in the media, by safeguarding the rights to which they are legally
entitled and by combating piracy.
We will give the VAF (including the “Mediafonds” (Media Fund), the “Gamefonds” (Game Fund)) and
“Screen Flanders” every opportunity to develop their operations. The MediAcademie must be given
every opportunity to offer customised training courses for all media sectors. The “Fonds Pascal
Decroos” (Pascal Decroos Fund) must be given enough of an impetus so that broader editorial
projects can apply for a scholarship.
Efforts related to subtitling and audio description will be further developed using specific subsidies
so that as many programmes broadcast by Flemish and regional television channels as possible are
accessible to the deaf, hard of hearing and the blind.
The non-fiction charter and curbing measures by the “VRM” (Flemish Regulator for the Media) are
inadequate. We will strive to find a solution together with the broadcasters to respond to all ethical
questions and complaints.
XX. SPORT
Sport plays an important social role and contributes to fitness and health, general well-being
and social cohesion. Sport promotes the inclusion of disadvantaged groups in our society. The
Government of Flanders also wants everyone to be able to exercise in his or her local environment in
a quality, healthy and affordable manner, throughout his or her life.
Sport must be a permanent habit in the life of every Flemish person; we want to develop a healthy
sports mentality in Flanders. With schools, clubs, municipal sports services, companies and sports
federations, etc. we will build a sports-friendly environment in which everyone is encouraged to
exercise and participate in sports activities.
The Government of Flanders will focus on sports infrastructure and will promote cooperation in
this area. Adequate and sustainable sports infrastructure is crucial for quality sports activities. We
will compile a global strategic sports infrastructure plan and support it with a sports infrastructure
fund. The main focus will be on supralocal projects and high level sport (training) infrastructure. We
will stimulate various forms of cooperation and co-financing for the construction and operation of
sports infrastructure. The Government of Flanders will prioritise attention for the swimming pool
issue. In terms of high level sports infrastructure the Government of Flanders will develop the GhentAntwerp-Leuven triangle.
The entire sports infrastructure policy will be supported with a well-founded vision on spatial
planning and sustainable construction. The “Blosocentra” (Bloso centres) will be evaluated in relation
to the needs and requirements of supralocal use. The Government of Flanders will work on the “Open
School” concept so that school sports infrastructure can be used more efficiently outside school
hours. We will also consult with companies about how their sports infrastructure could be better
used.
Based on the assessments of the Flemish Parliament Act on Sports Federations and a comprehensive
output analysis of the invested resources in sports federations, the Government of Flanders will
design a new Flemish Parliament Act on Sports Federations. Taking into account an ever rapidly
evolving sports landscape, this Flemish Parliament Act must encourage sports federations to organise
themselves more efficiently and to operate in a more targeted manner. Federations must also target
clubs and individual athletes. We will strive to streamline the federation landscape and resultsoriented funding.
We must correct the lack of motor skills development and fitness among our young people. In this
respect, we will strive to achieve the related Flemish health objectives. Experimental programmes
such as Multimove (3-8 years) and Brede School that offer sports (9-18 years) will be aligned to reflect
the global vision on youth sports policy. In this context, closer cooperation between sport and
education will contribute to the expansion and optimisation of extra-curricular sport.
Due to the increasing pressure on leisure time, we will create opportunities for innovative forms of
sport organised in different ways so that there are enough flexible solutions for those that have to
combine it with active career studies, work and a family, etc.
We will evaluate sport promotion and sport events policy in Flanders. We will make clear agreements
about the role distribution between the different administrative levels. The recently founded
“Permanent Overlegorgaan Sportpromotie” (Permanent Consultation Body for Sport Promotion) is
tasked with developing a new vision.
The sports club will still be the natural biotope for a quality range of sports activities and sustainable
sport experiences in relation to lifelong exercise. Volunteers will play a crucial role and they must
also receive the necessary support. The Government of Flanders will use various channels to invest
in sports clubs. The “Decreet Lokaal Sportbeleid” (Flemish Parliament Act on Local Sports Policy) will
guarantee direct subsidisation for sports clubs via local authorities. The future Flemish Parliament
Act on Sports Federations aims to offer sports federations the opportunity to directly support their
clubs. Both Flemish Parliament Acts must be used and aligned to form strong partnerships in a spirit
of trust with local authorities on the one hand and sports federations on the other. The Government
of Flanders will consistently act in a customer-friendly manner towards municipalities, clubs as well
as towards individual athletes.
Skilled sports coaches guarantee a quality range of activities in sports clubs. Therefore, the “Vlaamse
Trainersschool” (Flemish Trainer’s School) will consistently focus on expanding its range of activities
based on a deepening at the top. The appointment of professional sports management training
directors per (focus) sport will contribute to this objective. The Government of Flanders will also
consult at the federal level on developing a new status for sports coaches. This must offer clubs new
opportunities to fully invest in quality sports coaching.
The specific regulation related to the transition of the status of non-professional athletes to
the status of professional athletes will be reviewed in light of the possibility of a fair training
compensation.
We will implement a dynamic grassroots sports policy, tailored to the needs and ambitions of all
athletes, which devotes attention to diverse disadvantaged groups. Sport is an ideal way to promote
social inclusion. The Government of Flanders will stimulate and support initiatives that promote the
participation of the elderly, people in poverty, people with a migrant background and people with a
disability in sport. We will structurally anchor the “Steunpunt G-Sport Vlaanderen” (G-Sport Flanders
Support Centre).
The Government of Flanders is fully committed to an active “healthy sporting” attitude among
Flemish people and to promoting ethics in sport. A related point of action is the development of
a database in which an athlete’s sports (medical) history is maintained in association with general
practitioners as well as sports physicians. This represents significant progress in preventive sports
medical policy and in establishing a person’s sports medical suitability. In time it could also form
the basis for a personal sports passport. Based on the findings from the pilot project related to
exercise specialists we will examine how these people can take up a coaching role in the context of
preventive health policy.
Flanders must maintain its leading position in anti-doping policy with efficiency and customerfriendliness as the starting point. Speedy amendments to the regulations in accordance with the new
WADA code is a priority in this area.
We will continue to centralise and expand high level sport operations per sport branch in one of
three high level sports centres in Flanders (Ghent-Antwerp-Leuven) using an integrated approach.
We will work towards a single campus per sport branch in which talent development, high level
sports training infrastructure, high level support and sport science and sport medical support will
be clustered. The list of high level sport branches will act as an allocation key for resources and will
determine which sport branches will take priority. The focus and centralisation principle must create
a clear efficiency gain. In addition we will examine how we can create additional opportunities for
applicants of “Windows of Opportunity” projects (non-focus sports), in administrative terms as well
as high level sport support (medical-paramedic, sport science, etc.).
Following the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, the high level sports policy will be evaluated in relation
to a new high level sport action plan. Be Gold and the role of the partners will also be evaluated in
2017 as established in the agreement. The Government of Flanders will continue its efforts related to
team sports, guaranteeing visibility for the communities. The “Topsport Vlaanderen” (Top-Level Sport
Flanders) brand will be used in the spirit of the new Flemish corporate identity to promote Flanders
using its high level sports policy both nationally and internationally.
The Government of Flanders wants to boost innovation in the sports sector. Research must provide a
solution to specific policy issues. A shorter link will be established between knowledge development
and knowledge implementation. This will create additional scope for ad hoc research and policy
relevance will also be key in other instruments such as the high level sport chairs or experimental
projects. There will be an additional focus on knowledge sharing with citizens.
Sport is much more than exercise alone. Sport allows people to acquire skills that could be important
in all areas of life. The role of sport in skills development and routes to work will be explored in more
detail, especially with regard to young job seekers.
XXI. IMMOVABLE HERITAGE
We will implement the “Onroerenderfgoeddecreet” (Flemish Parliament Act on Immovable Heritage)
approved by the Flemish Parliament. In mid-2017 we will evaluate the initial results of this Flemish
Parliament Act and its effects in the field, with the aim of potentially amending it. We will also issue
the implementing decree of the “archaeology” section of this Flemish Parliament Act as quickly as
possible so that this section can also enter into force. Archaeological research aims to increase our
knowledge of our past. When establishing archaeological zones we will ensure that zones are only
designated in areas where genuine knowledge gains can be expected. As soon as this section enters
into force, we will continuously assess its implementation, including with regard to its feasibility
and affordability and we will amend it where necessary. We will ensure that excavation results are
sufficiently converted into scientific knowledge and are made accessible.
We will work on a further, marked cultural change in the “Vlaamse administratie onroerend erfgoed”
(Flemish Administration for immovable heritage). The administration must adapt and become more
solution-oriented, customer-oriented and operate as a reliable and proactive project partner. This
means a shift in the “total control” working method towards cooperation with and support for
heritage owners, managers and local authorities in a spirit of trust. Cooperation involving immovable
heritage must be assigned a positive connotation. We will ensure greater involvement for owners
and users of immovable heritage in policy and in its implementation on the ground. To achieve this
regular consultation is necessary between the Government of Flanders and organisations of heritage
owners and users to increase support for heritage in respect to ownership.
The administration will develop an assessment framework that allows heritage policy stakeholders to
make advance estimates about development opportunities for a protected building or site.
We will invest in support for immovable heritage among the population and among all stakeholders.
The annual “Open Monumentendag” (Heritage Open Day) is an important instrument in this respect.
We will strive for maximum involvement of all heritage in Flanders, also movable, maritime and
intangible heritage during “Open Monumentendag”.
We will involve as many local authorities as possible in heritage policy and in measures that
the Government of Flanders takes to compile inventories of, to protect and manage immovable
heritage. We will support local authorities that want to cooperate via “Intergemeentelijke
Onroerend Erfgoeddiensten” (Intermunicipal Immovable Heritage Services) or if they want to obtain
accreditation as an immovable heritage municipality.
We will continue to update existing inventories of immovable heritage in Flanders in an objective
manner, in accordance with the Flemish Parliament Act and its implementing decrees.
We will protect the most valuable heritage in Flanders from destruction and decay by protecting
it as a monument, urban site, rural site, archaeological site or landscape. At the same time, we will
re-evaluate earlier protection from the viewpoint of heritage value and the effectiveness of the
protection instrument. We will also evaluate the management objectives and the compulsory access
negotiations for immovable heritage that is already protected and amend, refine and if possible
reduce them if necessary. In doing so, we will also review and carefully examine which cultural
property should or should not be protected.
Protection as a monument must offer every opportunity for a future-oriented and sustainable
significance for the monument and thus also take into account a new classification and
contemporary use. Conservation of heritage elements must also continue to go hand in hand with
other activities.
Agriculture and other human activities must be reconciled with immovable heritage. A legally certain
framework will be developed in which protection initiatives for immovable heritage will not impede
and/or financially impact the continued existence of agricultural firms.
We will selectively employ restoration premiums so that only projects necessary for the conservation
or restoration of heritage characteristics and elements of a listed object will be eligible for the
allocation of a premium. We will evaluate the premium percentages once we have introduced tax
incentives for investments in immovable heritage.
We will introduce the “Erfgoedkluis” (Heritage Safe) at cruising speed, by investing in shares and
providing loans to immovable heritage projects with economic potential and uniting and optimally
managing the Government of Flanders” immovable heritage.
We will examine the possibilities of the acquisition, management and improved access to immovable
heritage and of accompanying and encouraging the jointly protected cultural property with tax
instruments for which the Government of Flanders is authorised. Once we have performed a costbenefit
analysis of the various possible tax incentives for heritage care we will submit a proposal to the
Parliament.
We will examine which initiatives are necessary to expand Herita so that it becomes the ultimate
immovable heritage organisation in Flanders, which with improved access to immovable heritage,
contributes to broad social support as well as encouraging and supporting volunteer work in the
heritage sector. We will encourage Herita to work closely with the various organisations that operate
at home and abroad with different forms of heritage, including FARO.
We will devote particular attention to new land use classifications for vacant religious heritage or
examples that are to be vacated and also encourage shared use of church buildings. Choices must be
made in consultation with the community, Church authorities, dioceses and local authorities related
to the reaffirmation, secondary classification, reclassification or if necessary demolition, where
appropriate, following downgrading.
We will take measures to improve conservation for and access to Flemish maritime heritage. We
will implement the new instruments provided in the amended “Decreet Varend Erfgoed” (Flemish
Parliament Act on Maritime Heritage) as quickly as possible.
We will increase efforts to conserve and improve access to Heritage of the Great War, not only during
but also after the Commemoration period from 2014 to 2018. We will work, alongside France and
Wallonia, and with effective consultation with all stakeholders, on completing the file to obtain
World Heritage status for the most important cemeteries and memorials in the Front region.
We will continue efforts to obtain World Heritage status for Hoge Kempen National Park and the
“Koloniën van Weldadigheid” (Agricultural Pauper Colonies).
UNESCO files provide clear agreements with heritage owners and users or their representatives.
Neither owners/managers nor participants in immovable heritage benefit from the artificial
separation of diverse policy areas. We will resolutely pursue better cooperation with, for example,
nature policy (e.g. via integrated management plans) and cultural policy (e.g. via the expansion
of an integrated storage network). The new Flemish Parliament Act on Immovable Heritage and
the development of Herita vzw offer every opportunity in this respect. We will continue working
towards effective cooperation with Spatial Planning. This will lead to clear and legally certain type
provisions for valuable heritage elements in heritage landscapes.
XXII. TOURISM
We want to help the Flemish tourist sector to develop as en effective and sustainable economic
sector that fully employs its growth opportunities and is able to act as the driving force for job
creation. This is how we aim to also stimulate the local economy. In implementing the “Toerismepact
2020” (Tourism Pact 2020) we will strive for increased cooperation and coordination in tourism
policy. This cooperation applies in the tourism sector as well as between tourism and other policy
areas.
We will develop a strategic policy plan with supporting stimulus funds and promotion budgets for
each of the tourist macrodestinations (coastal cities and their direct environment, the Flemish Coast
and the Flemish regions). We will focus these plans on quality improvement and service provision. In
allocating resources for the stimulus programmes we will give priority to leverage projects that offer
genuine added value for tourism (such as landmarks). We will ensure that projects involving several
macrodestinations will also be eligible.
We will make targeted investments in Flanders’ main tourist product lines: cycling, walking, dining,
art, heritage, landscape, diamonds, fashion, design and shopping and the experience of our bustling
cities (urban innovation). We will select several tourism leverage projects that can make a difference
to the power of attraction exerted by our destinations and concentrate public resources allocated
to tourism on these projects. The core attractions of each macrodestination will form the basis for
selecting these projects.
In association with local authorities we will improve access to Flanders as a whole with an
appealing walking nodes network as previously accomplished with the cycling nodes network. We
will examine how we can reinforce the recreational and functional cycling route network by aligning
them where possible.
We will continue to focus on commemorations for “The Great War Centenary” over the next few
years and provide foreign visitors who take the opportunity to visit Flanders on this occasion with
a hospitable and respectful welcome. We will continue to put Flanders on the map as a peace and
commemorative tourism destination also after 2018.
We will examine, together with the local authorities and other partners involved, whether Flanders’
maritime and nautical past can unlock tourism and act as a valuable resource, for example in
Antwerp and at the Coast.
We will promote Flanders as a top destination for congress tourism (MICE). We will examine whether
we can optimise existing MICE facilities.
We will make our activities to promote Flanders as a tourist destination more efficient. In doing so,
we will make it a priority to devote attention to our neighbouring countries that represent our main
markets. Thereafter we will promote Flanders in a targeted manner also in distant and new markets
across the world. We will improve access to tourist destinations in a sustainable manner by using
cycling and carpooling systems and multimodal public transport (train-tram-bus), bicycle and car in
our communication and promotional activities. We will encourage facilities for coach and campervan
tourism and facilities for persons with reduced mobility and senior citizens. We will examine, in
association with (regional) airport operators, whether we can expand Flanders’ incoming tourist
potential.
We will invest in the “Flanders” brand as a quality label for our tourist destinations and will
guarantee that this label stands for quality, hospitality and fun. In our efforts to promote tourism we
will also focus on ensuring that we elevate the reputation of our various destinations (the Flemish
Coast, international relevant cities, the regions, etc.).
We will develop comprehensive policy to promote Flanders, including Brussels, internationally. We
will examine the optimal, coordinated way to achieve this in the Government of Flanders or in
association with private partners.
To maximise achievements related to our ambitions for “Toerisme voor Allen” (Tourism for All) we
will expand the services of Steunpunt Vakantieparticipatie (Tourism Flanders - Brussels - Holiday
Participation Support Point) and profile Flanders as a destination for care holidays.
We will continue to invest in quality improvements, fire safety and ease of use for existing youth
accommodation.
Based on the recent civil service evaluation, we will assess the “logiesdecreet” (Flemish Parliament
Act on Accommodation), with the aim of amending it to reflect new market developments,
administrative simplification and deregulation where possible. In consultation with the sector we
will replace existing comfort ratings for hotels with the internationally recognised Hotelstars Union
system.
The cultural and tourism sector will cooperate, for example, in the organisation and promotion of
major exhibitions and festivals. We are currently preparing celebrations for the 500th birthday of
Pieter Bruegel the Elder as a major cultural-tourism event.
XXIII. FOREIGN AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
A POWERFUL AND AMBITIOUS FLEMISH FOREIGN POLICY
Flanders is an open society focused on the world. With its open economy Flanders is more
dependent than other countries and regions on the international context and trends. Flanders’
prosperity depends on how we cope with global challenges. If we want to safeguard our future
prosperity we must reinforce Flanders’ competitive position now or we will see it decline. The global
market offers many opportunities that we must now seize and render profitable. Making the Flemish
economy more international is also an absolute priority for the Government of Flanders.
In this globalised world it is essential that we comprehensively defend our interests and resolutely
employ our assets at the international level. Therefore, Flanders has the ambition to stand tall and
self-assured in the world in economic as well as broad political terms. Flemish foreign policy has an
unambiguous vision and strategy. The Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, a fully-fledged Flemish
ministry of foreign affairs, safeguards Flanders’ international policy coherence and is also responsible
for its coordination. We will implement an autonomous, mature and professional Flemish foreign
policy that (1) works to profile Flanders abroad in an individual and targeted manner, (2) focuses
on international enterprise and targeted economic and public diplomacy, (3) has an effective and
more direct voice in the EU, (4) adopts an active and focused policy with regard to its neighbouring
countries and a multilateral approach and (5) strives for development cooperation.
In foro interno, in foro externo. We will focus on the external and international dimension of all
Flanders’ internal powers. We will also resolutely expand our unique role as a federated state in the
multilateral body.
Flemish diplomacy with its own Flemish posts network and the FIT network represents one of
Flanders’ most important foreign policy instruments. Our representatives abroad are at the service of
the entire Government of Flanders and inform us about any relevant developments in their official
jurisdiction.
Professional Flemish diplomacy also requires the development of a Flemish diplomatic career.
We want an improved diplomatic status for our representatives. To achieve this, the cooperation
partnerships related to the regional representatives must be amended to reflect the institutional
reality in the European and Belgian context. At the same time we will create enough traineeships,
courses and mobility for our foreign missions’ staff members. Lastly, the Government of Flanders
representative in the international institutions in Geneva will be assigned a permanent post in
Geneva.
We will deepen the network of Flemish posts and expand FIT’s network. We will expand the network
of posts of the Government of Flanders’ representatives based on a SWOT analysis to Scandinavia,
the Western Balkans, BRIC countries or the MINT countries. We will cluster Government of Flanders,
FIT and “Toerisme Vlaanderen” (Tourism Flanders-Brussels) representatives in each partner country
at a single working location as much as possible with a central point of contact and a joint action
programme and mission document. If several foreign representatives are posted to the same country,
the Government of Flanders representative will be assigned a coordinating role. To support the
Government of Flanders’ missions we will encourage secondment from the policy areas.
We will work on making the Flemish protocol service more professional. To increase Flanders’
international visibility the intra-Belgian protocol agreements must be reviewed. The MinisterPresident must directly succeed the Prime Minister in the protocol list.
The “Interministeriële Conferentie voor Buitenlands Beleid” (ICBB, Interministerial Conference for
Foreign Policy) must meet regularly to promote consultation between the different policy levels. We
will advocate for the ICBB to operate in a more dynamic manner in which development cooperation
is also placed on the agenda.
We will evaluate the existing subsidy system.
We will not ratify the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National
Minorities (FCNM).
A STRONG FLANDERS IN A STRONG EUROPE
The EU is the first and most important lever in Flemish foreign policy.
We will opt for supported European cooperation that rests on the direct involvement of citizens
and that cherishes diversity, including linguistic diversity. The European Union is a cooperation
partnership that must be built using a bottom-up approach and in which subsidiarity and
proportionality are paramount. A strong European Union and a solid economic foundation are
important to ensure everyone’s well-being and prosperity. The EU must first deepen in order to
expand. Member States that face difficulties must be able to count on solidarity but at the same time
they must also take responsibility to get their house in order and introduce structural reforms.
In order to help shape a supported European Union the entire Government of Flanders must, first
and foremost, display effective European awareness. For this reason, we will not only proactively
follow the European agenda but we will also actively help to determine it. Initiatives with coalitions
of other leading European regions - such as Vanguard involved in European industrial policy deserve monitoring.
We will simultaneously reinforce the thorough preparation and timely involvement of relevant
stakeholders in European dossiers. In this way, we will have more influence and control in
European decision-making. The “Departement Internationaal Vlaanderen” ensures coherence and the
coordination of the Flemish position in the EU.
We will increase interaction between Flemish and European institutions. First and foremost we
will formulate and communicate our positions and vision about the EU more clearly and in a more
targeted manner. This means, among other things, that we will report directly to the EU as much as
possible. Vice versa we will ask the EU to provide information directly to Flanders where possible. We
will request the EU to assess Flemish programmes and plans for structural reforms (as in the reform
programme and the stability programme) separately and to issue separate recommendations.
An ambitious Flemish EU policy also requires reinforced Flemish representation in the EU. With
the aim of effective monitoring of the various council configurations each Flemish policy area
will assign one civil servant (at least part-time) to the Flemish Permanent Representation. We will
urge the federal government to amend the cooperation partnership related to coordination and
representation in the EU in a speedy and comprehensive manner. We want the categories of the
European Councils of Ministers to be adapted to reflect the institutional reality. The amendments
must be extended to informal councils, working groups and other meetings. The Flemish Permanent
Representative to the EU must have the opportunity to be a structural part of the Belgian delegation
in the European Council and the Councils of Ministers.
We will provide better support for the Flemish Parliament to implement the subsidiarity test
as provided in the Treaty of Lisbon. The responsible ministers will be available to the Flemish
Parliament to offer clarification of Flemish positions taken in European Councils of Ministers.
The Government of Flanders will continue to play a pioneering role in terms of using Dutch in the
European institutions and defend the interests of linguistic diversity.
The Government of Flanders will ensure a correct and speedy conversion of European regulations.
To this end, we will update the strategy for transposing EU regulations and we will quickly and
correctly complete Treaty procedures (also those with a broader scope than the EU) with respect
for the powers and the role of the Flemish Parliament. We will not implement EU Directives any
broader or stricter than absolutely necessary. We also require clear agreements between the federal
government and the federated states about the apportionment of liability (such as for a European
fine). In doing so, we will adopt the principles as established in the motion regarding a regulation
related to the distribution of any (European) fines between the regions (Document 2260 (2013-2014 No. 2).
We will support the “Vlaams-Europees Verbindingsagentschap” (VLEVA, Flemish-European Liaison
Agency) that acts as a bridge between Europe, local authorities and civil society in Flanders.
INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE
Making the Flemish economy more international is one of Flemish foreign policy’s absolute priorities.
Flanders is highly interwoven with the global economy. Our ties abroad represent our economic
lifeline. Foreign investors account for almost half of the jobs in Flanders. Flanders exports three
times as much per capita as the export giant Germany. It is crucially important that we continue
to stimulate the open economy for the prosperity of each Flemish citizen. Thus we will also work
on a targeted strategy to make the Flemish economy more international together with Flanders
Investment & Trade (FIT) - the specialist, independent and flexible agency with guidance from the
business community via the Board of Directors - as a key player.
To achieve a more international Flemish economy FIT’s financial instrumentarium and network
abroad will be used in a more targeted manner through differentiation to target groups and with
a greater focus on emerging countries. Increased capacity in FIT’s foreign network is necessary for
more extensive support and to allow us to respond more flexibly to opportunities in new, emerging
and fast growing markets (such as Africa). FIT’s economic missions are extremely important for
our exports and for attracting foreign investments. Missions by the “Agentschap voor Buitenlandse
Handel” (Belgian Foreign Trade Agency) must be complementary to those organised by FIT and must
offer added value for our companies. Therefore, to create scope we will limit the number of missions
organised by the “Agentschap voor Buitenlandse Handel” to two per year and we will reduce our
allocation accordingly.
Foreign investors are a vital component of Flanders’ economic fabric. FIT must be able to implement
a more proactive and more targeted differentiation strategy for foreign investments with an
intelligent specialisation strategy and spearhead clusters as a basis. We will provide “strategic
innovation support” (in addition to Strategic Transformation Support and Strategic Environmental
Support) to underpin FIT’s focus strategy to attract targeted foreign investments. We will also
provide instruments to improve the general cost position of enterprises. We will develop an effective
retention policy to ensure that we retain foreign investors.
Economic diplomacy deserves special attention. We will advocate for cooperation between the
federated states, which have an exclusive power related to foreign trade and attracting investments
and the federal level that has a supporting role.
Concluding international trade agreements is an important way to stimulate global economic growth
and is also an instrument for development and sustainable global trade. In these international
trade agreements we therefore strive for compliance with labour and environmental standards
but in a European and international context so that we do not subject our own companies to any
competitive disadvantages.
We want interregional trade flows to also be calculated in Flanders’ trade balance and for the
EU and other international organisations to make more use of regional statistics. We will invest
in cooperation with the National Bank of Belgium for more and better data, also with regard to
knowledge construction and relevant data collection and analysis of Flemish exports and capital
flows from and to Flanders.
A TARGETED CULTURAL, ACADEMIC AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
International promotion and reputation development are crucial for the public perception of Flanders
abroad and lead to investments in Flanders. We will therefore develop an integrated strategy for the
Government of Flanders’ economic, academic, cultural and public diplomacy.
We will reinforce Flanders’ public diplomacy. We will involve foreign and domestic opinion and
opinion makers in our foreign policy and interact and communicate with the foreign public to make
them more familiar with our culture, ideals and institutions. We will also focus on the “foreign
country on our doorstep”: the international community (expats) in Flanders and Brussels and
Flemish people all over the world that are our frontline ambassadors. Brussels, Capital of Europe,
Capital of Flanders, will play a greater role. We will organise a series of conferences in Brussels for
a broad European and international audience: “Flanders in Dialogue”. We will use the “Flanders
Inspires International Visitors Programme” to introduce foreign “high potentials” to Flanders. Flemish
ministers and civil servants will participate in welcoming foreign delegations and missions to
promote Flanders.
We will implement an active Flemish presence policy at important and visible presentations abroad
providing optimal visibility for our Flemish identity.
Cultural and academic diplomacy are important instruments for showcasing our assets abroad. We
will work closely with the arts and culture sector and universities and colleges of higher education
to put Flanders more in the spotlight on the international stage in cultural and academic terms, to
illustrate our cultural assets and academic excellence and provide mutual reinforcement abroad.
Via the “Vlamingen in de Wereld” (Flemings in the World) association we will actively involve
Flemings that reside abroad in Flemish foreign policy. We want the voting right for Flemish people
abroad to be expanded to regional and European elections, ideally by introducing a system of
e-voting. We will strive for the continued existence of a quality range of Dutch-language education
abroad in consultation and in association with the Netherlands.
ACTIVE AND FOCUSED NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND
MULTILATERAL POLICY
Flanders will implement an active neighbouring countries policy. The cooperation with the
Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia is a priority (related, for example, to economic
competitiveness, innovation, the environment, mobility, the aging population, language and culture).
We will not only apply bilateral but also trilateral cooperation in the Flanders, the Netherlands
and North Rhine-Westphalia triangle so that we can better defend our common interests. We will
strengthen ties with countries, federated states and regions with common interests. We will also
establish cross-border cooperation partnerships with our neighbouring countries and regions such as
Northern France, via the European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) with the aim of greater
cohesion in as many policy areas as possible. The Benelux too will continue to be an important tool
in our neighbouring countries policy.
In consultation with the Netherlands and other actors we will examine how we can highlight the
achievements of William I of the Netherlands in a suitable manner in 2015, pursuant to Resolution
2487 (2013-2014) - Nr 1 related to the 200th anniversary of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and
the commemoration of the achievements of William I of the Netherlands.
We will draft concise bilateral strategy papers to establish cooperation with privileged partners.
The strategy papers will represent a “lively” and dynamic document that provides direction for
our bilateral relationships. We want to use the skills and expertise built up in Flanders in Flemish
foreign policy (such as our expertise in the maritime and port operations sectors and environmental
technology). We will examine which instruments we can develop to achieve this.
In the context of the Commemoration of the centenary of the First World War, memorial gardens
abroad must also contribute to Flanders Fields and Flanders retaining an international focus
as a peace destination also after 2018. In 2015, we will take initiatives together with “Toerisme
Vlaanderen” (Tourism Flanders-Brussels) and local partners to commemorate the first gas attacks
in Flanders Fields in a fitting and respectful manner. The central project group and “The Great War
Centenary (2014-18)” project office will be responsible for organising permanent consultation and the
exchange of information between the diverse partners and levels.
Flanders will implement a coordinated, focused and coherent policy related to international
organisations that are important to the region. It is extremely important for Flanders to be actively
present in international institutions. We will also encourage Flemish youngsters to participate in
traineeships in international organisations.
We will examine how we can become more involved in decision-making processes of the most
relevant international organisations. Therefore, we want to adapt the framework agreement related
to representation in international organisations to reflect the institutional reality.
We want to be involved and informed in advance when the federal government is negotiating an
international treaty or agreement to avoid late or overhasty ratification of international treaties.
We will advocate, in accordance with the “mensenrechten en Vlaams internationaal beleid” (human
rights and Flemish international policy) paper, for an active human rights policy with our values as
the main guideline and the EU as the main lever.
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
As a solidary federated state, we attach great importance to our Flemish powers related to
development cooperation and emergency aid. Developing sound democratic policy, legal and social
structures in the South as well as respect for human rights is a prerequisite for sustainable and
inclusive development. We also attach special importance to our development cooperation in this
respect. If necessary we will take suitable measures ensuring that the population does not suffer as a
result.
We will use our resources in the most efficient manner, avoid fragmentation and opt for a clear
concentration policy. We will select a limited number of themes in which we have considerable
expertise and experience and in which we can make a difference (such as entrepreneurship,
education, agriculture and sexual and reproductive healthcare). Gender is a transversal theme
in Flemish development cooperation. This all consistently takes place in accordance with the
international consensus on good donor practices. We will focus on ownership and self-reliance.
For the purpose of concentration and continuity Flemish development cooperation will continue to
focus on a limited number of countries in Southern Africa for which we will develop strategy papers.
South Africa continues to be an important partner in Flemish foreign policy but given this country’s
economic development we will evaluate its position as a Flemish development cooperation partner.
Flanders will sign up to the UN’s Post-2015 Agenda that strives for the integration of the
development agenda and the sustainable development agenda (climate).
We will support the role of each pillar of development cooperation: governments, international
organisations, private organisations, NGOs and cooperation partnerships.
Development cooperation begins in the North. For this reason we will also continue to invest in,
for example, the fourth pillar operations and municipal development cooperation. We will create
awareness among the general public about development issues through education and the media
and thus create support. We will also support projects for microfinance.
Every two years we will organise a “Vlaamse Staten-Generaal” (Flemish States-General) for
development cooperation to exchange ideas and network with our partners.
We will make efforts to achieve our contribution to the 0.7% norm.
POLICY RELATED TO THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND TRANSHIPMENT OF
STRATEGIC GOODS
With regard to trade in strategic goods we will strive for a balanced and responsible consideration
of ethical, economic and safety elements. There is adequate information exchange about the end use
between the enterprises and the government. We will shorten the lead-time for files by, for example,
promoting cooperation between all the competent bodies and optimising cooperation with Customs.
Flanders will jointly safeguard compliance with international agreements regarding penalty systems.
We will conclude a cooperation partnership for nuclear exports.
XXIV. FINANCE AND BUDGET
The Government of Flanders wants to keep the budget in balance, in spite of the major challenges
it faces. A balanced budget offers tomorrow’s generations future perspective. In 2015, we will
immediately free up a limited budgetary scope to be able to address the major policy challenges we
face as quickly as possible. We will not pass on any bills to future generations.
We resolutely opt not to increase tax rates but to work as much as possible with structural
measures and structural reforms. These must lead to a better government service. For service
provision that is partly funded with a user contribution, we will ensure an acceptable cost recovery
rate that is comparable to other countries and regions.
One-off budgetary measures will still be possible to cover one-off expenses or in anticipation of the
structural measures that will be introduced at cruising speed. We will not sell any land or buildings
to subsequently buy them back or lease them.
The Government of Flanders must score higher in the “waar voor je geld” (value for money) index:
less bureaucracy, increased efficiency and more results per euro spent. A systematic comparison
with other countries could provide guidance in this respect. We will make it a priority to prune
administrative nuisance and in services whose added value is not demonstrable or those that could
be provided in a different way. The government must cast off the things society can achieve alone.
We will focus on achieving efficiency gains in government and semi-government operations.
Sometimes this can be achieved by reducing the number of services and institutions, sometimes by
merging their tasks, sometimes by trimming them down to their core tasks and allocating support
tasks elsewhere. We will establish limits for the size of the government, reduce the number of entities
and get rid of as many intermediate structures as possible.
We will provide ongoing monitoring and adjustments to the Government of Flanders’ budget. The
multiannual budget forms a strict multiannual framework in this respect.
The structure of the general expenditure budget will be extended to the budgets of all autonomous
agencies in order to be able to link the policy budgetary allocation to policy indicators in a uniform
manner. We will continue to harmonise the budget’s structure.
One euro paid in interest on arrears is one that cannot be used for investments. Therefore, all
ministers and policy areas will make continuous efforts to pay uncontested (parts of) invoices within
thirty days. The figures will be made public and permanently available.
To make this possible we will introduce a uniform accounting system with intelligent scanning of
invoices and einvoicing in all sections of the Government of Flanders. We will organise a central accounting office
that will be responsible for processing invoices (not purchase orders). We will also make efforts to
better estimate the total cost of projects. We will examine how successful centralisations, such as
pooling insurances, can be expanded or applied elsewhere.
New shareholding can be implemented on the condition that it has a clear policy-based added value
or strategic importance. New shareholding requires a realistic business plan, with an expected return
that is consistent with a competitive return in the sector concerned. We will phase out non-strategic
shareholdings as soon as the institutions involved are self-reliant and the market conditions are
favourable.
Repayments (basic and penalty) from the KBC and the potential valorisation of other shares will all
be used to reduce the Flemish debt.
With the aim of maintaining our favourable rating and the durability of Flemish finances, by the end
of the legislative session we will limit the consolidated debt, PPP debt and guarantees to a global
ceiling to the amount of a percentage of revenues. If choices have to be made we will use guarantees
primarily as an instrument to help enterprises obtain funding using an evaluation of our guarantee
regulation (NV Waarborgbeheer and Gigarant).
Given the increasingly strict European regulations we will abandon DBFM projects that rely on
refinancing guarantees, excessively high capital shareholding or non-market-conforming funding of
projects with public funds. The PPP added value must be illustrated using objective analysis.
In its undertakings to be consolidated the Government of Flanders will optimally use financial
surpluses to reduce its debt and interest costs. Financial accounts will be consolidated as much as
possible in centralised treasury management. We will strive to optimally focus investments in Flemish
government securities.
We will advocate for the exemption of withholding tax on income from real estate for entities that
fall within the perimeter of the Government of Flanders and invest in Flemish government securities.
We will avoid multiple subsidisation as well as multiple instances of shareholding for the same
infrastructure, companies or activities, by developing a subsidy and shareholding database.
We will align the balance of the local authorities to the multiannual process for the Belgian
government with adapted standardisation and testing of local authorities, as jointly approved at
the “Overlegcomité” (Consultation Committee). The Government of Flanders is not responsible for the
impact of federal measures on the budgets of local authorities. Local authorities are responsible for
their budget result.
TAX POLICY
We will adapt the distribution tax so that couples that separate pay a maximum of one percent.
We will work on transparent and simplified tax legislation. We will integrate all Flemish tax
regulations in the “Vlaamse codex fiscaliteit” (Flemish Tax Codex) to provide an effective overview.
With the transfer of fiscal competence for home acquisition (“woonbonus” (home bonus)) to Flanders
we can comprehensively review housing taxation. We want to continue to support property
acquisition but will also devote attention to the impact this support policy has on the property
market and on the government’s budgetary sustainability.
Existing contracts will be honoured under the agreed conditions. For contracts concluded as of 1
January 2015 we will reduce the basic amount of the assessment year 2015 by the amount of the
ten-year increase. We will maintain this increase of 760 euros on top of the new basic amount for ten
years. For these contracts, we will calculate the tax benefit at the rate of 40%. The home bonus can
be used twice at the most for the same property.
For existing contracts we will calculate the tax reduction maintaining the tax amounts for the
assessment year 2015.
We will work on budget-neutral simplification for registration duties and rework existing favourable
measures to achieve an overall lower rate for the family home. The philosophy of the portability of
paid registration duties will be preserved.
As of 1 January 2015, we will take over the service of succession, registration, gift and mortgage
rights from the federal government as already decided by the Government of Flanders. Succession,
registration, gift and mortgage rights will be made accessible online as much as possible via the
personal tax file on the “Belastingportaal Vlaanderen” (Flanders Tax Portal).
After taking over the service and with attention for federal changes to the law of succession, we
will examine how we can modernise and align the laws of succession to contemporary types of
cohabitation, whereby we will continue to take the family aspect into account.
We will continue to eradicate tax discrimination. With the aim of simplification we will also review
favourable tax regimes for public and semi-public institutions.
We will take positive measures to activate additional building land. The existing temporary reduction
in gift tax on building land will be extended as will the link with the obligation to build on it within
a certain period of time. Thus we will stimulate people to also actually build on the land concerned.
We will also simplify the gift tax for real estate. We will provide simple rates that will discourage
people from avoiding taxation through all kinds of constructions. We will take account of potential
attraction and volume effects.
Tax reductions, exemptions and existing support systems will be optimally integrated. In this way,
we will make government allowances clearer and more transparent. This can take redistributive
elements into account. With regard to reductions and exemptions in withholding tax on income
from real estate, we will make agreements with local authorities to include the budgetary effects of
abandoning reductions in existing compensation regulations.
If the evaluation is positive we will extend the temporary investment deduction for materials and
equipment for additional investments.
Based on the results of a pilot project conducted in the GEN zone in consultation with the other
regions and the actors involved we will examine if and under which conditions (mobility impact,
social impact, impact on viability, feasibility, adequate alternatives, etc.) a kilometre charge could be
introduced for passenger vehicles over time in a budget-neutral manner. If we introduce road pricing
for cars, fixed taxes will be abolished. These involve vehicle registration tax (BIV) and the annual
road tax. In the meantime, a road vignette could already satisfy “the user pays” principle. We will
closely monitor developments abroad, such as German intentions to introduce a vignette, and join in
if this leads to a cheaper and better-integrated system.
We will make the annual road tax greener in a budget-neutral context.
We will take over the service of tax on gambling and betting, the tax on automated recreation
devices and the opening tax as of 1 January 2017.
We will make the levy on vacant business premises more flexible and policy-based. We will align the
reduction for withholding tax on income from real estate for unproductiveness with the vacancy
levy on business premises to produce a policy-based coherent whole.
Given the impact of empty, uninhabitable and derelict properties on the local environment and the
responsibility that local authorities hold today in terms of compiling inventories of and monitoring
these properties, the taxation responsibility will be concentrated at the local level. This will allow
an unambiguous policy to be implemented on a single level. The Government of Flanders will
take a step back in municipalities where a regional levy still applies so that owners are no longer
confronted with double taxation.
XXV. APPENDICES
APPENDIX: NEW ORGANISATIONAL CHART FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS
Beleidsdomein Kanselarij en Bestuur (Chancellery and Public Governance Policy Area)
Now:
DAR (Policy Area for the Services for the
BZ (Public Governance Policy Area):
General Government Policy):
•
Departement DAR (Department for the
•
Audit Vlaanderen (Audit Flanders)
Services for General Government Policy)
Studiedienst van de Vlaamse Regering
(Research Centre of the Government of
Flanders)
•
AGIV (Flanders Geographical Information
•
•
Vzw de Rand (NPO De Rand)
Agency)
Muntpunt
•
Departement Bestuurszaken (Public
•
Agentschap voor Facilitair Management
•
Agentschap voor Overheidspersoneel
•
Agentschap voor Binnenlands Bestuur
Governance Department)
(Agency for Facility Management)
(Agency for Government Personnel)
(Agency for Local and Provincial
Government)
•
Jobpunt Vlaanderen (Flemish Agency
•
Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering
for Recruitment and Selection)
(Agency for Civic Integration and
Orientation)
•
Vlaamse Vereniging voor ICT-personeel
(Flemish Association for IT staff)
Future:
•
Departement Kanselarij en Bestuur (Chancellery and Public Governance Department) (merger of
•
•
•
Agentschap Overheidspersoneel (Government Personnel Agency)
the BZ and DAR departments and the Agentschap Studiedienst Vlaamse Regering)
Agentschap voor Binnenlands Bestuur (Agency for Local and Provincial Government)
Facilitair Bedrijf (Facility Company)
•
The AFM (Agency for Facility Management) and e-IB (e-Government and ICT Management
•
The e-gov and information policy section (including archive policy, excluding archive
Entity) will be merged
management) will be incorporated into the Agentschap Informatie Vlaanderen (Agency
Information Flanders)
•
•
Audit Vlaanderen (Audit Flanders)
Informatie Vlaanderen (Information Flanders):
•
Agentschap Geografische Informatie Vlaanderen (Flanders Geographical Information
•
•
A Flemish Info line will be added
Agency) will be transformed into a broader information agency
The e-gov and information policy section of the Facilitair Bedrijf (Facility Company) will
be added
•
Privaatrechtelijke EVA Inburgering en Integratie (Private Legal External Autonomous Agency for
•
Privaatrechtelijke EVA vzw Vlaanderen Connect (Private Legal External Autonomous Agency vzw
•
•
•
•
Privaatrechtelijke EVA vzw de Rand (Private Legal External Autonomous Agency vzw de Rand)
Civic Integration and Orientation)
Vlaanderen Connect)
Privaatrechtelijke EVA Muntpunt (Private Legal External Autonomous Agency Muntpunt)
Privaatrechtelijke EVA (Private Legal External Autonomous Agency Accessible Flanders)
Diensten Bestuursrechtscolleges (Flemish Administrative Law Councils Services)
Beleidsdomein Financiën en Begroting (Finance and Budget Policy Area)
• Departement Financiën en Begroting (Department of Finance and Budget)
• Vlaamse Belastingdienst (Flemish Tax Service)
Beleidsdomein Internationaal Vlaanderen (Flemish Foreign Affairs Policy Area)
• Departement Internationaal Vlaanderen (Department of Flemish Foreign Affairs)
• Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT)
• Toerisme Vlaanderen (Tourism Flanders-Brussels)
Beleidsdomein Economie, Wetenschap en Innovatie (Economy, Science and
Innovation Policy Area)
• Departement Economie, Wetenschap en Innovatie (Department of Economy, Science and
Innovation)
• Agentschap Ondernemen & Innovatie (Agency for Enterprise & innovation) = merger of
Agentschap Ondernemen (Enterprise Flanders) and part of the IWT (Agency for Innovation by
Science and Technology) (business processes)
•
Privaatrechtelijke EVA FWO (Private Legal External Autonomous Agency Fund for Scientific
Research) = merger of the Fund for Scientific Research, part of the IWT (the Agency for Innovation
by Science and Technology) and the Herculesstichting (Hercules Foundation)
•
•
•
•
Agentschap Plantentuin (Agency for the National Botanic Garden of Belgium)
Participation Company Flanders (PMV)
Flemish Participation Company (VPM)
Limburg Reconversion Company (LRM)
Beleidsdomein Werk en Sociale Economie (Work and Social Economy Policy Area)
• Departement Werk en Sociale Economie (Department of Work and Social Economy) (including the
integration of Subsidie-agentschap (Subsidy Agency) and ESF-agentschap (ESF Agency Flanders),
which has already been decided)
• VDAB (Flemish Service for Employment and Vocational Training) (takes over some tasks of the
ESF-agentschap (ESF Agency Flanders))
• Syntra Vlaanderen (SYNTRA Flanders)
Beleidsdomein Onderwijs en Vorming (Education and Training Policy Area)
• Departement Onderwijs en Vorming (Department of Education and Training) (= merger of
the existing department with the Agentschap voor Kwaliteitszorg in Onderwijs en Vorming
(Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Training)) (the merger of the Agentschap voor
Onderwijscommunicatie (Agency for Educational Communication) is underway)
• Agentschap voor Onderwijsdiensten (Agency for Educational Services)
• Agentschap voor Hoger Onderwijs, Volwassenenonderwijs en Studietoelagen (Agency for Higher
Education, Adult Education and Study Grants)
• Agentschap voor Infrastructuur in het Onderwijs (Agion) (Agency for Infrastructure in Education)
Beleidsdomein Welzijn, Gezondheid en Gezin (Welfare, Public Health and Family Policy Area)
• Departement Welzijn, Volksgezondheid en Gezin (Department of Welfare, Public Health and
Family) (merger of the existing department with the Agentschap Zorginspectie (Flemish Care
Inspectorate Agency))
• Agentschap Zorg & Gezondheid (Agency for Care and Public Health)
• Agentschap Zorgfonds (Agency for the Flemish Care Fund): will be transformed into the
Agentschap Vlaamse Sociale Bescherming (Agency for Flemish Social Protection)
• Agentschap Jongerenwelzijn (Youth Welfare Agency)
• Agentschap Personen met een handicap (Agency for the Disabled)
• Agentschap Kind en Gezin (Child and Family Agency)
• Agentschap voor Samenwerking rond Gegevensdeling tussen de Actoren in de Zorg (Agency for
Cooperation on Data Sharing between Actors in the Care Sector)
Beleidsdomein Cultuur, Jeugd, Sport en Media (Culture, Youth, Sport and Media Policy Area)
• Departement Cultuur, Jeugd en Media (Department for Culture, Youth, Sport and Media)
(including the integration of the Agentschap Kunsten en Erfgoed (Agency for Arts and Heritage),
Agentschap Sociaal-Cultureel Werk voor Jeugd en Volwassenen (Agency for Socio-Cultural Work
for Youth and Adults) and the KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp) has already been
decided)
• Agentschap Sport (Agency for Sport) (BLOSO)
• Vlaamse Regulator voor de Media (Flemish Regulator for the Media)
Beleidsdomein Landbouw en Visserij (Agriculture and Fisheries Policy Area)
• Departement Landbouw en Visserij (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) (merger of the
existing department with the Agentschap Landbouw en Visserij (Agency for Agriculture and
Fisheries))
• Instituut voor Landbouw- en Visserijonderzoek (Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research
(ILVO))
• VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board)
Beleidsdomein Omgeving (Environment Policy Area)
Now:
LNE (Environment, Nature and Energy
RWO (Spatial Planning, Housing Policy
Policy Area):
and Immovable Heritage Policy Area):
•
•
Ruimte Vlaanderen (Spatial
•
Wonen-Vlaanderen (Housing Agency -
•
•
Onroerend Erfgoed (Flanders Heritage)
Departement Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie
(Department of Environment, Nature and
Energy)
Development Department Flanders)
•
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos (Agency
•
Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek
•
Vlaams Energieagentschap (Flemish Energy
(Inspectorate Agency for Spatial
Agency)
Planning, Housing Policy and
•
Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij (Flemish
Immovable Heritage)
•
Openbare Vlaamse
for Nature and Forests)
(Research Institute for Nature and Forest)
Environment Company)
•
Afvalstoffenmaatschappij (Public Waste
Agency of Flanders)
Flanders)
Inspectie Ruimtelijke Ordening,
Woonbeleid en Onroerend Erfgoed
Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Sociaal
Wonen (Flemish Social Housing
Company)
•
Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen
(Council for Permit Disputes)
•
Vlaamse Regulator van de Elektriciteits- en
Gasmarkt (Flemish Regulatory Body for the
Electricity and Gas Market)
•
Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (Flemish Land
•
Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Watervoorziening
Company)
(De Watergroep) (Flemish Water Supply
Company)
•
Milieuhandhavingscollege (Environmental
Enforcement Court)
Future:
•
Departement Omgeving (Department for the Environment) (merger of the LNE Department
(Department for Environment, Nature and Energy) and RWO Department (Department for
Spatial Planning, Housing Policy and Immovable Heritage) and the Agentschap Inspectie RWO
(Inspectorate Agency for Spatial Planning, Housing Policy and Immovable Heritage)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos (Agency for Nature and Forests)
Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek (Research Institute for Nature and Forest)
Vlaams Energieagentschap (Flemish Energy Agency)
Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij (Flemish Environment Company)
Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM)
Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (Flemish Land Company)
Flemish Regulatory Body for the Electricity and Gas Market (VREG)
Agentschap Wonen Vlaanderen (Housing Agency Flanders)
Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (Flanders Heritage Agency)
Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Sociaal Wonen (Flemish Social Housing Company)
Beleidsdomein Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken (Mobility and Public Works Policy Area)
• Departement Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken (Department of Mobility and Public Works) (merger
of the Departement MOW (Department for Mobility and Public Works) with the Agentschap
Wegen en Verkeer (Agency for Roads and Traffic))
• Agentschap (NV) Waterwegen (Waterways Agency) (merger between NV Waterwegen and
Zeekanaal and NV De Scheepvaart)
• Agentschap Maritieme Dienstverlening en Kust (Agency for Maritime Services and Coast)
• De Lijn (Flemish transport company - De Lijn)
External policy areas
• Hospitals (UZ Ghent, OPZ Geel, OPZ Rekem): will become independent
• Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Watervoorziening (De Watergroep) (Flemish Water Supply Company)
• Flemish Public Broadcaster (VRT)
Strategic advisory bodies
Current situation
Future situation
Flanders Social and Economic Council (SERV)
Flanders Social and Economic Council
(SERV)
Flanders Mobility Council (MORA) (integrated
Flanders Mobility Council (MORA)
in SERV)
(integrated in SERV)
Strategic Advisory Council Welfare, Public
Strategic Advisory Council Welfare, Public
Health and Family (SAR WVG) (integrated in
Health and Family (SAR WVG) (integrated in
SERV)
SERV)
Flemish Council for Science Policy (VRWI)
will be decommissioned
Strategic Advisory Council Culture, Youth,
Strategic Advisory Council Culture, Youth,
Sport and Media (SAR CJSM)
Sport and Media (SAR CJSM) (integrated in
SERV)
Flemish Education Council (VLOR)
Flemish Education Council (VLOR)
Environment and Nature Council of Flanders
will be merged to form the Omgevingsraad
(MiNa-Raad)
(Environment Council)
Strategic Advisory Council for Spatial Planning
and Immovable Heritage (SARO)
Vlaamse Woonraad (Flemish Housing Council)
Vlaamse Woonraad (Flemish Housing
Council) (integrated in SERV)
SAR Landbouw en Visserij (Strategic Advisory
SAR Landbouw en Visserij (Strategic
Council for Agriculture and Fisheries)
Advisory Council for Agriculture and
Fisheries) (will be integrated in SERV)
Strategic Advisory Council for Flemish Foreign
Affairs (SARiV)
Flemish Advisory Council for Public
Governance (Vlabest)
Administrative embedding in SERV simply implies that the secretariats of these strategic advisory
councils will be embedded in SERV. The strategic advisory councils will still issue autonomous
opinions and civil society can be specifically represented in the strategic advisory councils concerned.

government of flanders 2014-2019 coalition

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