Flanders increases funding to widen access to culture and sport
The Flemish government is releasing additional funding to help cities and municipalities make cultural, sports and youth activities more affordable for people on low incomes.
Minister for Culture and Equal Opportunities Caroline Gennez has announced that the annual budget available to local authorities for such initiatives will rise from 1.65 million to 2 million euros from 2027 onwards.
According to Gennez, of socialist party Vooruit, the increase should enable around 190,000 additional people to benefit from reduced access to activities such as museums, swimming pools and cinemas.
“Culture, sports and leisure shouldn’t be a luxury,” said Gennez. She added that everyone in Flanders should be able to enjoy the cultural and leisure opportunities available in their own neighbourhood.
Local authorities, she says, play a crucial role in lowering the barriers that prevent people living in poverty from taking part in sports, cultural and youth activities. The additional investment will allow them to reach even more residents.
Expanded UiTPAS
Municipalities can use the extra funding in various ways, including expanding the UiTPAS system. The pass enables participants to collect points when attending activities, which can then be exchanged for benefits or discounts at libraries, theatre performances, cinemas and sports facilities.
For people in poverty, the UiTPAS automatically grants access to a reduced tariff, helping to ensure that financial constraints do not exclude them from social and cultural life.
#FlandersNewsService | Visitors look at Jan Van Eyck's Annunciation at the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent, February 2020 © PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP
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