Over 13,500 welfare recipients guided into jobs in Flanders under local activation scheme
In one year, 115 Flemish municipalities helped over 13,500 people receiving social welfare transition into employment. That is well above the government’s initial target. The results are part of the ‘Lokaal Activeringspact’, an initiative launched by the Flemish government in 2023 to boost employment through local support.
The scheme offered subsidies to municipalities that took active steps to guide welfare recipients into work, including job fairs, company visits, and tailored training programmes. Minister for local government and social economy Hilde Crevits (CD&V) praised the approach as “one that works”, and noted that each successful transition reduces pressure on social support systems.
Originally, local authorities were expected to help 20 per cent of social welfare recipients find work. The pact encouraged them to go beyond that, and they did: 13,552 individuals were guided to employment, 5,000 more than expected.
The province of Antwerp led the way with 5,226 job placements (+1,881), followed by East Flanders (3,799, +1441) and West Flanders (2,660, +1167). Some municipalities even doubled their targets. Others, such as Hulshout and Jabbeke, fell short, often due to labour market constraints or complex personal profiles among welfare recipients.
Despite the positive results, the number of people relying on social welfare in Flanders continues to rise, though less sharply than in Brussels or Wallonia.
A second round of the activation scheme, backed by 8.5 million euros in new subsidies, is already underway. Nearly 200 municipalities signed up, an increase from the initial 115.
The Flemish government ultimately aims for an 80 per cent employment rate across the region.
The challenges municipalities are facing are expected to grow significantly in 2025 due to new federal restrictions on unemployment benefits. Starting January, long-term unemployed individuals are gradually losing their entitlement to benefits: first those unemployed for over 20 years, then those out of work for more than eight years (from March), and finally, anyone unemployed for over two years (from April).
Estimates vary, but between 100,000 and 190,000 jobseekers across Belgium could lose their unemployment benefits in the coming months. At least a third are expected to seek support through municipal welfare (OCMW) offices. Both the federal and Flemish governments promise more support.
#FlandersNewsService | A job fair in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ