How does Vooruit.brussels make Brussels a city tailored for young people?

Drug addiction, drug trafficking, and drug-related violence have become very visible in Brussels in recent years. Many people no longer feel comfortable walking on the streets after dark. Taking public transport after a night out at a pub, or in the early hours of the morning, carries risks. Perhaps you too know someone who has been mugged on their way home.

The drug issue requires a different approach. Vooruit.brussels wants to establish a new, specialised police unit. Its focus? The fight against drug trafficking and the associated violence. Under the leadership of a Brussels drug coordinator, we will draw up a regional drugs plan.

We take a very firm stance against those who make a lot of money from drug trafficking and do not hesitate to use violence. Because those are the criminals. The public prosecutor's office must be reinforced so that the police reports reach their conclusion and every offence is punished. By offences, we mean not only physical aggression, but also sexual harassment, racism, and other inappropriate behaviour. If you were raised to treat people with respect, then you expect the same in return. Quite rightly so. We ensure that, in addition to the police, MIVB staff and city wardens are also trained to respond effectively to inappropriate behaviour.

It's understandable that you don't feel safe taking public transport or that you avoid certain streets. Encountering drug addicts on your route is unpleasant and even dangerous. This is because addicts have short tempers and everything else must make way for their addiction. How can we counter this? By focusing on the core of the problem: someone struggling with addiction is ill and needs to overcome that addiction. However, going through withdrawal alone and without motivation will never succeed. That is why we want more drug consumption rooms and on-site help. Primarily to limit the damage, but also to gain the user's trust and, in the long term, guide them towards a rehabilitation program. Just like you would help a good friend when they're going down the wrong path. These are vulnerable people who are victims of drug gangs.

The drug gangs are the criminals, the user is a patient.

On some days you walk out of your door and literally trip over the rubbish bags left on the pavement outside. When the bin lorry has been, you notice the street is still full of rubbish. Our city is dirty and urgently needs to be cleaned up.

Vooruit.brussels wants to replace the system where we have to put out rubbish bags in all the colours of the rainbow with underground containers and waste disposal points. No more hassle with complicated rubbish collection. In the future, you'll simply drop your waste into an underground container in your neighbourhood. Just like the system with the glass containers.

There is also impunity for illegal dumping in Brussels. It seems as though everyone can simply put their old appliances and furniture on the street. We punish illegal dumping and increase the fines, but we also ensure that you can easily make an appointment several times a year to have bulky household waste collected.

Our slogan is: “Nightlife is culture”. Visit.brussels wants to protect nightlife in Brussels at all times, because nightlife is part of Brussels‘ identity and, above all, part of your freedom. That is why we are demanding that the next government include a minister specifically responsible for nightlife. This minister will be assisted by the ’Brussels Night Council' comprising club owners, DJs, and also smaller collectives who organise parties from the heart of the city. Everyone must be involved so that your voice is heard.

Historic venues must continue to exist. There must also be room for new venues in our capital city. Vooruit.brussels has already protected Brussels' nightlife as intangible cultural heritage. This puts an end to the hounding out of clubs. Someone who moves in next to a nightclub or bar will not be able to file dozens of complaints about noise nuisance. In this way, we protect nightlife, where you make new friends and meet new loves.

We are under no illusions. Growing up in Brussels isn't always carefree. Many of you face poverty, unsafe home situations, violence, or mental health issues. Or children go through a difficult period, that can happen too. Being able to ‘escape’ for a while to a park, square, youth centre, sports club or any place where you feel at ease is therefore very important.

The Brussels squares and parks are places you like to visit. However, they are often outdated and not really designed for relaxation. Vooruit.brussels wants you to be able to contribute to the redesign of such squares and parks. We will plant more trees in the squares and provide benches and infrastructure so that girls also feel at home there. Furthermore, our streets and squares need sufficient drinking fountains and public toilets. Installing them is one thing. But that's not all, because we also need to maintain and keep them clean. That's where things often go wrong.

The ultimate goal is for there to be a small square or park within 500 metres of every home, where you can sit outside on pleasant benches or on a lawn under trees that offer shade.

You relax often together. But being busy, being able to take your mind off things, that's also important. That's why we want to continue to encourage your creativity and organisational talent. Halls that are too often empty in Brussels municipal buildings should be rentable to young people at a low price. We are creating a database of spaces you can use. So that you can organise an activity yourselves or develop an idea or project yourselves.

We know that you are deeply concerned by the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and by the many innocent victims who have already lost their lives in Gaza through this atrocity. Vooruit.brussels pulls no punches: we condemn Israel's violence and advocate for the recognition of Palestine as a state.

With Caroline Gennez in the federal government, Vooruit in Belgium has taken a leading role in demanding a ceasefire, condemning the excessive violence in Gaza, and ensuring more humanitarian aid for the millions of displaced people in Gaza. Belgium has kept a cool head and continued to support the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after accusations from Israel. Other countries have followed suit. And we continue to fight for more sanctions against the far-right Israeli government and for the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Some of you may have grown up in a crowded flat, with rooms that have no windows, where problems like mould or leaks aren't dealt with, where the heating sometimes fails. A good home is the foundation of everything. A bad home gives you stress.

Vooruit.brussels absolutely wants to prevent housing in Brussels from becoming unaffordable. Rents must not exceed a certain level, so that less wealthy people can still live in Brussels. These are the nurses, teachers, cashiers, cleaners and firefighters – the people who truly keep the city running. But with their wages, they can no longer find affordable housing. Your parents should be able to give you every opportunity. That starts with coming home to a good home.

In new construction projects, we ensure there are sufficient social housing units for those who are less well-off. We also opt to provide specific apartments that can accommodate large families or people with disabilities. The right to housing must be protected at all times.

The chance that you have come into contact with the police is real. Just like the chance that you have had a discussion with the police. Contact between young people and the police is not good. Officers probably make light of you and you feel too little respect. Sometimes it leads to discussions and clashes. That is problematic.

Because you are part of the city. It's time the police stop seeing you as enemies. But the same applies in the other direction. Officers are asking for the same: a bit of respect. That's possible, but a better relationship needs to be worked on together. Vooruit.brussels proposes that a youth police force be established, just like in Ghent. These officers will be present at events where you are and will serve as a direct point of contact. You can talk to them in confidence or contact them via their own social media channels. This role is specifically for officers with a Brussels background.

Because for Vooruit.brussels, this is perhaps the most important thing: the Brussels police corps must reflect the city. Why wouldn't you become officers one day? Being a police officer is a noble profession, but we all know it has an image problem. We want you to be the teachers and officers of tomorrow. So you can help shape the city and truly understand the next generation of young people. Someone from West Flanders won't understand what you experience as Bruxellois, or why you'd rather sit on a square than at home. We want officers who truly know Brussels. That's why we need you.

Going to school should not be a burden. A school should be a safe haven for you. Bullying, vandalism, illegal possession of weapons, or drug use absolutely do not belong there. Bullying has crept into our society. Unfortunately, it often starts at school. You have all encountered bullies at some point. Perhaps you have experienced bullying firsthand. Perhaps you were the perpetrator yourself.

We take a firm stance against bullying. In the future, schools will receive external support to ensure that small groups that might be disruptive can reflect. We are implementing a time-out for these young people, followed by reintegration and a bespoke learning plan. There are several options for this reintegration. Either the young person returns to school full-time, or options such as dual learning or part-time education will be sought.

Vooruit.brussels wants to ensure that you can count on teachers who are passionate about being in the classroom. Teachers who won't let you down halfway through the school year. That's why teacher training must be better, so that there are committed teachers in the classroom. We also want more teachers from Brussels, so that they – like you – have a feel for the city and can empathise. That's why those who teach in Brussels and have also lived there for a number of years will receive a financial advantage.

If we want to make Brussels a top student city, we need to tackle affordable student accommodation. There is currently a shortfall of 10,000 student rooms. We urgently need to create more student rooms. These must also be fire-safe and of high quality. We will ensure this with a room label, with clear rules that landlords of student rooms must comply with. No exploitation of our students by slumlords.

To maintain an overview, we are establishing one regional online room platform with all information, where you can quickly and easily find a room, including those from the universities and universities of applied sciences themselves.

We want you to enjoy all aspects of the city. By showing your student card, you will receive additional financial benefits, allowing you to attend exhibitions, cultural performances, cinema and other events in the city without worries.

We encourage higher education institutions and universities to not operate in isolation, and to participate in Brussels life alongside you, for instance by opening up their infrastructure, but also by entering into partnerships with socio-cultural associations.

In Brussels, the reality is unfortunately that a quarter of young people in Brussels are unemployed. When you go in search of your first job, and especially when you encounter struggles, we ensure that no one is left behind. Actiris, the public employment service for jobseekers and employers in the Brussels-Capital Region, must adopt a targeted approach to youth unemployment by providing more individualised support. We ensure that they truly get to understand you by inviting you to panels. There, you can provide feedback on Actiris's working methods. This will lead to a better understanding of your experiences during this job search.

Those who haven't found a job after two years will be given a basic job. We will ensure that you are looked after and that everyone genuinely gets opportunities. The basic job is a fully-fledged job with a full wage, and it is located in a specific area where there are local needs, such as support in schools or care facilities. From each according to the ability, to each according to the work, of course. We reward those who work. If you refuse a basic job, you will also lose your allowance.

In a cosmopolitan city like Brussels, you live day in, day out, at school and on the street, with people of different origins, different nationalities, and different beliefs. That is why we assume that neutrality lies in what you do, not in what you wear. In London, you also see officers with a headscarf or a turban, don't you? The wearing of religious symbols should be permitted for civil servants, teachers, dustmen, officers, etc. Many young Muslim women graduate as teachers but subsequently cannot find a job because they wear a headscarf. What a waste of talent. We need everyone in our education system.

At the same time, we do take action against proselytising at school or in the workplace. You are completely free in your choice of faith, and everyone must respect that. But on the other hand, you may not impose or force your own beliefs on anyone else.

Making the right choice every day and never making a mistake doesn't exist. However, the impact of a wrong choice varies. For some of you, there will be greater consequences than for someone else. We are aware that everyone can make mistakes and go down the wrong path. But one thing is clear: we don't just give up on you. When a young person comes into contact with the justice system, our first priority is to offer guidance. We approach this in a positive way, so that each of you can refocus on what really matters: studies, and subsequently a successful professional career and a good job.

Making the wrong choice is one thing, of course. Sometimes certain lines are really crossed. Then a punishment is necessary. When one of you has had to serve such a punishment, we advocate for reintegration through “gangplank houses”. These are small-scale residential centres anchored in the neighbourhood, specifically aimed at a younger target group. There are no such gangplank houses in Brussels yet, but they must be established. You will then be guided to accommodation after release, so that you are more confident and do not end up on the streets when you return to society.

Anyone who has experienced a summer in Brussels knows that you can literally feel the heat rising from the pavement. And where can you go for an outdoor swim? Nowhere.

Summers in Brussels are getting hotter and hotter, and quite frankly, there are no alternatives. Pool is Cool does its best with its outdoor swimming pool Flow, but it's time for more pools. How great would it be to have more places to swim outdoors, such as in the canal, for example? By 2030, Vooruit.brussels wants to have two new outdoor swimming pools. One at the Abattoir site and one next to the Beco dock on the canal. We won't stop there. To truly cope with these crazy hot summers, we also want to install swimming ponds in Brussels parks where possible. No more puffing and sweating in a city that's too hot.

To make the city even cooler, there is only one solution: less concrete and more grass and trees. Wherever possible, we will plant extra trees so you can find shade. On large (industrial) sites, we will create new green spaces, ponds, and parks. This is how we ensure healthy air and cooling.

Artists, performers, musicians, DJs, designers and all other creative people make Brussels a city where there's always something happening. And it must remain that way, because we want you to be able to discover something new every day and be surprised. Over the past 5 years, with our State Secretaries Pascal Smet and Ans Persoons, we've ensured that more than 200 new studio spaces for performers and artists have been created. We welcome all your creativity with open arms.

When you want to propose and showcase your own designs or creations in our city, you will naturally need places to do so. There is a very simple solution for that, because in neighbourhoods like Dansaert there are many empty shop windows and commercial premises. We will oblige the owners to open these up, so you can organise pop-ups there at a low price. We will ensure that the empty shop windows are occupied by the creative minds of Brussels.

Graffiti is a way to express yourself, as evidenced by the many tags in the city. You could even say it's a part of Brussels. That's why we need a central graffiti policy. We will continue to remove illegal tags, but we want to offer you spaces and walls where graffiti art is permitted. Both public buildings and private individuals can make ‘bare spots’ available.

Do you feel at a younger age that a normal school path isn't for you and that you want to be more creative? We completely understand that. You don't all have to aim for a desk job. We want you to be able to express yourself fully and be the best version of yourself. That's why we are focusing on full-time secondary arts education as a third valid study option. Furthermore, we are already ensuring that your creative talent can count on support through the debut subsidy from the Flemish Community Commission. We will continue to make these investments.

Slow fashion must win out over fast fashion in Brussels. We are making space for young designers who create sustainable clothing and who prioritise reuse in their designs. You are mad about second-hand shops, and that is more than logical. These shops should not disappear. They are part of your unique identity. In fact, we want to encourage you to be even more mindful not only of clothing, but also of furniture, bicycles, electrical appliances, and other products.

We are focusing on ‘repair workshops” where you can learn from experts to fix your own belongings or meet local repairers. Your neighbour could become your first point of contact. Not just when you're out of milk, but also when your coffee machine suddenly breaks down.

In a city where cycling is becoming increasingly popular, we are also ensuring that Villo's shared bikes disappear and are replaced by new shared bikes from MIVB. These will be fully electric and included with the MIVB subscription. For those who wish to keep their own bikes and keep costs down, we again encourage them to maintain them themselves through local repair workshops.

It may be less obvious growing up in the city with a pet, but every animal and every life counts to us. It hurts to see someone hitting their dog, a stray kitten begging for food, or a cage with a bird standing sadly on a balcony in the rain. Vooruit.brussels' primary aim is to establish an Animal Cops Corps in Brussels. This body will act against animal cruelty throughout the region, because every animal deserves a dignified existence.

Bringing a cat or dog into your home is not a problem at all, as long as you don't start a breeding programme with them whereby you sell kittens and puppies and make a profit. You are still obliged as an owner to have a cat spayed and registered. For dog owners, we are providing extra dog-friendly spots such as off-leash areas.

Although you may have many neighbours and often many friends in Brussels, it is certainly not always easy to find someone to look after your pet for a few days when you are away. Vooruit.brussels wants to create additional boarding facilities for small pets, in the city and in the surrounding areas of Brussels.

We must face the past head on. The Brussels government sat down with the Congolese community and has already approved an initial decolonisation action plan. We will continue to implement this. You are still confronted daily with our colonial past. One thing is certain, we must not make excuses for what happened in the past.

Where possible, we are looking into removing statues and references to colonisation from our streets, parks, and squares. Of course, you can't remove everything at once, which is why we provide extra explanations and context in some places. Or we ask artists to dress up an old statue in a new way, so it can also serve as a critique of that horrific past.

We want you to no longer be confronted with the colonial past today. You must be able to write your own future and come up with ideas, for example for a new statue in which you do recognise yourselves.