Belgium, Flanders, Antwerp
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Vast-Goed is active in the city of Antwerp (Belgium).
https://www.google.es/maps/place/Nationalestraat+111,+2000+Antwerpen,+Belgique/@51.2138949,4.3956182,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47c3f6f1972aca97:0xfbc127baeb69091e!8m2!3d51.2138916!4d4.3981931!16s%2Fg%2F11c5nmh25g?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
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Vast-Goed is an innovative model in which we open up buildings to a diverse group of local volunteers and professionals. Beweging.net has developed a model for spacesharing, named Vast-Goed. Starting from the principles of shared usage and management in underused or empty patrimony (owned by the city or by the church), we’ve opened 3 locations in the last 5 years.
Based on a clear needs analysis - organisation, associations and engaged citizens have expressed their need for spaces in the city of Antwerp - the shrinking number of ‘third places’ for vulnerable residents/unorganized adults in multiple areas and districts of the city of Antwerp - and the overall pressure on ngo’s with a social scope/the experiences shrinking space for civil society - we want to further develop this valuedrive, community based and co-creative model for spacesharing (also as a counterweight for commercial exploitation of empty patrimony).
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With three locations operational at the start of 2025, we began assessing additional neighbourhoods where community infrastructure was clearly lacking. The district of Berchem (a dense, highly populated, and rapidly gentrifying area) emerged as a priority.
In the absence of a concrete political mandate, and therefore without the necessary resources to initiate a formal trajectory toward establishing a shared community space, we leveraged our European funding to map potential sites and develop a local strategy.
This strategy focuses on transforming suitable locations into open and accessible community hubs for local residents, particularly vulnerable groups who are increasingly at risk of social isolation.
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Oud Kapelleke is a piece of parochial heritage with a long tradition as a cultural and community venue in Berchem. Today, the space hosts local music and choir groups, nature and heritage organisations, as well as a variety of neighbourhood activities. It functions as an important meeting point, strengthening local cultural life and informal social ties.
Despite its relevance, the venue is managed by a very small volunteer‑based NGO (three people), relying on a traditional rental model and fixed user groups. This model has become increasingly unsustainable due to an ageing volunteer base, limited management capacity and a strong focus on “keeping the place running,” leaving little room for innovation or shared ownership.
In early 2025, beweging.net’s Vast‑Goed initiative started collaborating with the NGO that manages Oud Kapelleke. This cooperation aimed to stabilise the organisation, broaden its network and introduce principles of shared use, shared management and community‑driven development.
A first milestone was the creation of a management council, a shared governance space bringing together existing volunteers, Vast‑Goed and key user groups. This helped clarify expectations, reduce fears of abrupt change and build trust around a gradual development trajectory.
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Based on governance discussions, usage analysis and community input, we worked with partners to identify future directions, such as strengthening shared management and introducing new operational partners with an open accessible character + with a focus on learning opportunities such as De Beek (social kitchen) and Hariwa vzw (computer lessons for vulnerable women).
➡️ Next Steps: Towards “OK2600” The process is now moving toward a more formal collaboration, a renewed identity for the venue and further development of shared management practices. The aim is to transform Oud Kapelleke into OK2600: a vibrant, multigenerational, community‑driven meeting place that builds on heritage while opening up to the future.