Subsidies support projects that tackle radicalisation

Flanders’ minister for home affairs and urban policy, Liesbeth Homans, has approved a budget of €154,080 to subsidise two projects aimed at tackling radicalisation among young people. Homans said earlier this year in her policy statement that she wanted to support cities in implementing measures to prevent young people being influenced by radical ideas.

“In the spring of 2013, several Flemish cities were confronted with radicalised young people who had left for Syria to fight the Assad regime,” she said in a statement. “The rise of IS has made this problem all the more urgent. Flemish cities are now being confronted with serious challenges.”

The funding has been awarded to the Flemish association of cities and towns (VVSG) and the charity Motief. “These subsidies have been awarded in response to appeals for help from cities and towns,” Homans said. “They will establish a regional contact point and provide support for frontline work focused on young people who are at risk of adopting radical ideas.”

The projects will initially focus on Antwerp, Brussels, Mechelen, Vilvoorde, Kortrijk and Maaseik.