Border Residents: From Challenge to Future Perspective

OnbegrensdZeeuwsVlaanderen is participating in the Grenswoners | Muzus project. In this project, we are exploring how living near the border can contribute to broad prosperity for young people and future generations in the border region. We delve into the world of young people and develop future perspectives that help municipalities and residents to push boundaries. We compare the situation in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen with that in South Limburg.

• 'How can living near the border contribute to broad prosperity for young people, starters, and future generations in the border region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, both in the Netherlands and Belgium?'
• 'And how does this manifest in the border region of South Limburg, where the situation is reversed?'

The Grenswoners* project aims to answer these questions. Grenswoners is a process in which Muzus, a social design agency, HZ Knowledge Center Zeeland Society, Knowledge Center Neimed (Limburg), and OnbegrensdZeeuwsVlaanderen collaborate.
 

From Challenge to Future Perspective

Muzus spoke with students from Reynaertcollege and talked to young people during the Roetsj event in May. Muzus maps out the stories, dreams, and challenges of young people and explores, together with experts and stakeholders, the opportunities for a vibrant future.
 

Co-creation Session with Professionals

A follow-up part of this process was a co-creation session at Terneuzen City Hall with researchers, experts, and stakeholders on June 25. There, we discussed the results of the project. Under the guidance of Muzus, we engaged in conversations about the city/village of the future based on a theme related to broad prosperity. We elaborated on the topic of social cohesion in relation to urban development. To attract returnees and new Zeelanders from outside our region, we need an attractive urban environment/vibe. Realizing permanent housing and scaling up social and leisure facilities are therefore important.