Neighborhood makers

Neighborhood makers work with young people in a vulnerable situation to tackle an emergency in their neighbourhood. We use STEM skills to work on a circular economy.

Research Theme: Jonge makers; Ruimte voor verbinding en groei

Field of interest: People and Society

Duration: 1/01/2021 - 31/12/2023

Financing: VLAIO; PWO

STEM partnership nearby

In the VLAIO STEM partnership Buurtmakers, Artevelde University College and the Creative STEM are going through trajectories with young people in their neighbourhood until the end of 2023. For example:

In Pierkespark in Ghent, young people are designing the square together with local partners from socio-artistic organizations to the local thrift store, based on different needs and thresholds on the square (tackling litter problems, safety, need for seating areas, etc.)
In Zelzate young people furnish the Z-building in in consultation with the municipality. In the Z-building, young people find a place and are shared with the youth service and other organizations that support young people.
More examples can be found on our LinkedIn page

Ghent and Zelzateare our experimental garden. We then roll out the trajectories in other East Flemish cities and municipalities based on our insights.

What are the objectives of Buurtmakers?

In these programmes, we investigate how we can motivate young people in a vulnerable situation to participate in STEM programs on the circular economy. How do you guide these processes? How can these tracks work at multiple locations and for a long time?

We want to encourage young people to use STEM skills for challenges in the neighbourhood. While working with materials and techniques, the youngsters research how they can limit the use of raw materials. This is how we contribute to a circular economy. At the same time, the young people learn to cooperate with local initiatives and organisations. Qualitative STEM tracks can be a game changer for these young people because it boosts confidence and shows that STEM can help your family, friends and neighbourhood.

How do we work with young people in a vulnerable situation?

We start from needs that live in the neighborhood and among the young people themselves. We explore different possibilities and investigate which materials (e.g. waste from a local wood company) and techniques we can use to make the neighborhood better.

During at least 9 trajectories, with an average of 6 workshops per trajectory, the young people design solutions via design thinking and we get to work in a mobile FabLab or a shared space nearby. We work out solutions in co-creation with the entire neighbourhood: from young to old, from café to company and from neighborhood committee to board. Prototypes are tested and improved. Finally, we celebrate the results.

Collaboration is key. Primarily between young people and local residents, but this project can only be realized with the help of many partners. Artevelde University College, The Creative STEM, TAJO, UNIZO, Ateljee, the City of Ghent and the municipality of Zelzate form a STEM partnership for this project.

Stad Gent

Other STEM partnerships and academies, knowledge institutions, social and artistic organisations, government institutions and companies that we can already count on are Let's STEM together, EqualeSTEMd, Uit de Marge, HUB Developing in diversity, Flemish Service Playground Work, Network Conscious Consumption, ArcelorMittal, Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities, Environment Department, Nerdlab, Switchrs, Het Beroepenhuis and De Krook. We bring everyone around the table in a learning network to make a difference together.

Interested in cooperation?

Are you a company or a potential partner? Are you interested in sharing knowledge about the circular economy, STEM skills or young people in vulnerable situations? Would you like to participate in a process? Do not hesitate and feel free to contact us!