On Wednesday 19 March, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium visited Parcourage, a local partnership in the Bruges region that helps young adults facing complex challenges find their place in society. With support from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Flemish government, and local partners, Parcourage provides tailored guidance to those who need it most. The project demonstrates how cooperation and personalised support can create lasting opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Tailored support for young people

Parcourage works with young adults aged 17 to 30 who face multiple difficulties, such as homelessness, mental health issues, addiction, or a combination of social and economic hardships. The project offers a flexible and accessible approach based on personal empowerment. Each participant takes the lead in shaping their own path at a pace that suits them, with support available for as long as needed.

One participant described how Parcourage changed their life: ‘I dropped out of school in Year 4, got caught up in drugs and hadn’t lived at home for years. I spent two years in a care home before moving in with my boyfriend at 18. The Flemish employment service, VDAB, referred me to Parcourage, and they helped me with everything – finding useful daytime activities, making appointments with the doctor, gynaecologist, psychologist… A year ago, I couldn’t see a future for myself. Now, I can. I just want a normal life with my boyfriend.’

Collaboration as the key to success

Parcourage brings together ten local authorities and numerous social organisations, including the Centre for General Welfare Work (CAW), VDAB, welfare services, and training centres, to provide support across all areas of life. This close cooperation ensures a holistic approach, so participants do not have to repeatedly explain their situation to different organisations.

Hanke Vandorpe, Parcourage’s coordinator, highlighted the value of this collaboration: ‘Each organisation in the partnership provides a coach who brings their own expertise to the team. Within this group, we have direct lines of communication and can rely on each other’s knowledge. It really is a cross-pollination of expertise.’ By working together, the partners can respond more effectively to each young person’s needs and help them build a stable future.

ESF+ funding: investing in innovative solutions

Parcourage is one of 44 local partnerships in Flanders funded by the ESF+, the EU’s main instrument for investing in people. The ESF+ supports innovative initiatives that test and refine new approaches to social inclusion and employment, helping to ensure that no one is left behind.

Benedict Wauters, Head of the Europe WSE department, stressed the importance of aligning funding with real impact: ‘If funding creates pressure on organisations, they risk focusing on numbers rather than people. We must avoid that at all costs. The emphasis should always be on quality.’ The ESF+ funding model allows projects like Parcourage to focus on what works best for participants, rather than on rigid targets.

A message of hope and recognition

During his visit, King Philippe spoke with participants, coaches, and policymakers, recognising the life-changing impact of Parcourage’s work. Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director-General at the European Commission’s DG Employment, underlined how the project reflects the core principles of the ESF+: ‘This project embodies our strategy to fight poverty by bringing services together, ensuring a long-term approach, and focusing on quality rather than quantity.’

Parcourage shows that with the right support, vulnerable young people can build a future for themselves. Thanks to the ESF+, projects like this are making a real difference across Europe.