Problem addressed
Demographic
- Specifically rural context, with a concentration of residents in the small urban centers and small numbers of residents in the core villages (Borgloon and Tongeren together have 30…): residents in the core villages are rather the elder population, they often live alone. Logically there is an increased risk of social isolation. Seniors living alone in rural and aging municipalities are often more vulnerable due to insufficient help at home, mobility barriers and loneliness.
- Another challenge is the increased presence of newcomers and families with a migration background who require special attention to integration and bonding with the region.
Economic
- Higer than average figures of deprivation and child poverty: in Borgloon and Tongeren the share of children and young people (0-24 years) with an increased health insurance contribution is 18.6%. That is higher than in Limburg and the Flemish average.
- Technical profiles are difficult to find and too many short-skilled employees do not have (quality) work. In Borgloon and Tongeren respectively 9.3% and 12% of job seekers are under 25 years old. More than 42% (Borgloon) and 47% (Tongeren) of job seekers have low education. On the other side, there are 602 open jobs in both municipalities (383 temporary + 219 permanent, excluding interim jobs). For the majority (75%), a diploma is not required.(Source: VDAB Limburg 31/05/22.) There is a discrepancy.
Social
- Alienation of the local population with what is currently happening in agriculture (innovation, technology, biodiversity) combined with a complex relationship between agriculture and tourism. There is tension in the use of open space for agriculture, tourism and nature.
- Many young people in the region have dropped out of school and formal learning. They are not sufficiently stimulated, there is a need for more 'practical learning'.
Technological
- Clear digital vulnerability among various groups in Haspengouw. The combination of the rural character where organizations (working on e-inclusion) are not very active and the presence of a large group of vulnerable families and single elderly people living in extended areas is a lack towards the digital bridge between families and social life in Haspengouw.
Innovative solution
Klooz strives to build on: explicit interfaces and cross-pollination between supply, active involvement, target group expertise and field knowledge of partners from various domains (agriculture, tourism, art, work, welfare and leisure).
Special attention is aimed at involving new focus groups and helping them develop meaningfully. For klooz, these focus groups span all generations: people with a migration background (refugees and labor migration), families in poverty, work-poor and low-skilled adults, teenagers, young adults, elderly people living alone, reorienting adults and hard-to-reach residents in the rural Haspengouw. They drop out of formal learning contexts (school, work, training) due to barriers such as time, money, language, isolation, organizational reasons or previous negative experiences with formal learning.
Knowledge, methods, but also barriers and 'gaps in supply' are translated cross-sectoral, pro rata the learning questions of our learning ecosystem, by setting up and/or strengthening intuitive learning opportunities. Talent development and learning opportunities are the key buidings stones.
How?
Connecting and strengthening accessible learning contexts within which young and old can experiment (together), discover, use and further develop their talents. Cross-pollination of various partners (initiators and do’ers) who need each other to set up the learning context around skills and therefor exceed their regular activities. In this way we ensure that inequality of opportunity is combated in Haspengouw and there is an easier access to a qualitative life.
Key results and benefits
klooz aims for an inclusive, diverse and learning ecosystem in Haspengouw. It wants the prosperity and well-being of residents, entrepreneurs, employees, organisations, students and visitors by increasing favorable conditions to learn learning development personal talents. The ambition is to make Haspengouw a more prosperous region where the rich history of the region goes together with technological and regional innovation. After 1.5 year of working we are still in the start-up stage but the first benefits of the ecosystem become visible.
The current process teaches us that connecting different regional learning environments and ecosystems at a supra-local level offers several advantages. This unique connection has a strong leverage function. Moreover, lessons learned can be quickly processed between partners because there is an environment of proximity and trust.
By collaborating and providing support in experiments regarding solution-oriented processes, collaboration models and future-oriented transformations, a learning process is created with possible growth opportunities for sectors and population groups that are under pressure.
Some detailed examples of our experiments:
- A crossover between hospitality, social integration and tourism via the historical figure; Cristina Mirabilis to inform and educate regarding cultural historical aspects of the local region as well as to address the impact of physical an mental wellbeing. This is from all times and for different target groups.
- Another example is tightening the GAP between agriculture, tourism and citizens. The link with innovative fruit cultivation is also used to lower barriers to intuitive learning among migrant workers. Accessible research provides insight into the many barriers e.g. why we eat less local,seasonal fruit, what migrant workers do outside work in terms of free time and relaxation. By analysing the needs from different perspectives, klooz examines whether a (reciprocal) learning effect unconsciously arises.
- Klooz contributes in building the digital bridge by collaborating with LIDK. By offering the opportunity to experiment with 3D printing, Photoshop, virtual reality in a pleasant setting: ‘the digital youth setting SHIFT’, in a context away from school and after school hours, all youngsters regardless their back ground can come and experiment for free with the latest digital media. SHIFT is the creative place to stimulate and strengthen 21st century skills for boys and girls.
More examples can be found via social media Facebook & Instagram and the website klooz.be.
Potential for mainstreaming
Klooz can share insights based on the current pilot stage it is in and the ongoing experimental stage. After 1.5 year of trial, error and success, the local learning ecosystem was able to compose an effective governance, organizational network in development and a human-centered design approach and follow-up. These lessons learned can be transformed in a broader context so other starting learning ecosystems can apply and adapt (element) from klooz as a case-study.
Additionally, the try-out stage also involves experimenting on a strategic level with various business models, this can help to identify sustainable and adaptable frameworks for broader implementation.
