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Beautiful buildings in Mechelen

Mechelen

Belgium

Mechelen is situated in the Belgian Flemish region and home to 90,000 people. As the capital of the Netherlands in the 16th century, Mechelen has a very rich and important history.

90k

7 m

65.79 km 2

Our Work

The city of Mechelen adopts an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach where collective impact and sustainable improvement are key. The Department Prevention and Urban Security within the city administration is the backbone of the local urban security and peace building programs, which are focused around six domains: 

  1. Active citizenship and participation of vulnerable minorities in local peacebuilding programs to include the voices of vulnerable communities.
  2. Safe environment for children and youngsters to grow up, with a specific focus on restoring safety in a context of domestic violence.  
  3. Safe, net and attractive public domain to tackle feelings of insecurity, with a special focus on gender related violence and street harassment.
  4. Early intervention for vulnerable young people who are losing connection to regular social institutions (school, families, police, justice, etc.) with a focus on re-integration and restoring mutual trust between youngsters and institutions.
  5. A consequent law enforcement for so called petty crimes with a focus on restorative justice and mediation programs between victims and offenders.
  6. Outreach harm reduction programs for extreme vulnerable persons with a complex combination of addiction, mental health and housing issues.

Challenges facing Mechelen

Because of its location, midway between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen is faced with an increasing threat of violence from organized drug crime. Laundering criminal money by infiltrating legal economic sectors brings violence, corruption and the disruption of the social fabric. This is a serious threat to local communities. At the same time, global conflicts and international migration increase us-versus-them thinking. Social media gives a megaphone to unfiltered hate speech, misinformation and toxic polarization.

City Member

Organizational Partners

Cali, Colombia city coat of arms
Palmira, Colombia coat of arms

Achievements

The city has established a €3.500.000 annual investment in crime prevention programs.

€3.500.000

annual investment in crime prevention programs

Testimonial

The Peace Incentive Fund from Peace in Our Cities boosted and strengthened our local ambitions to create a new online prevention program. The financial support led to a new long term work program to prevent online hate speech, polarization and misinformation with the sustainable support of the Flemish government.

Werner Van Herle, Head of the department of prevention and safety

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