Communities > Front Runners
Zeeuws-Vlaanderen & Linieland, Netherlands & Belgium
Geography & Identity
Coastal area Municipality of Sluis and neighbouring municipalities in the Zeeuws Vlaanderen area, in the southwest of the Netherlands, bordering Belgium and the Belgian Waas area. The history of fighting the sea and reclaiming land is an important part of the local identity.
Demography
In the last 200 years the population number (350,000) has been stable. Young people leave the area. There is lack of personnel capacity to deliver services, to keep organizations functioning.
Challenges
Keeping the young generation connected to the area. They leave for studies and too often do not return. Simultaneously (big) companies in the Terneuzen harbour need personnel. There is lack of good housing conditions for Eastern EU workers in the Terneuzen harbour. House owners rent-out low-quality housing against high rents.
Differing rules and practices on either side of the border complicate efforts to adapt to demographic change, while worsening droughts place heavy strain on local agriculture. Restoring historical waterways through cross-border cooperation offers a key strategy to build climate resilience and boost tourism. However, in a region with a deep history of land reclamation, returning soil to water clashes directly with local culture—requiring careful strategies that honor heritage while tackling climate threats.
Innovative Actions
Organisation of cross-border internships with local companies (DOW, Cargill, Yara, North Sea Port) to attract the interest of local native young people who went away for study. Cross-border water management, restoring former creeks and landscape restoration and heritage for tourism. Cooperation real estate agencies on housing and cross border living.
Planned Activities
Further education services and involvement with local companies to keep young residents connected to the area.
International internships; climate adaptation of creeks for water harvesting and agricultural production, in cross-border water management.
Region
Municipality of Sluis and West-Vlaanderen municipalities
Country
Denmark
Belgium
Region
Stichting Rootzz and EGTS Linieland van Waas en Hulst
