Welcome to Flanders and Brussels!
Have you recently arrived in Flanders or Brussels and is everything new to you? Or have you been staying here for a while now, but you still haven’t settled down? We are happy to help you.
Are you looking for a job or do you want to start studying? Would you like to do some pleasant leisure activities? Do you have questions about your rights and duties? Would you like to learn the Dutch language or meet new people? Together with you we will find answers to your questions.
The civic integration programme
The civic integration programme consists of:
- Social orientation: you will learn about life, housing and work in Belgium.
- Learning Dutch: you will follow a Dutch language course with one of our partner organisations.
- Pathway to employment: you will register with the Public Employment Service of Flanders - VDAB (or Actiris in Brussels).
- Participation programme: you will engage in voluntary work, work placement or you will take part in a buddy project.
A programme counsellor will support you during the entire programme. As soon as you reach the goals of each element of the programme, you will receive a civic integration certificate.
Social orientation
During this course you will learn about work, housing, education, healthcare and many more things. You will be informed about values, norms, rights and duties. Your teacher will enable you to find answers to your questions yourself. The teacher will speak your language or another language you understand.
We organize courses:
- in different languages;
- digitally and/or in a classroom at different locations;
- and at different moments: during the day, in the evening or at the weekend.
You will conclude the course by taking a test.
Learning Dutch
We don’t give Dutch language classes ourselves, but together with you, we will look for the course and the school that fit you best. You can always contact us if you have any questions about learning Dutch. If you already know some Dutch, we will test your knowledge to determine in which level you can start.
- Would you like to take a Dutch language course in Flanders? Read more on our page on learning Dutch.
- Would you like to take a Dutch language course in Brussels? Please go to the Dutch Language House - Huis van het Nederlands.
Pathway to employment
Are you aged between 18 and 65 and you don’t have a job yet? We will refer you to the Public Employment Service of Flanders - VDAB (or Actiris in Brussels). They will help you to find a job.
Participation programme
You will choose one or more initiatives to expand your social network. This programme will take at least 40 hours. It might be either a buddy project, a work placement in an organization or company, voluntary work or an alternative.
Looking for an activity? Have a look at www.ikdoemee.be.
Individual counselling
The programme counsellor will support you during the civic integration programme. Together you will discuss the practical things: where and when will you follow the courses, which tests do you have to take … Together with your programme counsellor you will reflect on your short-term and long-term plans. He or she will help you to find an answer to all your questions.
Costs of the civic integration programme
You will have to pay for certain parts of the civic integration programme. During your first appointment, a staff member will discuss your personal situation with you. More information. The civic integration programme is free of charge in Brussels.
Interested?
We speak your language or we will call in an interpreter. We will take our time to listen to you. We will take into account your work, your family and your personal situation. We will talk about what you have been doing in the past and what you can do here.