From January 1, 2027, two new partnerships, Wijk naar Werk and ATHENA, will be dedicated to the employment initiative 'Antwerp Works Neighbourhood-Focused'. This initiative by the City of Antwerp aims to guide individuals with significant barriers to employment, particularly young people and women with a migration background, towards training and sustainable work. The approach complements the existing services of VDAB by actively engaging in neighbourhoods where residents face obstacles to work and training.
The City of Antwerp seeks to faster detect, guide, and activate talents that are currently underserved. The focus is on neighbourhoods such as Antwerp-North, Borgerhout, Deurne, and Hoboken. The city launched a call for partners in May, from which the two selected organisations emerged. Over the next three years, until the end of 2029, they will guide at least 870 Antwerp residents.
Alderman for Work Lien Van de Kelder emphasizes the importance of this local approach: "In Antwerp, we want more people to work. With these partnerships, we are going into the neighbourhoods and actively seeking talent that remains under the radar, with tailored pathways. We do this through coaches in public squares and youth centres, accessible drop-in moments, and collaboration with the Steunpunt GemmA. The focus is on young people and women with a migration background, whom we guide towards the right training or sustainable employment. This way, we give everyone the chance to move forward."
The partnership Wijk naar Werk joins forces from Gatam, Arktos, Kopa, STW, and Jes. They will operate in Deurne-Noord, Linkeroever, Amandus-Atheneum, Stuivenberg, and Borgerhout Intra Muros. With their years of experience and network in the northern districts of Antwerp, they will guide residents towards employment and work experience, and establish links with employers.
The second partnership, ATHENA, is a collaboration between #SheDIDIT, Randstad, YUE, Young Fenix, and Groep Intro. This team will focus on Borgerhout Intra Muros (South), Borgerhout Extra Muros, Kiel, Hoboken, and Deurne-Southwest. ATHENA distinguishes itself by actively approaching and supporting individuals in terms of well-being, as well as in their search for training or work, with specific expertise in reaching young people and women with a migration background who find it harder to access existing support services.
