Pajottenland+ is investing over €274,000 in LEADER support for seven innovative rural projects that enhance the connection between people and landscape, climate-resilient villages, sustainable agriculture, local food, and social inclusion. The initiatives will be implemented in Lennik, Ternat, Pepingen, and several other municipalities within the LEADER Pajottenland+ operational area.
According to LEADER Pajottenland+, the approved projects highlight the wide range of challenges and opportunities in rural areas. These include a new landmark in Natuurpark Slagvijver, the greening of a village parking lot, a permaculture trial garden, an inclusive park, and a project aiming to foster dialogue between agriculture and nature.
Frank Nevens, chairman of LEADER Pajottenland+, emphasizes the great diversity and focus on connection: 'We are investing not only in physical structures or green spaces, but primarily in connection. A landmark that brings people together, a green village center, agriculture and nature conversing again, a trial garden for learning, and local agricultural products reaching families in need. This is the essence of LEADER for us: strengthening local ideas to have a lasting impact on the countryside.'
The municipality of Lennik is receiving €90,392.25 in LEADER support for the project ‘Natuurpark Lennik voor iedereen – ontwikkeling landmark’. In Natuurpark Slagvijver, a recognizable landscape beacon will be created, serving as a place for rest, meeting, and experience. This complements existing initiatives like the adventure forest and wheelchair-accessible walking paths, aiming to develop the nature park into an accessible and touristically attractive green space.
The municipality of Ternat also receives a significant boost with €72,150 in LEADER support for the project ‘Landschap en natuur in de Bollestraat’. The parking lot at the cemetery in Wambeek will be redeveloped, replacing a substantial part of the existing pavement with water-permeable materials and green zones to improve water management, reduce heat stress, and increase biodiversity.
In Pepingen, the ‘V-project’ aims to demonstrate that green spaces can be created even in densely built-up village centers. An existing grey side facade of an emergency dwelling will be transformed into a Living Wall, a vertical vegetation wall. LEADER Pajottenland+ supports this project with €48,685, a vertical solution for the limited space in the heart of Pepingen, near the town hall and the future family campus.
The project ‘Grond tot Gesprek’ (Ground for Conversation) by Landelijke Gilden, receiving €42,517.30 in LEADER support, aims to foster dialogue between agriculture, nature, and society. In three locations where tensions exist between different users of open space, farmers, nature managers, citizens, and other stakeholders will be brought together to discuss real stories from agriculture, nature, and short food supply chains in an accessible manner.
Itchy Feet vzw receives €4,875 for the further development of a publicly accessible permaculture trial garden in Pepingen. On a 1.1-hectare site, native trees, shrubs, and herbs will be planted, along with landscape elements, seating areas, and walking paths, to introduce residents and visitors to biodiversity, landscape, and alternative food production methods.
Havinet receives €7,800 for the creation of an inclusive park zone. This new green park aims to connect residents of Zonnestraal more strongly with inhabitants from the municipality and surrounding villages, serving as a meeting place for nature, movement, and inclusion.
Food and social inclusion are also addressed within the new LEADER projects. Voedselbank Pajottenland (Food Bank Pajottenland) receives €7,800 for ‘Lokale Oogst, Lokale Zorg’ (Local Harvest, Local Care). The project seeks structural collaboration with local agricultural producers for ’t Winkeltje, which supports vulnerable families, enabling more local produce to be distributed to families in need.
Through these seven projects, LEADER Pajottenland+ supports total project investments exceeding €400,000, with €274,219.55 coming from LEADER funding. The projects align closely with Pajottenland+'s local development strategy for a strong landscape, livable villages, and an agricultural sector connected to society.
Tom Dehaene, deputy for rural policy, highlights the strength of local initiatives: 'LEADER empowers them to turn ideas into concrete projects. From increased biodiversity and climate-resilient villages to local food and community interaction, each project contributes to a stronger and more livable Pajottenland.'
