The URBAN I programme for Antwerp (Flanders) targeted an area with a population of 66 300, which had suffered from a long period of under investment. The area was characterised by high levels of unemployment, crime, and poverty and had a significant immigrant community.

The Telecentre project - which aimed to foster both economic growth and social inclusion - was one of the main pillars of the Urban I programme in Antwerp. URBAN II money has enabled the telecentre to employ over 160 people, many of them from excluded social groups.

The establishment of a telecentre in 1998 was one of the main projects of the Antwerp URBAN I programme. The goal was to make this a profitable enterprise, creating employment and promoting the regeneration of the area.

The Telecentre has since become an outstanding success. Activity has grown on average by 32% per annum over each of the past three years. In 2001, it employed over 160 people from 10 different nationalities, speaking 14 different languages. It has also made an important contribution to social inclusion, as two-thirds of its employees are women, two-thirds have little formal education and one-third belong to ethnic minorities.

The growth of this business has also convinced several business support services, such as a temp agency, a restaurant and a small supermarket to set up in the immediate vicinity of the Telecentre, contributing further to the economic regeneration of the neighbourhood.

The EU contributed EUR 325 000 to the project, the Flemish government contributed EUR 335 000, the city of Antwerp contributed EUR 1 116 000 and the private sector contributed a further EUR 497 000, creating a total investment of EUR 2 273 000.

City of Antwerp
Mr. Hugo Hermans (EU-programme coordinator), tel. +32 3 270 03 40

01/01/1998

case

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration, Economy knowledge & employment