Tervuren has approved new €1,500 subsidies for recognized sports, youth and cultural associations that promote social inclusion and encourage greater use of Dutch.
To support village activities, committees in Duisburg, Vossem and Moorsel will see their basic grants doubled from €4,788 to €9,576.
Recognized Tervuren associations can apply for the subsidies by Oct. 31 if they lower membership fees for low-income families and/or actively promote the use of Dutch. Eligible organizations must also meet conditions such as providing member insurance, committing to a “harmonious Tervuren” and acknowledging the town’s Dutch-speaking character.
“We note that in many associations—among members, supervisors, monitors and parents—Dutch is still spoken infrequently,” said Alderwoman for Flemish Character Annemie Spaas (N-VA), who is married to former Tervuren mayor and current Flemish Brabant governor Jan Spooren (N-VA). Spaas highlighted that 54.3 percent of children and young people in Tervuren are of non-Belgian origin, and that nearly 68 percent of mothers speak a language other than Dutch with their babies at home.
Jan Trappeniers (CD&V, Voor Tervuren) stressed that the measures remain voluntary. “We’re not forcing anyone to do anything—we’re offering support, because the need is there,” he said. Possible actions under the subsidies include taalafsprakennota’s in which clubs set their own rules for how Dutch is to be used and promoted by coaches and members.
Focus on Community Building
“As you know, this majority is committed to further strengthening community ties in our municipality,” said Bram Bartholemees (OpenVLD, Voor Tervuren), who was appointed in June as alderman for Tourism, Events and Community Life. “Connection is our key to bringing more vibrancy to Tervuren,” added Bartholemees, who also serves as headmaster of the Royal Atheneum Tervuren (KAT).
The measure was adopted by all Flemish parties, including Groen+Vooruit. Councillor Serge Liesenborghs (Tervuren Unie+Volt) cast the sole vote against.
“A sports manager should encourage members to play more and attract new people to the club. But they should not be burdened with all these other objectives,” he argued. Liesenborghs warned that concern for Dutch should not become a “compulsive obsession.”
That remark drew immediate rebuttal from Ralph Packet, chair of N-VA Tervuren. “There’s only one councillor here obsessed with undermining the Dutch-speaking character of our municipality,” said Packet. He accused Liesenborghs of trying to import “multicultural” Brussels politicies to Tervuren. “We’ve seen what a disaster that is,” added Packet, a former MP and now an official at the European Parliament.
“There’s no need to raise your voice, Ralph,” responded council chair Mario Van Rossum (CD&V, Voor Tervuren). Van Rossum has served on the council since 1994 and also works as an adviser to local authorities under Governor Spooren.
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