In Aalst and its surrounding districts, Elien Ronse and Leontien Allemeersch (Kunstenplatform PLAN B) are working on a long-term, committed project focused on social work and community building.

In the first phase, Elien and Leontien mapped the landscape of social work in Aalst through conversations with numerous social workers. Their testimonies painted a layered picture of the local field, in which broader societal trends – such as marketization, privatization, and the dismantling of social structures – are clearly present. What is happening elsewhere in Belgium is also taking place on the streets of Aalst.

They heard how local organizations are disappearing or weakening due to political decisions and internal competition, and how social workers experience the daily consequences of policies that leave less and less room for structural care and solidarity. Terms like “erosion,” “fragmentation,” and “dismantling” are not abstract concepts here, but lived realities.

These words became the inspiration for a new, hopeful vocabulary. By twisting existing terms into new ones – such as “filling erosion” (vulholling), “de-thinning” (ontschraling), and “re-deposition” (aankalving) – Elien created a language that makes space for imagination and resilience. The words were cast into candles, whose flames symbolize the possibility of a different future.

In the second phase of the project, Elien joined forces with a dedicated group of social workers from various organizations in the region. Together, they aim to strengthen civil society in the Dender region. Their approach is rooted in the neighborhood itself: through conversations with residents and organizations, they explore sources of pride, concerns, and local needs.

The first neighborhood where they are active is the Right Bank (Rechteroever) in Aalst. There, they took to the streets with the question: “If we were to make a travel guide for this neighborhood, what absolutely needs to be included?” The answers they collected form the basis for a neighborhood portrait that not only reveals what lives in the area but also offers concrete tools to help rebuild the social fabric.

This project is not a conclusion, but an invitation to continue building a just and caring society – from the ground up and together.