Context

De Boomhut is a recognised non-profit organisation that supports people with disabilities and those distanced from the labour market. Through its social-economic model, it offers individuals the opportunity to grow personally and transition into regular employment.

A formerly abandoned train station has become a living laboratory for agro-social innovation. Through a public/social partnership, ‘Woppaaaa!’ connects people, especially those excluded from the labour market, to the short-chain food economy, offering real work experience in food preparation, hospitality and logistics. At the same time, it fosters intergenerational solidarity through elderly volunteers and mentoring.

Local farmers also face significant challenges in reaching customers. In the old train station, ‘Woppaaaa!’ provides a central location where farmers can sell their products via vending machines, with volunteers and young participants collecting goods directly from farms. This improves logistics, strengthens local supply chains and supports regional agriculture.

In recent years, the digitalisation of public services has excluded many vulnerable citizens. The closure of the Diksmuide train station building, since tickets are now sold exclusively online, symbolised this shift. While many can adapt, elderly people often struggle, creating a gap in access and inclusion. ‘Woppaaaa!’ responds by not only assisting them with digital tasks, but by transforming the abandoned station into a community space.

The project directly supports EU priorities around inclusive labour market access, fair transitions and rural resilience. It shows how rethinking spaces can spark systemic change, serving as a replicable model for similar rural and peri-urban areas across Europe, proving how social innovation can reconnect people, food and spaces.

Objectives

The main aim of the project was to support people with disabilities, empowering vulnerable individuals distanced from the labour market through personal coaching, consistent support and real-life work experience in food, logistics and hospitality.

In turn, the project hoped to strengthen local agriculture by collaborating with local partners and short-chain farmers, while helping young people to learn the full farm-to-fork cycle. It would offer a central sales point for local farmers through rentable vending machines at the station, regularly restocked by youngsters and volunteers who pick up fresh products directly from farms, ensuring visibility for short-chain agriculture and easy access for customers. This would bring together neighbours, commuters, elderly volunteers and young people, regardless of background or ability, all connected in a vibrant, welcoming meeting place that would combat social isolation.

Activities

The early stages of the project began in the first half of 2022, when De Boomhut started to build partnerships with ten local farmers for short-chain food supply. In the second half of the year and throughout 2023, negotiations were ongoing with the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS) to secure permits for the project and then to renovate the station building.

The official opening of the building and the launch of the project came on 8 October 2023, and was attended by media, partners and the wider community.

The daily operation of the project has been ongoing since November 2023. Work pathways have been created, with four people transitioning to regular employment, five to jobs within the social economy and another ten supported in finding jobs or occupations more adapted to their needs. Eight active volunteers have been engaged, while the partnerships with the farmers have led to the supply of over 350 short-chain products.

The second aspect of the project concerns help for people who previously used the train station to buy transport tickets and have difficulties buying tickets online. This was catered for with the launch of a buddy programme, which has gone on to help over 700 people with digital train ticketing.

A project of this nature requires ongoing publicity and awareness work. Those in charge set up a collaboration with a marketing expert to promote ‘Woppaaaa!’ products, and have been active on social media and via a newsletter, which now has over 2 000 subscribers. A flyer campaign was also implemented, and the project members engaged in outreach to local shops for partnerships. They also participated actively in local events, with the support of the Diksmuide municipality.

Vending spaces were also created in the station, which farmers can rent to sell their products centrally.

Gender equality

‘Woppaaaa!’ demonstrated a clear commitment to gender equality through its structural approach to inclusion and empowerment. The project was primarily led by women, the majority of whom were single mothers occupying key leadership positions across the participating organisations.

‘Woppaaaa!’ is a socially inclusive project that supports individuals, both women and men, who are excluded from the labour market. In total, 15 women (making up around half of those involved) were given individual feedback from A to Z. The project offers holistic, person-centred guidance from entry to reintegration in the labour market, with a dedicated team that supports participants throughout the entire process.

Generational Renewal

‘Woppaaaa!’ offered a supportive springboard for young people struggling in mainstream education and the labour market, including school-fatigued youth, early school-leavers and those excluded due to bullying or difficult home situations. Many came from special education or faced mental health and social challenges, and found at ‘Woppaaaa!’ a safe, non-judgmental space where they were valued and supported.

Young people engaged directly with local farmers, sourcing ingredients to prepare and sell meals, gaining hands-on experience in short-chain agriculture and food systems. Citizens – commuters, neighbours and passers-by – met these young people in a relaxed, positive setting, with this casual contact helping to normalise vulnerability and show that everyone needs help sometimes, breaking down the stigma around mental health and social support.

Main Results

The economic benefits were many and varied. The project empowers around 30 vulnerable individuals each year with tailored coaching and real work experience, as well as providing work pathways. In concrete terms, four people have transitioned to regular jobs, five to social economy jobs and ten to daycare pathways. The project itself has created two temporary jobs and 1.5 long-term jobs, providing employment opportunities for vulnerable groups. Two of those are from target groups, supporting inclusion in the labour market. Eight active volunteers have also been engaged, including retired professionals (former teachers, social workers and youth care specialists). The project has also partnered with ten farmers, supplying over 350 products. This supports the local economy, promoting short food chains and using fresh regional products.

Socially, 500 total users a year benefit from the support, coffee and meals for those in need that are provided by the project. Approximately 2 000 people are involved overall in the various aspects, fostering social inclusion and community participation. Many of them are those who have benefited from the buddy program, which has already helped some 700 people with digital train ticketing.

On a broader scale, the project encourages intergenerational cooperation between young people and elderly volunteers, creating mutual learning and social cohesion. Customised coaching and real work experience have been made available to people distanced from the labour market, including those with disabilities or autism.

Key lessons

Collaborating with the train station owner, local government, social organisations, farmers, and funding bodies was crucial, as it created a strong support system that leveraged each partner’s expertise and resources. The network fostered the integration of vulnerable groups, supported local agriculture and revitalised community spaces. It also built bridges between generations and sectors, ensuring shared ownership and long-term sustainability. An interconnected approach maximises impact by combining social innovation, economic inclusion and community development.

The project unlocked untapped potential in people distant from the labour market, who often face communication challenges and social barriers that exclude them from regular employment. Many find themselves in a difficult position — too capable for social benefits but not fully accepted in the workforce, leaving them unsupported. ‘Woppaaaa!’ was able to change this by offering individual coaching, group training focused on building trust and relationships with employers, and support to expand their social and professional networks.