Waasland
(Waasland)
Details
- National LAG Code
- BE036
- Spoken languages
- Dutch, Englisch, Französisch
- Main Fund
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
- Main Programme
- CAP Strategic Plan - Belgium (Flanders)
- Number of LAG staff
- 1.0
Physical & demographic characteristics of LAG area
The LEADER region "Waasland" consists of 7 municipalities in the province of East-Flanders, Belgium. This rural area is situated between the metropolitan areas of Ghent and Antwerp and their ports (North Sea Port and the Port of Antwerp). To the north, it borders the Netherlands.
The area mostly has smaller muncipalities and villages, with 7.000 to 20.000 inhabitants. Demographically, the area faces increasing ageing pressure, like most area's in Flanders.
The region is mainly flat, with a sandy soil. Water - and especially salty water - is an important theme in this area. Several municipalities lie within the newly recognised national park "Scheldevallei", around the river "Schelde". The valley of the Schelde is part of the Natura 2000 habitat area.
- Decision-making body's entities number
- 21 entities
- We cover
- 169 250 people
- Our territory is
- 495.35 km²
- We operate in
- 10 municipalities
Waasmunster, Lochristi, Moerbeke (Gent), Wachtebeke, Kruibeke, Lokeren, Sint-Gillis-Waas, Sint-Niklaas (Sint-Niklaas), Stekene, Temse
LAG strategy
Key Themes of LAG Strategy
Goals in the development strategy of the region of Waasland
1. Agriculture is economically profitable and ecologically sustainable
- Encourage sustainable agricultural diversification
- Stimulate profitable valorisation and processing of biomass residues
- Experiment with innovative, sustainable (circular) production and processing techniques and/or revenue models
2. The landscape is climate resilient and enhances biodiversity and corresponding ecosystems
- Invest in the development of landscape in function of climate adaptation and mitigation and protect biodiversity
- Invest in the quality of the integral soil and water system
3. The villages offer a high quality of life and focus on the future, with respect for their heritage
- Future-proof and qualitative meeting places, that connect with the surrounding landscape
- Activities, events and projects that strengthen the local community
- Smart transition of municipalities (smart villages)
Themes linked to LAG Strategy
Themes of interest in CLLD cooperation
Contacts
Main contact
Cooperation contact
- Machteld Boussemaere
- machteld.boussemaere@oost-vlaanderen.be