OPEN UP THE CITY
Education
(1) In Brussels, with its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, embracing trilingualism and enhancing language learning in schools is essential. That's why I call for every student to be supported in the knowledge of at least three languages. (2) Aligning school holidays across Dutch- and French-speaking systems will improve coordination for families in our bilingual region. (3) Implementing dual learning, which combines practical and theoretical education, can better equip students for the job market by fostering adaptability and aligning with market demands, especially if the business sector supports it. (4) The Brussels premium for teachers is crucial; it compensates for their unique challenges, supporting a motivated workforce and enhancing educational quality.
Entrepreneurship
(1) Beyond being the political heart of institutions, Brussels is a vibrant entrepreurial center and an important capital for start-ups. Over the next five years, the focus will be on transforming Brussels' entrepreneurial landscape by harnessing the city's vast talent pool and energising the crucial sectors that drive the economy, including the small manifacturers. (2) I call for encouraging start-ups through supporting academic research and (3) offering financial incentives to companies that facilitate daycare for children, thereby killing two bids with one stone: our shortage in daycares and the activation rate. (4) Additionally, I call for breathing new life into neglected cultural buildings by linking them with entrepreneurs, further enhancing new business opportunities and encouraging more employement in the tourism and leasure sector. With Brussels' 184 nationalities, we are one of the most diverse cities in the world. Our citizens are our ambassadors for our entrepreneurial landscape in at least 184 countries - that is an opportunity for our capital to be represented in the entire world and one we shouldn't shy away from.
Housing
(1) The EPC-standards are currently not standardised for every Belgian region. Standardising them would mean that homes across Belgium would be subject to the same energy standards and therefore valued the same way. This is why the norms for Brussels should reflect those of Flanders, so that our Brussels homes can be valued equally. (2) The application process for renovation and building permits is currently much too complex and it is unclear whether projects are subject to the region or the commune. I call for the communes to take lead for all projects involving apartments and single-family houses, because the communes can asses the needs of citizens and neighborhoods better. (3) By 2033, 250,000 homes must undergo energy renovations, and by 2043, another 500,000 homes will need to be renovated in Brussels. It is therefore evident that we should protect the reduced tax of 6% on all renovations. (4) The mobility package offers a great incentive for housing costs, yet a very small percentage of companies have implemented it for their employees. I call for a fiscal incentive for companies who encourage the mobility package for housing so that we can encourage new Brusseleirs to stay in Brussels.
Day-to-Day
(1) Consolidating Brussels' six police zones into one enhances efficiency, coordination, and resource allocation across the region, leading to improved response times and crime management. (2) Another aspect of Brussels' day-to-day life is our mobility management. It is evident that our city needs to facilitate an infrastructure that allows everyone to move freely across the city. This also means reducing the amount of traffic and promoting public transport, biking and other alternative means of mobility. (3) Additionally I call for a more efficient trash pick-up system that is coherent among all Brussels communes and encourage the studies for alternative systems. (4) Lastly, our day-to-day is above all impacted by the cohesion amongst our communities and call for policies that promote cohesion instead of division.