Schaerbeek, Belgium

Schaerbeek

Through GreenDEMO, Schaerbeek aims to strengthen its transversal governance capacities and embed a more structured project management culture across departments. The municipality seeks to translate its strategic ambitions, such as climate adaptation, citizen participation, and digital innovation, into effective, coherent and sustainable practices. By engaging with peer cities, Schaerbeek hopes to co-develop practical governance tools, foster organizational learning, and accelerate the institutionalization of democratic innovation, enabling the administration to better navigate complex urban challenges and deliver impactful public policies for its residents.

Schaerbeek is a richly diverse and architecturally vibrant municipality with a strong local identity that is both connected to and distinct from Brussels. It boasts a dense network of associations and a culture of solidarity among citizens. However, this diversity does not always translate into social cohesion, and the city has recently navigated an unprecedented political vacuum—six months without a regional or municipal government—which has deepened public mistrust. Schaerbeek envisions a more agile, cooperative, and resilient administration, capable of managing crises and fostering stronger collaboration between citizens and public authorities.

The city faces a complex mix of challenges, including mobility issues, climate transition, insecurity, immigration, drug trafficking, and prostitution—many of which are concentrated in the Northern district, where governance is particularly fragmented. Budget constraints and staffing shortages hinder direct citizen engagement, and there is a general lack of trust in public administration. Internally, the climate plan launched in 2022 struggles to gain traction across departments due to the absence of a formal steering group. The digital divide further complicates outreach, especially among lower-income groups, highlighting the need for more in-person engagement.

Schaerbeek is working toward a more transversal and cooperative administrative culture, with the Grants Department aiming to support all city-led projects. GreenDEMO will be introduced through a newly formed Local Action Group and pitched across departments to build internal momentum. The initiative supports Schaerbeek’s goals of enhancing social cohesion, strengthening ties between citizens and administration, and improving project management. Peer learning with other cities is key, particularly around governance innovation and internal processes. GreenDEMO helps Schaerbeek take steady, incremental steps toward a more inclusive and democratic urban future—despite the impatience to see rapid change.

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