€60 million to help Brussels communes cope with population boom

The Brussels government will give €60 million to help communes invest in new facilities to respond to the city's population boom, it has been announced.

Brussels' population has grown from 1.1 to 1.2 million in little over a decade and is expected to reach 1.3 million before 2060.

To cope with the demographic boom, the Brussels region is inviting funding requests from each municipality for specific projects, which can range from land acquisition for new housing, to building creches, schools, sports, cultural facilities and playgrounds.

The €60 million fund can also contribute to renovating municipal buildings, improving the facilities for residents seeking administrative assistance from the commune.

The Brussels minister in charge of local authorities, Bernard Clerfayt, said municipalities faced major challenges in the near future, from sustainable development and energy transition to social cohesion, mobility and public safety.

Municipalities have until 30 September to submit their funding requests, which must be for projects that will be ordered no later than the end of 2022. The decisions on funding will be made no later than the end of October.