Is Flanders ready to protect its heritage in the event of a large-scale disaster, such as the flash floods that severely affected the south of the country in July 2021? Can Flanders respond efficiently and in a coordinated manner?
In June 2023, the project “Policy preparatory research toward a disaster strategy for heritage in Flanders and the bilingual Brussels-Capital Region” was launched (2023-2025), a collaboration between the Flemish Department of Culture, Youth and Media (DJCM), the Flanders Heritage Agency (OE), the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA), FARO-Flemish Institution for Cultural Heritage and Blue Shield Belgium.
Collaborating with partners is one of the most important strategic policy areas of the Blue Shield Belgium. The research project offered our non-profit association the opportunity to partner up with the DCJM, OE, KIK-IRPA and FARO, delving into the theme of a disaster strategy for heritage in Flanders, a subject that is closely linked to our core mission: the protection of heritage in crisis.
The knowledge and experience that Blue Shield Belgium had gained during and after the severe floods in the Meuse basin in 2021 were certainly an important reason why our cooperation was requested. Thanks to subsidies from the Walloon Region and the French-speaking community, Blue Shield Belgium was able to recruit an assistant manager, for its permanent secretariat for the first time in its history, in 2023. This person was able to contribute to all aspects of the project.
The importance of research into policy preparation measures to ensure preparedness for disasters cannot be overestimated. Gathering knowledge about the situation on the ground, identifying bottlenecks, researching the response to recent disasters and practical exercises, and formulating recommendations are just some of the topics that have sharpened and expanded the expertise of Blue Shield Belgium through this research project.
The following four concrete strategic policy recommendations are primarily aimed at the Flemish government, but also at other governments and the broader heritage sector:
- The full integration of heritage into existing crisis structures at municipal, provincial and federal level.
- The development and implementation of an operational risk structure for heritage actors.
- Strengthening the risk culture and resilience of the heritage sector.
- The provision of adequate resources to achieve these goals.
Throughout the two years of research, we have already communicated the progress of the research through digital information sessions, our newsletters, and a presentation at a study afternoon as part of the International Volunteer Day (2024). Blue Shield Belgium intends to share the results of this research widely with all partners and interested parties.
- Beyl, J., Boschloos, V., De Bruyn, E., Project beleidsvoorbereidend onderzoek met het oog op een rampenstrategie voor erfgoed in Vlaanderen en het tweetalig gebied Brussel–Hoofdstad, Brussel: Department Cultuur, Jeugd en Media, 2025; Open Access publication
- Beyl, J., Naar een Vlaamse rampenstrategie voor erfgoed: hoever staat het onderzoek?, FARO blog, October 2024.
- KIK-IRPA, Publicatie van het eindrapport van het Rampenstrategie-project (2023-2025), October 2025.
