Lokaal Signaal, Enhancing Local Social Policy through Fieldworker Insights
Lokaal Signaal, Enhancing Local Social Policy through Fieldworker Insights
VVSG (Vlaamse Vereniging voor Steden en Gemeenten)
A digital platform enabling first-line professionals to report and address social challenges in their communities
Lokaal Signaal is an initiative aimed at strengthening local social policy by effectively capturing and utilizing insights from first-line professionals such as social workers, teachers, nurses, and volunteers. These individuals, often referred to as the “eyes and ears” of their communities, are in direct contact with vulnerable citizens and are well-positioned to identify recurring social issues.
The project provides these professionals with a user-friendly digital tool to report observed challenges, which are then aggregated and analyzed by local authorities and social organizations. This collaborative approach ensures that the insights lead to informed, timely interventions and the development of targeted actions to address systemic problems.
The project is also nominated for the Innovation Delivery Award at the European Social Services Awards, highlighting its potential impact on local social policy.
Characteristics of innovation
Location
Flanders, Belgium
Partners / Funders
VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship), Tree Company
Genesis
Lokaal Signaal was developed as part of the Flemish government’s Programma Innovatieve Overheidsopdrachten (PIO), which supports the creation of innovative solutions for public sector challenges. The project was initiated by VVSG in collaboration with various stakeholders, including local municipalities and social organizations, to address the need for a systematic approach to capturing and acting upon insights from first-line professionals.
Implementation Level
The initiative is currently in its pilot phase, with nine municipalities actively participating: Bornem, Dendermonde, Eeklo, Gent, Kortrijk, Mortsel, Oud-Turnhout, Roeselare, and Sint-Niklaas. These municipalities are working together to refine the platform and its processes, aiming for a broader implementation in the future.
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