Social resilience for urban revitalisation
In the European Union, small and medium-sized towns (SMSTs) form the backbone of many communities, home to approximately 24.2% of the population. However, these towns often face significant challenges, including post-industrial transitions, population decline, aging demographics, and the deterioration of the built environment. Without targeted, place-based interventions, SMSTs risk further decline, leaving their residents increasingly vulnerable.
Recognising this urgency, the Interreg Europe project INTERREVITA was launched to develop holistic, place-based solutions tailored to the needs of SMSTs. By fostering innovation and empowering communities, INTERREVITA aims to revitalise these towns, ensuring they remain dynamic, inclusive, and thriving places for people of all backgrounds.
A key example of this commitment to integrated and inclusive social development is RSL Op Post, an initiative in the City of Roeselare, Flanders, Belgium. Located in the old post building, RSL Op Post is a collaborative space that brings together multiple services and amenities, functioning as a one-stop shop to engage the local community and empower vulnerable citizens. Its guiding principle is simple but powerful: social resilience is built through participation.
RSL Op Post operates through a strong partnership of diverse organisations and associations with a social mission, each with a permanent presence in the building. Over 40 organisations collaborate within the hub, pooling financial and human resources to engage different target groups. They provide an interconnected network of support and services, including:
- Practical services: meeting room rentals, a coffee shop, and a library for baby equipment and toys
- Emergency assistance: a night shelter and a social grocery
- Developmental programmes: a thrift shop, digital literacy training, low-budget cooking workshops, employment support, and the Makers Lab, which provides access to 3D printers and laser cutters for creative problem-solving
By centralising essential services and opportunities for personal growth under one roof, RSL Op Post ensures that no one in Roeselare is left behind.
The impact of RSL Op Post
- Take120 visitors engage with its services daily, including 100 frequenting the thrift shop and 20 participating in structured activities
- In 2022 alone, the hub hosted 407 ‘meeting’ activities and 295 ‘making’ activities, fostering new ideas, relationships, and solutions
- The Makers Lab has empowered individuals to develop creative solutions using cutting-edge technology.
Bart Wenes, from the City of Roeselare, highlights that one of the main challenges in implementing RSL Op Post has been filtering and translating signals from the field - insights from citizens and local initiatives - into actionable policy. Ensuring that these signals effectively shape our approach requires continuous alignment with broader city strategies.
Another key aspect is refining RSL Op Post’s identity and enhancing its visibility within the city. A well-defined position strengthens its role as a recognisable and accessible hub for diverse stakeholders.
He emphasises that long-term sustainability depends on scaling up within the Social Circular Hub network is crucial, alongside maintaining a broad and inclusive audience - from vulnerable groups to alternative and creative entrepreneurs.
For other European towns, the key takeaway is to embed such initiatives structurally within city policies while allowing flexibility for grassroots innovation. Sustainable impact depends on clear governance and the ability to engage a wide range of community actors.
RSL Op Post highlights the importance of integrated solutions in addressing vulnerability in small- and medium-sized towns. By connecting essential services with opportunities for growth, it offers a sustainable, adaptable, and community-driven approach to resilience.
The initiative also underscores the crucial role of policymakers in enabling such ecosystems. Public authorities can play a transformative role in supporting grassroots initiatives, proving that when communities come together, no one gets left behind.
