The museum, aimed especially at children and young people, will receive a new learning centre for teachers, an Innovation and Challenge Centre for young people aged 14 to 18, and a mini-Flanders for children aged eight to 13.

The Flemish government last week gave the go-ahead to the funding package, which includes just over €3 million from the government, €2.7 million from the EU and over €1 million from Antwerp province. The work should be completed in 2013.