Environment minister invests in green playgrounds
Joke Schauvliege is making €100,000 available to create more nature-friendly playgrounds to encourage children to spend more time outside
Important for development
Recent research from the University of Leuven and the non-profit organisation Kind & Samenleving (Child & Society) has showed that children today spend half as much time playing outside as children did in the 1980s.
Playing outside is very important for physical and social development, according to researchers, but school playgrounds often don’t inspire children to stay outside because they are dull and heavily paved. Schauvliege wants to see more grass, bushes, swings and tree houses on the grounds of Flemish schools.
Parent councils at schools can submit proposals for projects until the middle of December. The 25 most inventive and nature-friendly projects will each receive €4,000. KBC bank is also providing €1,000 in funding, per project, for professional guidance. Schools that open their new playgrounds outside of school hours and make them accessible for people with a disability will receive priority.
Photo: Ingimage
