This weekend, 20-year-old Nena Vanherle will cast her vote in the local elections, driven by a desire to see significant changes in her hometown of Wellen. Nena feels that her community lacks the vibrant, social atmosphere that youth need to thrive. With limited entertainment options and poor mobility options, she hopes the new council will prioritize creating spaces and opportunities for the younger generation. 

Wellen is a small town with just over 7,000 residents that boasts a tranquil, picturesque setting but offers little in the way of entertainment, especially for its younger citizens. According to Nena, the town is sorely lacking in places where young people can meet, socialize, and spend their time. “There’s not much going on for us”, she says, reflecting on the shortage of pubs, restaurants, and shops. “It feels like Wellen is more catered to older people or families. We need more spaces where we can feel like we belong.” 

Youth-friendly spaces are a priority 

She feels like her concerns resonate with a broader issue faced by many small towns across Belgium and Europe. As urban areas continue to grow and diversify, smaller towns like Wellen risk becoming stagnant. “I study in Leuven and I have a lot of friends coming from all over Europe. Many of them come from small towns just like Wellen. I often hear the same problems coming from them. This can lead to a vicious cycle where young people move to larger cities in search of better opportunities, leaving smaller towns with an aging population and even fewer resources to reinvest in amenities.” 

One of the key things Nena hopes to see from the next municipal council is an increase in common areas where young people can gather. “We don’t have a lot of public spaces or recreational spots for youth. A place to hang out, grab a drink, or simply spend time with friends would make a huge difference,” she explains. For her, these spaces could be something as simple as an outdoor park with benches and free Wi-Fi, or a local community center that hosts events and gatherings for the younger demographic. 

The struggles of poor mobility 

But it’s not just a lack of youth-friendly spaces that concerns Nena. She also points to the issue of mobility, specifically the limited bus connections to nearby towns. While Wellen enjoys relatively easy access to Hasselt, a bustling city just a 20-minute drive away, getting to neighboring towns like Tongeren, Borgloon, or Sint-Truiden is far more difficult. 

“The buses to Hasselt run frequently, which is great if you’re going to the city. But if you want to visit surrounding towns, it’s almost impossible without a car,” Nena laments. “There are hardly any direct bus routes to these places, and if you do take the bus, it can take hours to get somewhere that’s actually only 20 minutes away by car.” 

This lack of mobility can be particularly challenging for young people like Nena, who may not have access to a car and rely on public transportation to get around. “It makes it harder to explore other towns, meet new people, or even just go shopping or hang out. It feels like we’re stuck here,” she explains. 

What the future holds for Wellen 

As Nena prepares to vote, she’s hopeful that the new council will take steps to address these pressing issues. “I think it’s really important that they listen to us,” she says. “There’s so much potential here, but if things don’t change, more and more young people are just going to leave. I’d love to stay in Wellen, but only if it feels like the town is investing in us and our future.” 

Her wishlist for the future includes not only new pubs, restaurants, and shops, but also improved recreational spaces and a better public transport system that would allow young people to access surrounding towns with ease. “A town isn’t just for one generation,” Nena concludes. “It should be a place where everyone, from kids to young adults to the elderly, can feel at home and have access to the services they need.” 

As Nena votes this weekend, she does so with hope that her voice, and the voices of other young people in Wellen, will be heard. The future of small towns like hers depends on it.