The fourth meeting of the Belgian Platform for Transformative Change took place on 23 October 2025 at Vrijplaats in Ghent. Organised by our partners from VITO, the gathering focused on exploring how learning spaces can serve as catalysts for societal transformation, providing a platform for reflection, exchange, and co-creation among participants from diverse institutions and backgrounds.

The session opened with an interactive exercise inviting participants to share what brought them to the meeting. Their reflections revealed a shared motivation to seek renewal, inspiration, and collaboration in navigating the complexities of transformative work. Participants expressed aspirations such as “gaining energy and renewal when facing obstacles within one’s organisation,” “finding a source of inspiration,” “being on the edge of the ordinary,” and “exploring synergies and collaboration across institutions.” These insights set a collective tone for the day - one grounded in curiosity, openness, and the pursuit of meaningful change.

The meeting continued with a presentation on the establishment and vision of Vrijplaats: a space dedicated to cultivating learning environments that equip participants with the skills and mindsets to address complex, real-world challenges. This was illustrated through the experience of DOkano, a non-profit organisation promoting environmental and climate awareness through education and recreation. Initially known for its free canoe trips that engage young people in cleaning Ghent’s waterways, DOkano exemplifies how community-driven initiatives can combine learning, action, and environmental stewardship.

Discussions highlighted both the potential and challenges of transformative learning spaces like Vrijplaats. Participants reflected on the importance of sustaining and scaling such initiatives while aligning them with broader institutional and societal contexts. The meeting emphasised that nurturing these spaces requires ongoing commitment, adaptability, and collaboration across sectors.

The session concluded with an open invitation to continue exploring potential synergies and to co-create new alliances that strengthen transformative change in practice. 

By fostering shared learning and translating insights into concrete action, the Belgian Platform for Transformative Change continues to contribute to SELINA’s broader mission of enhancing capacity for sustainability transformation across Europe.