The Flemish Government has approved the ToTaalplan Nederlands voor Brussel, a comprehensive master plan designed to strengthen the position of the Dutch language in the Belgian capital.
Presented as the most ambitious language strategy in years, the plan focuses on education, public services, and cultural life while linking language acquisition to economic opportunities and social mobility.
Cieltje Van Achter, Flemish Minister for Brussels and Media (N-VA), who spearheaded the initiative, describes the project as both urgent and necessary.
“Learning Dutch in Brussels opens up doors. It provides opportunities, access to education, and jobs. In the capital, Dutch has been reduced to a minority position, one that must be actively defended if we are to guarantee equal rights and genuine integration,” she told The Brussels Times.
Schools at the Core of the Strategy
At the heart of the plan lies education. Currently, one in four children in Brussels attends a Dutch-speaking school, but many cannot practise the language at home.
This gap makes language acquisition fragile, according to Van Achter. “We want to bring children and their parents into contact with Dutch as early as possible and ensure they can complete their education in our language,” she said.
Dutch-speaking schools will be developed into community anchors, serving not only as educational institutions but also as centres of cultural and social life.
They will increasingly host after-school activities such as sports, music, and dance in Dutch, thereby reinforcing immersion beyond the classroom.
The Minister frames Dutch-language education as a “social elevator” that can propel Brussels’ youth towards more opportunities in both the city and Flanders, where the labour market is stronger.
Strengthening Dutch-Language Services
The ToTaalplan also focuses on improving Dutch-language services in Brussels’ municipalities, hospitals, police departments, and emergency services.
Despite Brussels’ legal status as a bilingual region, Dutch speakers often face obstacles in accessing services in their language. Van Achter argues that this undermines the principle of equal rights.
Institutions such as the Huis van het Nederlands Brussel already guide newcomers by assessing their language needs, recommending appropriate courses, and creating opportunities to practise Dutch in daily life. The plan seeks to enhance these services, making Dutch more visible and accessible in the capital’s public domain.
Language as a Gateway to Jobs
The link between language and economic opportunity is a recurring theme in the ToTaalplan. Brussels has one of the highest unemployment rates in Belgium—10.75% in 2023, nearly three times higher than Flanders. At the same time, labour shortages persist in crucial sectors such as healthcare, education, IT, and construction.
Language is a critical factor. Studies from Eurostat and Statbel reveal that the lack of proficiency in the host country’s languages is the biggest barrier newcomers face in finding employment.
“If you want to work in Brussels and certainly in Flanders, being bilingual in Dutch and French is almost a golden ticket. Add English, and you have a winning combination. But ignoring Dutch closes too many doors,” Van Achter stressed.
The ToTaalplan seeks to address this mismatch by aligning language training more closely with labour market needs. The aim is to equip jobseekers with sufficient Dutch proficiency to fill critical vacancies and integrate more fully into the economy.
Tackling Poverty and Inequality
Language skills also play a role in reducing poverty risks. Statbel figures show that the risk of poverty is lowest in Flanders (13.7%), higher in Wallonia (18.2%), and highest in Brussels (27.7%). The disparity reflects unequal access to better-paid, stable jobs—many of which require Dutch.
Average annual net taxable income in Brussels is €16,068 per capita, significantly below the Belgian average and 21% lower than in Flanders. By facilitating entry into the Flemish labour market, the government argues, Dutch proficiency can contribute to higher earnings and reduced inequality.
Expats and Integration
The plan is not only for Belgian residents. For expats arriving in Brussels—many of whom initially speak only English or French—Dutch offers an opportunity for deeper integration. Van Achter has explicitly invited internationals to embrace the language.
Yet she also acknowledges a common challenge: Flemish people often switch to French or English when dealing with non-native speakers, limiting immersion. Part of the strategy includes encouraging native Dutch speakers to persist in Dutch conversations, thereby reinforcing learning.
For expats, Dutch-language education ensures access to Flemish schools for their children and participation in Dutch-speaking cultural life. It also accelerates the process of acquiring Belgian citizenship, where language proficiency is a requirement.
A Politicised Issue?
While the ToTaalplan is framed in pragmatic terms—education, jobs, services—critics argue that it risks politicising an already sensitive issue. Belgium has long been divided along linguistic lines, with Dutch and French serving as markers of identity and power.
Some Francophones and newcomers perceive the strong emphasis on Dutch as a form of gatekeeping, tying access to opportunities with cultural belonging. Others suggest that in a city where English increasingly acts as a lingua franca, prioritising Dutch may alienate newcomers who are already struggling with French.
Van Achter rejects these criticisms. “This is not about excluding English or French. It’s about ensuring that Dutch, one of our country’s official languages, is not reduced to a decorative accessory. Every child who learns Dutch gains access to education in Flanders and more jobs in Brussels. Why would we deny them that?” she argued.
Beyond Politics
The plan is also notable for its institutional scope. For the first time, the Flemish Government, its administrations, and Flemish Brussels organisations are uniting under a single strategy for language promotion.
A steering group will coordinate efforts between the Huis van het Nederlands, the Flemish Community Commission, the Departments of Education and Care, and integration agencies.
Van Achter emphasises that the ToTaalplan is not a one-off announcement but a “living policy” designed to evolve. It will be regularly evaluated and adapted to meet changing needs.
A Symbolic and Practical Strategy
In many ways, the ToTaalplan carries both symbolic and practical weight. Symbolically, it represents Flanders’ commitment to maintaining Dutch as a living, working language in Brussels, rather than allowing it to slip into marginalisation. Practically, it aims to give Brussels residents—Belgians and internationals alike—better chances in education, employment, and integration.
“Learning Dutch is not just about speaking a language,” Van Achter concluded. “It is about opening doors, creating opportunities, and guaranteeing equal rights. That is what this plan is all about.”
At a time when Brussels faces economic challenges, social divides, and questions over its identity, the ToTaalplan Nederlands emerges as both a policy tool and a cultural statement—seeking to place Dutch at the heart of the capital’s future.
