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        <title><![CDATA[Flemish Parliament · OpenDemocratie]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/feed/flemish-parliament.xml]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Bills and political choices in plain language. Vote anonymously and compare with parliament.]]></description>
        <language>en-BE</language>
        <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:36:06 +0000</pubDate>

                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Call for transparency on budget cuts and advertising plans at VRT]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/151</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal asks the Flemish Government for full clarity regarding agreements on budget cuts at public broadcaster VRT. This mainly concerns the Flemish government, VRT staff, and other media companies in Flanders. The proposal was immediately withdrawn, meaning nothing changes for you as a viewer or listener at this time.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to shift funds towards fixing dangerous Flemish cycle paths]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/150</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal asks the Flemish Government to cancel funding for a new Scheldt bridge and regional airports. That money would instead be used to upgrade over 2,600 kilometres of unsafe cycle paths along regional roads. Cyclists across Flanders would notice dangerous routes being renovated more quickly. Conversely, travellers and projects linked to the Antwerp bridge and regional airports would lose their planned public funding. For you, this means your cycling route along busy roads could become safer and better separated from car traffic. The goal is to reduce the number of serious bike accidents.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to postpone and review cultural budget cuts in Flanders]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/144</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal calls for postponing planned cultural budget cuts to debate them in parliament first. The authors want to spare cultural heritage and instead make larger cuts to socio-cultural adult education. This mainly impacts museums, archives, and heritage libraries on the one hand, and subsidized socio-cultural organizations on the other. Nothing changes for you right now. If adopted, historical collections would receive better protection, but activities offered by certain civic associations might be scaled back.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Provincial councils will be able to replace executive members more quickly]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/143</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The provincial council will be able to remove provincial deputies or council leaders, provided a successor is proposed immediately. This replaces the old, slow procedure that required mediation by the Flemish government. Provincial council members and provincial executives will notice this directly in how political disputes are handled. The provincial governor cannot be dismissed through this mechanism. For you, this ensures that political gridlock in your province can be resolved much faster. As a result, public projects and administration are less likely to stall for months.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for VRT not to take part in Eurovision 2027]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/148</link>
                <description><![CDATA[This proposal asks the Flemish Government to urge broadcaster VRT not to participate in Eurovision 2027 and not to broadcast it as long as Israel takes part. This mainly affects public broadcaster VRT, potential Belgian contestants, and the Flemish Government. If VRT follows this advice, you will not see a Belgian contestant at Eurovision in 2027 and you will not be able to watch the show on VRT.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Support requested for Gaza students to study in Flanders]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/149</link>
                <description><![CDATA[This proposal asks the Flemish Government to urge federal authorities for a safe evacuation and smoother visa procedures for selected students from Gaza. Flemish institutions should also temporarily protect their study spots and scholarships. Palestinian students from Gaza who were granted an admission or scholarship, and the Flemish colleges and universities preparing to welcome them. Nothing changes directly for your daily life, but the initiative aims to prevent selected students from losing their educational opportunities in Flanders due to the war.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal against introducing a road vignette in Flanders]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/142</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Rejected on 15 July 2026. This proposal asks the Flemish Government to definitively drop plans to introduce a road vignette. It is addressed to the Flemish Government and concerns all drivers in Flanders. If adopted, no road vignette will be introduced, meaning you will not face additional costs to drive.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:04:12 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to scrap the planned Flemish road vignette]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/141</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Rejected on 15 July 2026. The proposal asks the Flemish Government to abandon the planned digital road vignette for passenger cars. This affects motorists in Flanders and organizations that receive government subsidies. You would not have to buy a vignette, as the government would replace the revenue with cuts to subsidies.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:03:37 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flanders approves updated partnership agreement between the EU and Uzbekistan]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/155</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 21 October 2026. This decree approves a modernized agreement that strengthens cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan on trade, democracy, energy, and security. It mainly affects companies trading with or investing in Uzbekistan, as well as public authorities involved in international cooperation. It brings no immediate changes to your daily life, but it supports stable trade conditions and international commitments to peace and human rights.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:35:22 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flemish approval for reforms of the African Development Fund]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/156</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 21 October 2026. Flanders approves the founding agreement and recent amendments to the African Development Fund, allowing the fund to borrow money on international capital markets to finance development projects. This mainly affects the fund itself and African partner countries, which will gain access to more resources for infrastructure, education, and healthcare. For your daily life, this brings no direct change, but it enables Flanders to support international development aid through more efficient financing.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:36:06 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flemish approval of the modernized partnership agreement between the EU and Chile]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/154</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 21 October 2026. Flanders approves an updated agreement between the European Union and Chile. This treaty makes trade and investment easier while strengthening cooperation on climate action, human rights, and raw materials. Businesses trading or investing between Flanders and Chile will benefit from simplified rules and the removal of customs duties. Public authorities and civil society groups are also involved in the partnership. You will not notice an immediate change in your daily life. However, the agreement can ensure smoother access to Chilean products and critical raw materials, such as those used for batteries.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:34:37 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Updated Brussels school priority rules and postponed special education changes]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/140</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 15 July 2026. The proposal clarifies that parents in Brussels must prove all four language skills at B2 level for enrollment priority, delays new special education enrollment rules by two years, and provides extra funding for the B-stream. This affects parents enrolling children in Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels, special education schools, and secondary schools taking on unexpected extra B-stream pupils. If you want to use the priority system in Brussels, a brief oral test is no longer enough; you will need to prove reading and writing skills in Dutch as well.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:59:42 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Adjustment of the Children's Rights Commissioner's salary]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/138</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 15 July 2026. The salary of the Children's Rights Commissioner is raised to match the pay scale of the Flemish Ombudsman. This proposal only directly affects the remuneration of the Children's Rights Commissioner. For you as a citizen, nothing changes in practice; the services and functioning of the office remain the same.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Tackling long border control queues at Brussels Airport]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/134</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Flemish MPs are urging the Flemish Government to press federal authorities for more police staff and to allow travellers from low-risk non-EU countries to use automatic e-gates. This primarily affects passengers travelling to and from outside the Schengen area, airport police officers, and Brussels Airport itself. If approved, you would face shorter waiting times at passport control and a reduced risk of missing your flight.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for an expense allowance for newly graduated nurses]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/133</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal asks the Flemish Government to grant a one-time allowance to newly graduated nursing bachelors once again and to establish a permanent arrangement. This is aimed at students who have just completed their four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. If approved by the government, you will receive an allowance as a recent nursing graduate to help offset the costs of your fourth year of study.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Exception for relocating contaminated water and sediment during construction]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/153</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 21 October 2026. Flanders is adopting an EU exception allowing contaminated groundwater or sediment to be relocated under strict conditions, provided there is no net increase in overall pollution. Construction firms, utilities, and authorities can more easily secure permits for projects that require pumping away water, such as housing, sewerage, or roadworks. Public works and building projects in your area are less likely to stall, while drinking water reserves remain strictly shielded from any additional pollution risks.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:33:45 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for rules and transparency on temporary Flemish minister replacements]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/122</link>
                <description><![CDATA[This proposal calls on the Flemish Government to stop adding extra temporary ministers and demands full transparency on their remuneration. The proposal is directed at the Flemish Government and sets clearer rules for how ministers can temporarily replace each other in the future. For you, this brings greater clarity about government operations and how public money is spent on political offices.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Clearer rules for grants supporting internships at international organisations]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/152</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 21 October 2026. The Flemish Government is enshrining the rules and conditions for internship grants at multilateral organisations into a new decree. It also formally sets out language requirements and data privacy standards. This applies to individuals up to 34 years old holding a Flemish qualification who want to do an internship at an approved international organisation. If you meet the criteria, you can receive funding to help cover your travel, accommodation, and living expenses during your internship.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:32:52 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to better safeguard peaceful protests in Flanders]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/123</link>
                <description><![CDATA[This proposal asks the Flemish Government to create a clear framework to better protect and facilitate peaceful demonstrations. It affects the Flemish authorities, local municipalities, police zones, and anyone who organises or takes part in public actions. You will get easier access to clear information about your rights, and public authorities will face stricter limits when banning or sanctioning peaceful gatherings.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Volunteer respite sitters may now also accompany care recipients outside]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/137</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 15 July 2026. Volunteers from respite sitting services will legally be allowed to provide company and supervision not only at home, but also during activities outside. This affects care-dependent individuals, their informal caregivers, and volunteers of Flemish sitting services. If you rely on this care, a volunteer will now be able to accompany you clearly and safely to local activities, cafes, or restaurants.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:57:40 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for debate and caution regarding the introduction of a digital euro]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/114</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The Flemish Parliament asks the Flemish Government to highlight the potential risks of a digital euro for citizens' privacy and freedom. It calls for a broad public debate before final European decisions are made. The request is directed at the Flemish Government, which should convey this position to the federal government and European institutions. For you, nothing changes right now regarding how you pay, but the proposal aims to prevent a future digital currency from reducing your privacy or controlling your spending.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for a more open approach to air conditioning in buildings]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/113</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal asks the Flemish Government to stop discouraging air conditioning and active cooling by default in its heat and climate policies. This mainly affects vulnerable individuals, schools, hospitals, care homes, and local authorities that draft heat action plans. If adopted, policy may more readily support the use of energy-efficient cooling so you can keep buildings safe and comfortable during heatwaves.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to enforce bilingual services by Bpost in Brussels]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/147</link>
                <description><![CDATA[This proposal asks the Flemish Government to urge the federal government to strictly monitor bilingual postal services in Brussels. It also calls for clear language rules and financial penalties in the next management contract with Bpost. This mainly affects Bpost and its staff in Brussels, as well as the authorities negotiating the management agreements. If implemented, you should be able to receive postal services smoothly in Dutch at Brussels post offices and during mail delivery.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Alignment of Flemish legislation with the new Criminal Code]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/136</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 15 July 2026. Flemish laws covering justice, local administration, and elections are technically updated to match the numbering and penalty levels of the new federal Criminal Code. This adjustment mainly affects judges, lawyers, and local authorities who apply these legal texts. Nothing changes for you in practice: the underlying rules and the severity of penalties remain the same.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:54:58 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flemish media rules updated to align with EU regulations on advertising and AI]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/145</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 7 October 2026. The Flemish Media Decree is being aligned with new European rules on media freedom, political advertising, and artificial intelligence (AI). The Flemish media regulator (VRM) receives additional powers to monitor compliance. Media companies, advertisers, and online creators must clearly disclose who owns them, who pays for political ads, and whether content was generated using AI. You will more easily recognise whether a message is political advertising and whether a video or image was altered by AI. This protects you better against manipulation and helps ensure more trustworthy news.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:24:23 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flemish pilot project launches pioneer schools for more inclusive education]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/135</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 15 July 2026. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, regular and special schools, student guidance centres, and learning support centres can team up in pioneer schools so students learn together. This directly affects participating schools, teachers, support staff, and primary and secondary students alongside their parents. If your child needs extra help at a pioneer school, support can be provided much faster and more flexibly without requiring a formal certificate beforehand.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:53:56 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to extend the abortion time limit to eighteen weeks]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/108</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Flemish lawmakers are asking the federal government to amend the law to allow abortions up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. This affects women dealing with unwanted pregnancies as well as healthcare providers involved in abortion care. If the federal law is changed, you will no longer have to travel abroad for care in cases of a later abortion.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Aligning Flemish youth justice rules with the new federal Criminal Code]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/130</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. Flemish youth justice legislation is updated to reflect the new federal Criminal Code, ensuring serious crimes still trigger the appropriate youth justice measures. This affects young people suspected of committing offences, youth judges, specialised lawyers, and youth welfare services in Flanders. Youth judges keep clear legal options to impose secure placements for serious offences, while lighter cases follow alternative supervision pathways.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:13:52 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to reduce Flemish state subsidies and corporate holdings]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/102</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal asks the Flemish Government to stop economic subsidies and sell its shares in businesses outside its core responsibilities. This primarily impacts the Flemish government and companies relying on public funding or state investments. For you, this means tax money will focus on core public tasks and sales revenues will be prioritized to pay off public debt.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for strict bootcamps for serious juvenile offenders]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/103</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Lawmakers propose studying whether strict bootcamps can be created for young people committing serious offences. The measure targets repeat juvenile offenders and minors involved in severe group violence. Nothing changes for you right now; parliament is first asking the Flemish Government to prepare a pilot project.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flanders updates environmental rules following new European industrial emissions directive]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/129</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. The statutory environmental audit is replaced by an environmental management system, and odour is now officially recognized as pollution. Industrial facilities, livestock farms, and environmental coordinators will see updated operational obligations and simplified approval procedures. Health organizations gain a formal voice in environmental permits, providing better protection for your living environment against nuisance and industrial emissions.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:12:31 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal for better protection and a new status for au pairs]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/100</link>
                <description><![CDATA[The proposal asks the Flemish Government to urge the federal government to grant au pairs official employment status, similar to domestic staff. This affects host families, au pairs, and placement agencies in Flanders. Until a new status is established, no new work permits would be issued; after that, placements would only happen through accredited agencies.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flanders updates rules to speed up high-speed internet rollout]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/119</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 1 July 2026. Flanders is updating regulations on road and utility works to make deploying high-speed internet faster and cheaper. Utility firms, telecom providers, and local councils must better coordinate works, including above-ground projects, using the GIPOD platform. Streets will be dug up less often, reducing traffic disruption for you and speeding up your access to ultra-fast internet.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:27:05 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Updated school allowance rules for one-semester seventh-year programmes]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/112</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 24 June 2026. School allowance rules are adjusted so that students completing a shortened one-semester seventh-year programme do not lose their benefit. This affects secondary school students in labour-market-oriented seventh-year tracks and their families. If you graduate after one semester, you keep your allowance retroactively, but starting in school year 2026–2027 the amount will be halved to match your study duration.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:09:08 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Transition to a single public payer for Flemish child benefits]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/131</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. Flanders is beginning a transition towards a single public agency paying out the Groeipakket (child benefits), with all current payers using a single name and banned from marketing. This proposal affects families with children and the current private and public child benefit paying agencies. You will keep receiving your payments without interruption, but you will no longer be able to switch payers and all communications will use the name 'Vlaams Groeipakket'.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:16:49 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Adjustment of the Flemish Government's revenue budget for 2026]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/124</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. The Flemish Government is updating its estimated revenues and planned borrowings for the 2026 budget year. This mainly affects Flemish ministries, public services, and dedicated funds for education, road safety, and employment. Nothing changes directly for you in daily life; this is an internal administrative rebalancing of public finances.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:55:07 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Adjustment of the Flemish Community expenditure budget for 2026]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/125</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. The Flemish Government is officially adjusting its planned spending and grants across multiple policy areas for the 2026 budget year. This directly affects Flemish public agencies, schools, healthcare institutions, public transport, and various subsidized organizations. In concrete terms for you, it ensures ongoing funding for public services, schools, healthcare facilities, and home-renovation loans.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:56:13 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Adjustments to the 2026 Flemish regional budget]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/126</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. Flanders is adjusting rules and spending, notably regarding education, budget timetables, and environmental water coding. The measures mainly impact schools, higher education institutions, universities, and students in adult Dutch language courses. For you, this translates into targeted language support for students and new medical programs, but also budget cuts to adult language classes.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:03:31 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Fast-track permits for defence and military roads during crises]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/118</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 1 July 2026. During defence-related crises, weapons production sites, storage facilities, and military roads can be built or adapted through a simplified procedure without standard permits. Defence industry companies, public authorities, and residents living near the affected sites or roads will notice the changes. You might see military infrastructure or roadworks built near you more quickly without the usual public consultation or objection procedures, though sites must generally be restored after the crisis.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:25:45 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to align Dutch language classes for parents and children]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/132</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. The parliament asks the Flemish Government to launch pilot projects linking primary schools and adult education to better coordinate Dutch lessons. This impacts non-native speaking parents, their schoolchildren, and educators in primary and adult education. In practice, parents can learn Dutch at or near their child's school, focusing on school communications, meetings, and homework support.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:17:57 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Dedicated school and improved education for youth in community institutions]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/117</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 1 July 2026. A single, dedicated school is established for Flemish youth detention facilities, backed by extra funding and its own leadership. Teaching and support staff transition to the formal education statute, providing detained youth with tailored learning paths. Young people in these institutions maintain their right to education, allowing them to continue their studies or obtain diplomas smoothly.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:23:11 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to improve and expand summer schools in Flanders]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/121</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 1 July 2026. The Flemish Parliament asks the government to raise the quality of summer schools and streamline their organization. This affects school-aged children, their parents, teachers, and local authorities or organizations running summer schools. If implemented, your child will receive higher-quality support during the summer break, with a stronger focus on Dutch and fewer unused spots.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:28:12 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to protect agricultural land from non-agricultural developments]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/87</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Parliament asks the Flemish Government to tighten the rules on converting farms into non-agricultural homes and to limit expanding gardens into agricultural land. This affects retiring and starting farmers, owners of rural agricultural buildings, and countryside residents. It will become harder to expand an old farm as a private residence or turn farmland into lawns and horse paddocks, while active agricultural reuse and the demolition of obsolete barns will be encouraged.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flanders updates radio rules and prepares switch to digital broadcasting]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/128</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 8 July 2026. Flanders is updating its radio broadcasting rules, introducing new DAB+ digital licences, and laying the groundwork for an eventual transition from FM to digital. The changes primarily affect national, network, and local radio stations broadcasting over the airwaves. You will eventually gain access to a broader variety of digital radio stations, while existing FM broadcasts remain available for now.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:10:27 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Updating Flemish legislation following the merger of government departments]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/110</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 24 June 2026. Flemish legislation is being updated to reflect the earlier merger of various government departments for work, economy, science, and agriculture. This mainly affects Flemish public administration, advisory councils like SERV, and the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium. For you as a citizen, nothing changes in daily life; these are purely administrative and technical name updates.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:07:09 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Flanders updates regulations on trade in weapons and military goods]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/127</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 15 July 2026. Flanders is updating its Arms Trade Decree to align with European Union standards and reduce administrative burdens. This mainly affects defence industry companies, government agencies, and traders of civilian firearms. For you as an ordinary citizen, nothing changes in daily life, but the rules aim to improve security and impose tougher penalties on violations.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:50:34 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Adjustments to Flemish education rules through Education Decree XXXVI]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/96</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 3 June 2026. This proposal introduces a series of annual changes and updates to the legislation governing Flemish education. Schools, teachers, school boards, and support staff will directly notice these updated rules in their daily operations. For you and your children, this means adapted rules and procedures at school.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:10:17 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Updates to Flemish employment, social inspection, and vocational training rules]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/106</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 17 June 2026. This proposal updates rules concerning social inspection, digital service vouchers, VDAB governance, and dual vocational learning. It mainly affects employers, service voucher companies, students in vocational tracks, and inspection authorities. For you, it ensures better oversight against fraud with service vouchers and a clearer structure for learning in the workplace.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:00:07 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Stronger consumer protection and contract choice in the Flemish energy market]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/116</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 1 July 2026. Flanders updates its energy regulations following EU rules, requiring large suppliers to offer fixed-price contracts and strengthening the emergency supplier framework. This affects energy consumers in Flanders, particularly households and businesses seeking a new contract or facing a supplier bankruptcy. You gain the right to choose a fixed-rate contract of at least one year and can participate in energy sharing more easily regardless of your contract type.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:22:12 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Proposal to tackle vacancies and improve protection in assisted living]]></title>
                <link>https://be.opendemocratie.eu/en/proposals/120</link>
                <description><![CDATA[Passed on 1 July 2026. Parliament calls on the Flemish Government to curb vacancies in assisted living facilities, clarify prices, and counter unfair contract terms. This proposal impacts elderly citizens, prospective residents, apartment owners, and facility management operators. You gain clear visibility into true costs, stronger legal safeguards against unfair contracts, and potential access to assisted living for broader groups.]]></description>
                <author><![CDATA[OpenDemocratie]]></author>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:27:35 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <category>Flemish Parliament</category>
                            </item>
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