In 2025, Mechelen holds the title of European Volunteering Capital – an honour that is not only a recognition, but also a catalyst for change. As a medium-sized city (almost 90,000 inhabitants) in the heart of Belgium, we take pride in our warm and inclusive community. But this title brought something extra: new energy, strengthened collaboration, and a renewed appreciation for the volunteer engagement that has supported our city for years.

The title of European Volunteering Capital is awarded by the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV) through an annual competition that invites cities across Europe to showcase their vision and policies on volunteering. For Mechelen, participating in this competition was an opportunity to highlight our strengths, but also to learn from other European cities and sharpen our ambitions for the future. 

It was a great honour when, at the end of 2023 in Trondheim, Norway – the European Volunteering Capital at the time – we were announced as the 2025 titleholder. Being awarded was a recognition of our long-standing commitment and a motivation for our policy makers to continue building an inclusive, caring city together with our engaged inhabitants.

Co-creation and recognition

In Mechelen, several thousand volunteer organizations are active – from neighbourhood initiatives to social projects, from sports clubs to cultural associations. Together, they form a network of solidarity that makes our city liveable, resilient, and connected. The recognition as European Volunteering Capital was therefore an acknowledgement for all volunteers – for their dedication, creativity, and perseverance. One in five inhabitants is a volunteer. They are a buddy for foreign-language newcomers, train children at circus school, give free driving lessons to vulnerable youth or help build local bicycle policies. And so on. 

We co-created our program for 2025 with those organisations and their volunteers. More than 1,000 organisations were sent an online survey to complete. We visited all of Mechelen’s advisory boards where volunteers are active, listened to their stories and aspirations, and built an action plan that combined both their and our own views on volunteering.

Volunteers at the centre stage

As European Volunteering Capital, we organized a series of meaningful events to appreciate volunteers. The celebratory year kicked off with an opening ceremony where local associations and engaged volunteers took centre stage. Shortly after, a special edition of the annual New Year’s reception was held on the main square, where citizens gathered to celebrate volunteers. For the occasion, students from the city conservatory wrote a special volunteer-song.

During the Week of the Volunteer in March, Mechelen’s voluntary work was highlighted through a diverse programme – with some organisations welcoming the Minister of Culture, responsible for the coordinated Flemish volunteer policy, and a visit from the Belgian King and Queen. The royal pair was incredibly proud that a Belgian city was awarded this valuable title.

The title also enables us to exchange experiences and best practices with professionals from all over Europe. From 1 until 4 April, Mechelen hosted the spring congress of the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), bringing together policymakers, researchers, and volunteer organisations from across the EU. A true highlight was the Volunteers’ Festival in May – a vibrant two-day event in the city’s central park, featuring over 70 participating organisations, music performances, workshops, and information sessions – a celebration for and by volunteers.

Besides hosting events, we focus on individual, inspiring and inclusive volunteer stories in our monthly city magazine, on our social media and on our website, among others. In this way, for volunteer organizations, this year brings increased visibility and new opportunities for collaboration. 

Only the beginning

In the autumn, we will continue with a varied programme with a focus on volunteer work for young people, seniors and people with disabilities, but also on actual topics like digital inclusion. In this way, we pursue our goal: to make volunteer work possible for everyone. After the festive closing ceremony on 5 December – fittingly, the International Volunteer Day, we hope to see even more new networks emerge, innovative projects flourish, and greater civic engagement from those volunteering for the first time. The title not only offers recognition, but also a platform for volunteers to strengthen their impact.

Mechelen as European Volunteering Capital is not an endpoint, but a beginning. We continue to build a city where everyone counts and everyone can contribute – where every talent matters. Because volunteering is not a side note – it is at the heart of who we are.

Find out more about Mechelen as European Volunteering Capital 2025 on our website.