In Roeselare (Belgium), a unique initiative is transforming neighbourhoods by building stronger local support networks. The Dialogue Maker is a full-time community facilitator who’s responsibility is to actively help residents both offline and online. He provides residents with information, support, and builds connections within the neighbourhood. This successful initiative has made it easier for locals to get in touch and to contribute to community life. The following article further describes the Dialogue Maker’s role and the positive impact he has already achieved!
The Belgian city of Roeselare has found a concrete way to bring residents closer together and strengthen community ties: the Dialogue Maker. This full-time community facilitator supports residents by building a local network and creating connections between neighbours. While the Dialogue Maker is physically present in the neighbourhood, riding a cargo bike through Krottegem, he also coordinates dialogue and interaction for residents online.
Thanks to the social neighbourhood network platform HOPLR in the neighbourhood Krottegem, inhabitants can get to know the neighbourhood better and can get in touch with their neighbours. Several activities and events are posted on the platform, such as a pétanque tournament, which brings neighbours together. As dialogue maker, I also work with the questions and needs posted on the platform, questions about for example the services of the city or digital tools.
What does the Dialogue Maker do?
The Dialogue Maker has four main roles: to inform, help, connect, and engage local residents.
- Inform by keeping residents up to date about activities or important changes (e.g. road works) in the neighbourhood.
- Help by supporting them in the use of digital tools, but also by combating loneliness through friendly visits and, if necessary, referring them to other organisations.
- Connect by building a local social network and encouraging neighbourly help.
- Engage by encouraging residents to contribute ideas for their neighbourhood and to participate in activities.
Tracking progress: increased resident engagement and support
The impact of this pilot project has been clearly measurable in Krottegem. Using data from the City Monitor, a survey organised by the Flemish Agency for Domestic Governance and its partner cities, Roeselare tracked citizen engagement before and after the Dialogue Maker’s arrival, comparing 2020 with 2023. The results speak volumes: participation in neighbourhood activities grew by up to 10 percent. In addition, more than 1,000 requests for help were submitted on the city’s digital neighbourhood platform HOPLR over the last two years, while 150 residents signed up as volunteers offering support with tasks such as mowing lawns and doing groceries. Finally, numerous questions concerning the neighbourhood, from littering to future plans, were raised by locals and addressed by the city, showing a clear increase in communication.
I moved to Krottegem a few weeks ago. By the platform HOPLR and the activities of the dialogue maker I got to know my neighbours more easily.
The Dialogue Maker project shows how small, everyday interactions can lead to stronger, more connected communities. Roeselare’s approach offers a simple yet effective model for local engagement and improved relations between residents and the city.
