Ambassadors of The Warmest Week 2021: Kawtar Ehlalouch (MNM), Stéphan Tanganagba (One) and Gloria Monserez (Stubru/Ketnet). — © Jef Claes/VRT
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“Because of how they look, because of who they like to see, because they get fewer opportunities or simply because they are not doing well mentally… One in five Flemish people cannot be themselves in our society. And the Warmste Week wants to do something about that,” it reads in a press release on Sunday. In the meantime, the solidarity campaign of the VRT also announces for which 200 projects money will be collected this year.
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“The 200 selected projects together form a wide range of creative and warm initiatives that build bridges between people and actively set things in motion”, Eva Vereecke, jury chairperson of the DWW Fund, founded at the King Baudouin Foundation to promote socially relevant projects within the theme “Be able to be who you are”, financially support. “Because everyone deserves to be who they are. This also applies to people with dementia, people with disabilities, people who grow up in deprivation or who find themselves in another socially vulnerable situation. For each of them, the 200 selected projects really make the difference. And now it’s up to all of us. I hope that Flanders shows its warmest side. With the support of everyone, these projects can give wings to young and old.”
Some of the selected projects:
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Casa Magnolia from Brussels, which wants to breathe new life into an old ambulance and convert it into a sensory mobile. “It brings games, fun and relaxation to the home for children with a serious illness or disability, who can be a little more child again.”
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Out for the Win uit Gent wants to develop an accessible and safe sports offer for LGBT+ young people and support the sports sector to develop an inclusive sports sector.
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‘Caravan, on the road together’ by Howest from Kortrijk, a project in which the university of applied sciences raises awareness about the theme ‘Being who you are’. Student ambassadors man two caravans that are equipped as a podcast studio, listening point and attraction. In that safe harbor, students can discuss sensitive issues.
The full list of projects can be found at www.dewarmsteweek.be and on the website of the King Baudouin Foundation. The amount collected by De Warmste Week is fully divided among the 200 projects.
The Angel Farm
Dieter Coppens has already visited one of the 200 projects, De Engelenhoeve, which dreams of a mobile percussion house that helps children and young people with disabilities to be more themselves.
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Coronaproof
The Warmste Week calls on you to support the projects corona-safe. There are examples of corona-safe actions on www.dewarmsteweek.be, such as an online quiz, a board game evening or a sponsored livestream. As of this year, a QR code is also available in the form of the flame of De Warmste Week. By scanning the flame you can make a gift.
“De Warmste Week is resolutely going for a 100 percent corona-safe edition,” it reads in the press release. “After the consultation committee of Friday 3 December, De Warmste Week has decided to cancel all planned indoor public events in Mechelen.”
The host city remains Mechelen, which has been very fond of the theme ‘Being who you are’ for years. During De Warmste Week, Studio Brussel and MNM will co-produce DWW Radio, live from Mechelen and also shown on Eén and VRT NU.
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