Peterbos is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Brussels, where only 13 percent of residents earn an income from work. Efforts to improve the lives of young people in this area are gaining momentum, with organisations like M’hamed and SAAMO leading the charge. On 2025-06-12 19:44:00, they highlighted the importance of community projects to steer youth away from drug trafficking and social exclusion.
- Peterbos heeft slechts 13% werkende bevolking
- SAAMO verbetert jongerenlot met projecten
- Projecten versterken zelfrespect en historische kennis
- Jongeren leren over islamitische geschiedenis
- SAAMO organiseert lezingen en debatten
- ' Samen op straat' verbindt vaders en jongeren
These initiatives focus on restoring self-respect among young people by connecting them with their rich cultural heritage. Many youths in Peterbos are unaware of the historical contributions of Muslim civilisation, such as the flourishing Islamic culture in southern Spain from the 8th to 16th centuries. This lack of knowledge can lower self-esteem and increase resistance to society, sometimes even leading to radicalisation.
How can communities rebuild trust and pride among their youth? And what role does intergenerational dialogue play in this process? These questions underpin SAAMO’s work, which includes lectures, debates, and the ‘Together on the Street’ project, bringing fathers and young people together three times a week to revive social role models.
Why do such projects matter? They address deep-rooted social challenges by:
- Providing positive role models through family engagement
- Educating youth about their cultural history to boost self-esteem
- Creating safe spaces for dialogue and community building
Looking ahead, expanding these community-driven programmes could serve as a blueprint for other districts facing similar struggles. Can policymakers and local leaders support and scale these efforts to create lasting change?
