Influencing the life of every citizen of Flanders…

Flanders Competence distribution:

The Flemish authorities make decisions about aspects of people’s lives. They exert a huge influence over the life of every Flemish citizen (environment, schools, welfare,…) and are responsible for shaping Flanders.

The Flemish authorities consist of:

• the Flemish Parliament
• the Government of Flanders
• the Flemish administration 

An overview of the jurisdiction of the Flemish Government:

Personal assistance

• youth protection
• youth policy
• family policy (Child & Family)
• family allowance, child birth allowances and adoption allowances
• child care
• policies for the elderly and the disabled
• equal opportunities policies and the Equal Opportunities Centre
• the integration of immigrants

Education

• all aspects of educational policy
• except for a small number of matters such as compulsory education and teachers’ pensions which are a federal competence

Culture

• arts
• cultural heritage
• museums
• libraries
• media (the Flemish Public Broadcaster VRT)
• sports and tourism

Environment and water policy

• environmental protection
• waste management (Public Waste Agency of Flanders OVAM)
• drinking water
• waste water purification
• sewage systems

Language legislation

• use of languages by the authorities
• use of languages in the business community