Molenbeek-West

Story of place by the girls

For some, it is a hellhole. Others don’t feel at home here. These are prejudices, born from the fact that they don’t know Molenbeek and have never been here. Yes, Molenbeek has its challenges, but it also holds al lot of potential. A young, diverse, and very active population, to name just one.
We, the girls from Girls Make the City in Molenbeek-West, see the West Park – an abandoned site that is gradually being transformed into a green lung – as our area of action. In Molenbeek, we help each other, live together, and show solidarity in all our diversity. Molenbeek is multicultural, and we believe that is a strength.
Molenbeek is also densely populated. We don’t just live next to each other; we live with each other. We are multilingual, which allows us to communicate and truly get to know each other. The neighborhood has an active community life and is home to many shops and small businesses. We are open and welcoming to everyone.
Due to the lack of greenery, the West Park plays a crucial role. It is a place to relax, breathe in clean air, exercise, and feel safe—where we can meet and everyone can participate. This is the potential of Molenbeek-West.