Current projects under my supervision

Non take-up of social rigths

When citizens are eligible for certain social benefits, but they cannot realise, execute or take them, out of a lack of information, lack of digital skills, shame or fear for the authorities, or other grounds, something is not working well in our welfare state. These citizens will not appear on the radar of the Centers for Public Welfare and made end up in poverty. With the Pro-Actif project HIVA - KU Leuven and its partners aim to bring target groups and beneficiaries closer together. This is an inter-university project with the Center for Social Polivy of the University of Antwerp and the DULBEA from the Université libre de Bruxelles as partners. Prof.Ilan Tojerow (ULB) and prof.Gerlinde Verbist (UA) are co-PI. The project is financed by the Federal Science Policy (Belspo).

 

The Market for Domestic Labour in Belgium

Paid labour in the household is a large sector in Belgium. The largest segment, 140.000 workers, are employed with service vouchers (dienstencheques). This project researches the working conditions of workers in that sector, as well as in adjunct sectors. The project is financed by the Federal Institute for the Equality of Women and Men. Co-Pi id Dr.Tim Goevaert and collaborators are Dr.Hanne Vandermeersch, Frederic  De Wispelaere and Karen Huysmans. 

the INVOLVE Project

Growing inequalities are putting pressure on European democracies. Vulnerable groups in particular are losing trust in political institutions, and no longer participate in elections. INVOLVE, a Horizon Europe project, explores how more inclusive and qualitative public services can ensure that citizens continue to feel involved in their democracies. 

INVOLVE is a unique project, working with vulnerable citizens in 8 European countries from January 2023 onwards. We map their experiences with public services, such as education and healthcare, and let their voices be heard about what they expect from their democracies. The project is supported by a unique consortium consisting of 5 academic partners and 6 NGOs. HIVA is in charge of the quantitative part of the project, organising surveys and experiments in all project countries.

Publications available on the website Involve Democracy

with Dr.Silke Goubin, Matthijs Gillesen en Marije Reidsma

 

Assisted Living for the Elderly

At the request of the Department of Care of the Regional Government of Flanders, HIVA surveyed care assistants and managers regarding the profile of residents in assisted living homes, the cost of care and accommodation, the duties of care assistants, and the opportunities and limitations of this type of housing within the wider context of elderly care.  

Assisted living homes are the best-known ‘intermediate option’ between continuing to live at home and moving into a care home. What this type of accommodation actually entails in practice remains largely unknown to many people.  With this study, we aim to provide a more detailed answer to the question of exactly what groups of assisted living homes offer (which services for what price, opportunities for social interaction or otherwise, etc.), what role they fulfil and what needs they may meet. Another frequently cited concern regarding assisted living homes is their affordability.  The cost is therefore also part of our study.  

with Dr.Hanne Vandermeersch

Final report available at the HIVA website

Service Flats in Flanders — HIVA 

 

 

Economic Development and the state of the labour market in Ukraine

Trough the Enabel – HIVA-KU Leuven cooperation under the framework of the BE-Relieve programme between Belgium and Ukraine  HIVA – KU Leuven will support the implementation of the BE-Relieve programme through expertise and research knowhow. The objective of the cooperation with Enabel is twofold:

• Provide support for the capacity building of local, regional and national actors in Ukraine;

• Support the Enabel team in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the BE-Relieve programme

with Frederic De Wispelaere, Dr.Tim Goevaerts and Prof.Sarah van Steenkiste