Training Workshops for Heritage Route Guides in Borgerhout
As part of the MIRETAGE project, KADOC and Empact have joined forces with Avansa to prepare volunteer guides for the Borgerhout heritage route. Through a series of four training workshops, participants explored the project’s objectives, developed practical guiding skills and learned how to engage with groups and address challenging topics.
Preparing volunteer guides
Before summer 2026, KADOC and Empact launched a call for potential guides for the Borgerhout heritage route. The aim was to prepare interested volunteers from Empact’s network to lead groups along the route through a series of dedicated training sessions.
Four workshops were designed in close collaboration with Avansa, an organisation specialising in adult education in Flanders. This partnership brought Avansa’s expertise in adult learning into the MIRETAGE project. All workshops took place at Empact’s offices.
The training programme began with an introductory workshop on 18 June 2026, attended by trainers and interested volunteers. During this session, KADOC and Empact presented the MIRETAGE project and discussed the development of the Borgerhout heritage route in detail. Participants were also introduced to the guidelines developed within MIRETAGE, with particular attention to practical recommendations.
To prepare participants for the next stages, Avansa concluded the session by outlining the approach and content of the three follow-up workshops scheduled for September.
Developing practical guiding skills
The three follow-up sessions explored different aspects of group guiding. They were delivered by independent professionals and organisations from the sociocultural sector that work closely with Avansa. Each session provided specialist knowledge to help prepare the future guides.
9 September 2026 – Communication and setting boundaries: Els Hauser, from Atlas vzw, explored communication and boundary-setting.
17 September 2026 – Basic guiding techniques: Lief Houben, from Expeditie De Stad, introduced participants to fundamental techniques for guiding groups.
24 September 2026 – Addressing controversial statements: Marjan Blokland, from Motief vzw, shared practical advice and strategies for responding to controversial statements.
Together, the four workshops provided participants with an introduction to the heritage route, practical guidance and tools to help them lead groups and engage with different perspectives.
Evaluating the programme and looking ahead
Following the completion of the four workshops, Empact, KADOC and Avansa met online on 13 October 2026 to evaluate the training programme and consider the next steps.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review feedback collected by Empact from participants, reflect on the strengths of the workshops and identify areas for improvement. The partners also discussed the next stages in developing the Borgerhout heritage route and preparing its guides.
This collaborative process reflects MIRETAGE’s commitment to inclusive heritage interpretation, practical learning and cooperation between cultural organisations, educators and local communities.
