The report Progress in Socio-Cultural Adult Work (Socius, 2025) analyzes the operations and finances of 128 organizations in Flanders and Brussels during the first years of the 2021–2025 policy period. The sector had to adapt significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to accelerated digitalization, new working methods, and increased attention to issues such as loneliness and inequality. Organizations demonstrate a wide diversity in activities and practices, work on more inclusive participation, and call for more flexible volunteer policies. Digitalization, communication, and collaborations with government, civil society, the market, and international networks are key themes. Financially, the sector remains relatively healthy but strongly dependent on subsidies, with growing attention to diversification, quality management, and human resources policies. Overall, socio-cultural adult work proves to be resilient, innovative, and socially relevant.
For this study, the authors analyzed 128 progress reports (2023) and financial statements (2021–2022) from socio-cultural adult organizations. Using NVivo, the texts were coded based on 23 thematic codes, following a test phase to ensure reliability and consistency. Both vertical (per report) and horizontal (across all reports) analyses revealed patterns, categories, and insights. In addition, attributes such as organization type, size, and mission were used to explain differences. The financial analysis provided additional insight into revenues, expenditures, and the overall health of the sector.
Key findings
- COVID-19 pandemic: led to accelerated digitalization, creative alternative work methods, and new themes such as loneliness and mental health; at the same time, some volunteers and participants dropped out.
- Action logics: organizations work with a wide range of activities (105 forms) and practices (7 types), and take on connecting, critical, and laboratory roles.
- Diversity: organizations increasingly focus on reaching diverse target groups and adapt their methods through “working differently.”
- Volunteering: engagements are becoming shorter and more specific, requiring flexible management and tailored support.
- Digitalization & communication: the digital leap has a lasting impact, with greater professionalization in communication and a growing need for digital skills.
- Collaborations: relationships with government, civil society, the market, and international partners are essential; often marked by dependency and partnership, sometimes by tension.
- Finances: the sector is generally financially healthy but strongly dependent on subsidies; there is growing attention to diversifying income streams.
- Organizational policy: quality management, HR policies, and attracting new competences (socio-cultural, business, digital) are central.
- Overall conclusion: the sector demonstrates resilience, innovative capacity, and lasting social relevance despite major challenges.
Researchers
Marc JansMaya Retana
Affiliations
SociusSteunpunt sociaal-cultureel werk vzw