Wervel vzw

Wervel vzw is a Belgian non-profit organisation (vzw) founded in 1990 as the Werkgroep voor Rechtvaardige en Verantwoorde landbouw (Working Group for Just and Responsible Agriculture) in the Abbey of Averbode by a group of concerned citizens. Inspired by the vision of Member of the European Parliament Herman Verbeek, who spoke of a world where one part of humanity suffers hunger while another lives in abundance, and where farmers on both sides are underpaid, the group aimed to address global food inequality. In 1996 the working group was transformed into an official non-profit association (vzw). Wervel describes itself as the movement for agro-ecology and short supply chains with LEF — Local, Ecological and Fair. As a socio-cultural organisation, it works towards a food supply that is socially just, culturally embedded and ecologically restorative. It connects eaters, farmers, processors and distributors who take food into their own hands. The organisation gained recognition for highlighting the problematic import of soy as animal feed, linked to large-scale deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado and over-fertilisation in Western Europe. It also researches solutions such as local production of plant proteins, agroforestry and agro-ecological livestock farming. In 2006 Wervel received official recognition as a socio-cultural movement within Flemish cultural policy, confirming its role as a movement of societal importance. In late 2024, under pressure from subsidy providers, the movement branch of Voedselteams vzw was transferred to Wervel vzw through a 'contribution without consideration' (inbreng om niet), significantly increasing Wervel's capacity and leading to a tripling of activities in 2025. The commercial activities of Voedselteams remained under the umbrella of Voedselteams vzw. Wervel organises info sessions, workshops, open farm days and farmer debates, and produces publications such as brochures on agroforestry, regenerative soil and samenwinkels (community shops). Its annual campaign 'Februari zonder supermarkt' (February without supermarket) challenges citizens to shop locally for a month. Wervel also coordinates a learning network of samenwinkels — citizen-led, non-profit community shops that are alternatives to traditional supermarkets. The organisation is run by a small staff of 5 full-time equivalents under coordinator Linde Camps, with significant volunteer involvement. Wervel has been a breeding ground for many initiatives in sustainable agriculture and food, including short-chain networks, agroforestry, food teams and food councils.

Wervel was founded in 1990 as the Werkgroep voor Rechtvaardige en Verantwoorde landbouw (Working Group for Just and Responsible Agriculture) in the Abbey of Averbode by a group of concerned citizens. Inspired by the vision of Member of the European Parliament Herman Verbeek, who spoke of a world where one part of humanity suffers hunger while another lives in abundance, and where farmers on both sides are underpaid, the group aimed to address global food inequality. In 1996 the working group was transformed into an official non-profit association (vzw). Since its founding, Wervel has highlighted many problems in the food system, but above all has spotlighted and supported hopeful initiatives. The organisation advocates for more than just agricultural changes; it strives for a Local, Ecological and Fair (LEF) food system where citizens and farmers take food supply into their own hands and detach from the agro-business complex. The organisation gained recognition for the theme of problematic soy imports as animal feed, which leads to large-scale deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado and over-fertilisation in Western Europe. Wervel problematises the consequences of industrial agriculture for farmers, eaters and the environment. It also looks at solutions, researching possibilities for local production of plant proteins, applications of agroforestry and agro-ecological livestock farming. In 2006 Wervel received official recognition as a socio-cultural movement within Flemish cultural policy, confirming its role as a movement of societal importance. This recognition gave the organisation more capacity and responsibility. Under pressure from subsidy providers (Department of Culture), Voedselteams vzw sought a successor. After many discussions, the vzw underwent a 'contribution without consideration' (inbreng om niet) from Voedselteams beweging vzw. The movement branch was placed under Wervel vzw at the end of 2024. This significantly increased Wervel's capacity, resulting in a tripling of activities in 2025. The commercial activities of Voedselteams continued under the umbrella of Voedselteams vzw. Wervel brings citizens and farmers back into connection with each other through info sessions, workshops, open farm days and farmer debates. All activities are low-threshold and free for members. The organisation has also developed many publications and online presentations, such as brochures on agroforestry ('bomen voor veerkracht'), regenerative soil, and samenwinkels, as well as Middagsessies — a series of online sessions of at most 30 minutes on agro-ecological or short-chain themes. Each year Wervel challenges citizens to do their shopping closer to home for a month through the campaign 'Februari zonder supermarkt' (February without supermarket). This highlights problems around large supermarkets (scale enlargement, low prices and long food chains) and makes participants aware that farmers are underpaid, products travel the world, and consumers lose sight of the origin of their food. For 28 days, citizens are invited to seek local alternatives: farm shops, markets, samenwinkels, voedselteams, etc. Samenwinkels are alternatives to traditional supermarkets where citizens work together on positive and fair neighbourhood shops. These shops do not pursue profit but are collectives with strong involvement of citizens and farmers, often legally structured as vzw's or cooperatives. Wervel brings them together in a learning network where affiliated shops engage in dialogue and research to learn from each other, gain experience, and exchange ideas and tips. Members include BES (Beernem), Bokaal (Tielt), Boer Bas (Brugge), Akker en Ambacht (Gent), Eco & fair (Herzele and online), VLAS (Gent), Winkel in zicht (Gent, Lochristi, Hansbeke and Brakel), CoopSaam (Essen), de Coöperant (Antwerpen, starting up), Rico.lab (Deurne), Content (Leuven), BEES coop (Schaarbeek), Bloum (Vorst), BOS coop (starting up), Molleke (Brussels), Le Pédalo (Elsene), wAnderCoop (Anderlecht), Bab'l Market (Sint-Pieters-Woluwe), De Nieuwe Graanschuur (Netherlands), and Gedeelde Weelde (Netherlands). Through the years Wervel stood at the cradle of many initiatives that now chart their own course in the broad field of sustainable agriculture and food, such as networks around short chain, agroforestry, voedselteams, and food councils. Wervel played a connecting role, helped pioneers start up, provided substantive input and kept a finger on the pulse. Wervel is run by a small group of staff (5 full-time equivalents) under coordinator Linde Camps, with significant volunteer involvement. Volunteers and working groups have been the driving force behind Wervel vzw for years. In addition to some regular volunteers, both temporary and long-term working groups are ready to deepen and share Wervel's story.

• 2026

  Celebrated 30th anniversary with a digital exhibition and a large party on 27 September 2026 in Averbode.

• 2025

  Activities tripled following the integration of Voedselteams movement branch.

• 2024

  Movement branch of Voedselteams vzw transferred to Wervel vzw via 'inbreng om niet' at the end of 2024.

• 2006

  Received official recognition as a socio-cultural movement within Flemish cultural policy.

• 1996

  Transformed into an official non-profit association (vzw).

• 1990

  Founded as Werkgroep voor Rechtvaardige en Verantwoorde landbouw in the Abbey of Averbode by concerned citizens inspired by Herman Verbeek.

Movement for agro-ecology and short supply chains with LEF (Local, Ecological, Fair), advocating for a socially just, culturally embedded and ecologically restorative food system.

• Brochure 'bomen voor veerkracht' on Agroforestry

• Brochure 'regeneratieve kijk op de bodem'

• Brochure 'Samenwinkels'

• Middagsessies: online sessions of max 30 minutes on agro-ecological or short-chain themes

1. 1Home - Wervelwervel.be
2. 2Wervel vzw - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Wervel vzw - Wikidatawikidata.org