Urban SOS

How can social workers engage politically in cities? This project brings the four-quadrant model and storytelling into everyday practice.

In short
How can social work organisations adopt a political role in urban settings? This research explores how the four-quadrant model and storytelling can support professionals to address social tensions such as polarisation. It focuses on making existing tools accessible and applicable in the Flemish context.

Need and relevance
Urban environments face growing challenges such as social polarisation and fragmentation. Social workers need concrete strategies to act as agents of change. This project responds to that need by offering tested methods that support politicising practices in daily social work.

From approach to impact
Building on the European Urban SOS project, we collaborate with CAW and social work universities in Helsinki, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. We test and refine existing materials, disseminate them through an online platform, and host a seminar and study day to engage the field. The project enhances critical reflection and political agency within urban social work.