We are proud to inform you that the first twenty schools have already officially confirmed to enter the DBFM programme Scholen van Vlaanderen Perceel 1 (Schools of Flanders Lot 1).
The DBFM Scholen van Vlaanderen (Perceel 1) NV is a company set up by AG Real Estate and Epico2, Ethias en Rebel as private partners as private partner and School Invest as public partner. This marks the official start of the DBFM (Design, Build, Finance, Maintain) formula for these schools.
To build new schools, the DBFM-formula has proved very successful. In this kind of public-private partnership, the school can give its own interpretation to the plans, but the private partner consequently provides the financing, works out the school's desires into tender-ready projects and puts everything on the market. In this way, the school boards are relieved to the maximum extent.
The signing of these first cooperation agreements is the result of a short but intense entry period. After the framework agreement between the Flemish Government and the DBFM Scholen van Vlaanderen (Perceel 1) was officially signed on 10 July 2024, the boards of all schools - initially 27, now 29 - were extensively informed and visited.
‘We expect confirmation to enter the programme from the remaining school boards in the course of january and look forward to the next phase of our cooperation with them. This includes working out the specific project definition that will form the basis for the further development of their project. Our teams are enthusiastic and ready to embark on this new DBFM after Scholen van Morgen,’ Philippe Monserez, Senior Advisor Public Real Estate & Finance and Senior Advisor to the Executive Committee, translates the ambitions and commitment of the entire team at AG Real Estate, the delegated developer of the programme.
The 29 new schools in the first plot will provide a total of 170,000 sqm of additional school space for some 20.000 pupils. These are primary and secondary schools, but there will also be new special schools, new art academies and a new boarding school.
