1968
Erik de Clerck founds the non-profit organisation Alfa. Alfa is a think tank and action group dedicated to raising awareness around injustices in the world. De Clercq mainly attracts progressive young people from the Tijl tribe of scouts, the Torenhout student club and the DAC (Democratic Action Committee).
1970s
Flemish Government recognises Alfa as 'Youth Centre for Social Innovation' (JOCEMA)
1973
From Alfa springs the Wereldwinkel in Turnhout.
1990s
Alfa starts creating educational materials and supervising workshops. In collaboration with 'Focus op het Zuiden' (later 'Open Doek'), it also helped to found the schools' operation of that film festival of the same name.