UiTinVlaanderen is the go-to destination for thousands of leisure seekers every day, powered by the UiTdatabase: Flanders and Brussels' largest activity database with over 215,000 activities added annually by 28,000 organisers. But the existing Drupal website was reaching its limits. UiTinVlaanderen needed a future-proof platform that could serve multiple channels, integrate seamlessly with complex back-end systems, and enable rapid feature development. Together, we built a headless CMS with a central GraphQL API layer, unlocking true omnichannel potential and laying the foundation for continuous innovation.
Headless CMS development with Drupal for editorial flexibility
Central GraphQL backend with Apollo for seamless API integration
Single point of contact for front-end across UiTiD, UiTPAS and UiTdatabase
Collaborative agile development with iO and publiq vzw teams
Scalable architecture enabling rapid new integrations
Continuous user-centric enhancement and optimisation
The challenge
How do you transform an activity database platform into a scalable, omnichannel-ready digital experience without starting over?
The solution
A headless CMS architecture with Drupal for editorial content and a central GraphQL layer that connects all customer systems in a single, maintainable back-end.
UiTinVlaanderen x iO: building the digital future of leisure, together
UiTinVlaanderen, managed by publiq vzw, inspires everyone in Flanders and Brussels to discover activities: from hiking and cycling to cultural performances, events and workshops. The platform connects over 28,000 organisers with millions of leisure seekers through the largest activity database in the region, with more than 215,000 activities added every year.
We are UiTinVlaanderen's trusted digital partner for platform development and continuous optimisation. Our collaboration goes beyond project delivery: for over three years, we've worked as one blended team, sharing code reviews, knowledge and a vision for the platform's future. This case highlights one part of that ongoing journey, but there's much more we're building together.
Why a traditional CMS was no longer enough for UiTinVlaanderen's ambitions
In 2019, UiTinVlaanderen's technical foundation was a Drupal website focused primarily on editorial capabilities. Editors used Drupal for activities, trips, tips and more, all pulling data from the vast UiTdatabase. But the platform needed to evolve. New integrations, external APIs and omnichannel ambitions required a more flexible architecture. The question was clear: how do you build a scalable leisure platform that can serve multiple channels while maintaining editorial control?
Headless CMS development: separating presentation from content
Both iO and UiTinVlaanderen's internal development team arrived at the same conclusion: a headless CMS was the answer. Today, the presentation layer is completely decoupled from the CMS. Content is managed in Drupal, while the front-end focuses purely on presentation. This separation enables each component to evolve independently, managed by specialised teams with specific expertise. For UiTinVlaanderen, this means faster feature development and the ability to serve content across multiple channels without duplicating effort.
GraphQL API layer: one central back-end for all integrations
A headless architecture requires a robust API layer. We chose GraphQL with Apollo to create a central back-end that connects all customer systems: UiTiD, UiTPAS, UiTdatabase and Drupal. This single point of contact for the front-end means developers can build requests that retrieve data from multiple sources in a single call. Apollo's extensive logging functionality provides continuous insight into API performance, error messages and request volumes. The result: faster, more flexible and developer-friendly integrations.
Collaborative agile development: one blended team, two organisations
For three years, iO and publiq vzw have worked as one integrated team. Developers from both organisations share code reviews, supported by short communication lines and rapid de-escalation of technical issues. The internal developers know their own APIs inside out, as well as the organisation's culture and stakeholder landscape. This close collaboration means we catch misalignments early, discuss new integrations during sprints rather than after delivery, and waste less time and resources. It's a partnership model that delivers continuous value.
Future-ready: a foundation for continuous enhancement
The iO and UiTinVlaanderen story is far from over. As a permanent partner, we remain involved in aftercare and optimisation. Both teams regularly review the internal roadmap to determine next steps: redesigns of Tips pages, new components to improve user experience, and features driven by user feedback. UiTinVlaanderen regularly engages users to gauge desired improvements. Our experts then add their own data-driven insights, proactively shaping the platform's evolution.
A central GraphQL layer makes the link with the various customer systems (UiTiD, UiTPAS, UiTdatabase, Drupal) and thus provides a single point of contact for the front-end, so that it only has to focus on the presentation.
The numbers
1+
Activities added annually to the UiTdatabase
1
Organisers contributing to the platform
1+ years
Ongoing collaboration between iO and publiq vzw
A scalable foundation for omnichannel leisure experiences
The headless CMS architecture doesn't just solve today's challenges: it positions UiTinVlaanderen for future growth. By decoupling presentation from content and centralising all integrations through a GraphQL layer, the platform can now serve multiple channels, add new integrations rapidly, and evolve each component independently. For users, the impact is seamless: a consistent experience whether they're browsing on web, mobile or future channels. For UiTinVlaanderen's team, it means less technical debt and more focus on what matters: inspiring everyone in Flanders and Brussels to get out and enjoy.
