Structural financial support for associations working for equality at last
On a proposal from the State Secretary for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Marie-Colline Leroy, the federal government today approved three royal decrees that will provide structural financial support from 2024 to associations active in the fight against racism, equality for LGBTQI+ people and gender equality at federal level.
This amounts to a total of 3.39 million euros for 2024. Leroy: "This structural support will give the associations more security and is at the same time a sign of gratitude and confidence in their hard work to give everyone equal opportunities in our country."
Specifically, the three royal decrees provide for :
- An accreditation process for a period of five years from 2024. A call for applications will be launched as soon as the Royal Decrees are published in the “Moniteur Belge” (after receiving the opinion of the Council of State). This authorisation will allow associations to plan their activities in the long term.
- Associations or umbrella organisations that have been approved will then be able to apply for annual structural mission grants. The first application will be for 2024.
New governance in the allocation of funds
This new governance of the allocation of funds to associations responds to a demand from the sector itself, but also, in terms of gender equality, to the recommendations of GREVIO, the independent body that monitors the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. This convention aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence.
It also fits in with Secretary of State Leroy's political will for greater policy coherence and efficiency. Several federal and national plans have already been drawn up: for an LGBTQI-friendly Belgium, against racism, against gender violence, the gender mainstreaming plan, etc. These plans have been developed together with civil society.
Substantial increase in budgets
The plans were accompanied by a significant increase in the budgets of the associations involved. Whereas previously there was no structural support for anti-racism associations and LGBTQI+ equality associations, from 2024 they will be able to count on €900,000 and €500,000 per year respectively. Structural support for associations working for gender equality will increase from €700,000 in 2021 to €1,990,000 in 2024, almost tripling.
Secretary of State Marie-Colline Leroy is delighted that a system of structural support for associations working in the field of equal opportunities and gender equality is finally in place at federal level. "We undertook to give associations more security by granting them structural funding. We have now fulfilled this commitment. The government's efforts to make Belgium more inclusive, tolerant, vigilant and proactive in defending the rights of all women and men in our country are only possible thanks to the invaluable work of the associations. It is therefore essential that we continue to support them in the long term".
