Lack of a Brussels government having impact on non-profit associations
The lack of a Brussels government is having an impact on at least 360 Brussels non-profit associations which have warned that their essential services are under serious threat, with the homeless in particular being directly affected. “Against a backd
The lack of a Brussels government is having an impact on at least 360 Brussels non-profit associations which have warned that their essential services are under serious threat, with the homeless in particular being directly affected.
“Against a backdrop of increasing impoverishment and growing social distress, Brussels must urgently assume its responsibilities and ensure the continuity of the fundamental activities carried out by the non-profit sector,” the associations said in a jointly-signed appeal.
The non-profits denounced the lack of prospects for the funding of a significant proportion of their activities from 1 January, and called on the Brussels authorities to prevent the population “from paying the consequences of [their] inaction” as negotiations to form a government drag on.
If there is no guarantee by the end of the year that the so-called "optional" subsidies - from which many of the signatory associations benefit - will be paid, many public service missions will be reduced or stopped.
This would result in a direct impact not only on jobs, beneficiaries and their families, but also on the creation of wealth within the Brussels Region, the organisations have warned.
The work of various non-profit organisations and businesses supported by subsidies has been suspended during the "interminable negotiations" since the 9 June regional elections.
In addition to the people employed thanks to the funding, there are also several hundred thousand beneficiaries of assistance and care whose support is left to uncertainty, the associations have warned. Some non-profits worry that they will soon have to lay off staff.
If no decision is taken now to secure funding beyond 31 December, they write that “we’re heading for a social disaster”.
“The absence of a government does not guarantee us the funding we need to buy equipment,” said Christopher Collin, director of the non-profit organisation Dune, which works with drug addicts to prevent health risks.
“Without sterile equipment, we fear that we will no longer be able to prevent the spread of diseases such as Aids and hepatitis.”
The letter also noted that more than 2,000 homeless people currently accommodated in emergency centres funded by the "Brussels deal" could find themselves without accommodation overnight.
“Dozens of innovative care projects are under threat,” said Edward Van Rossen, mental health coordinator at Gibbis, one of the federations of care institutions in Brussels.
“Several of these projects run until the end of December and have still not received a guarantee of funding in 2025, despite very positive evaluations.
"Some non-profit organisations have already warned their employees that their contracts will no longer be guaranteed for January 2025."
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