Culture minister reveals social subsidy plans
Sven Gatz has announced financial backing for organisations including support for people with disabilities and the parents of children killed in road accidents
€51.2 million package
The total package amounts to €51.2 million for the coming five years. That means increased subsidies for 60% of the organisations covered, and up to 1.3% reduction for the rest. About €1.1 million was freed up by organisations that stopped operating or received a negative evaluation, with a further €260,000 provided by the National Lottery.
Five new organisations have been added to the subsidy round: Ouders van Verongelukte Kinderen, an organisation for the parents of children killed in road traffic accidents; MIEX, for people with a handicap; Labo (pictured), which represents civil society and social justice; Lets Vlaanderen, which works for the social economy including alternative means of delivering goods and services; and Autodelen.net, for the social sharing of private cars.
Also receiving subsidy for the first time are a number of training organisations, including Oostwest Centrum for health-care education, Impuls, which trains companies and individuals to live with others, and Fevlado, the federation of Flemish organisations for the deaf.
The sector now consists of 54 associations, 18 training institutes, three union-related training organisations, 13 local colleges, four training institutes for people with a handicap and 35 other movements.
Photo courtesy Labo
