Brussels aid organisations sound alarm amid uncertain funding

About 40 Brussels aid organisations have sounded the alarm over the “critical situation they find themselves in”, criticising a lack of guarantees regarding the continuity of their funding.

“The situation poses a risk to more than 100,000 vulnerable people and more than 50 jobs,” the associations warn in a joint appeal signed by 40 organisations, including Diogenes, Casa Legal, Foyer, Les Infirmiers de Rue and numerous other organisations.

The organisations concerned work with, among others, the homeless, people with addiction issues and victims of sexual violence.

They are supported by the regional safety organisation Safe.brussels as part of the Global Safety and Prevention Plan (GVPP).

“We carry out daily outreach work that is difficult to replace,” the appeal reads. “If clarity on funding is not provided soon, we will no longer be able to guarantee our services.”

In 2025, several organisations faced significant financial uncertainty due to the absence of a Brussels government.

The same 40 organisations sounded the alarm back then, too, yet are once again facing another year with a lack of financial certainty.

“For 2026, only partial coverage has been confirmed,” their letter explained.

“On top of this comes an accumulation of structural factors affecting the sector, including the non-indexation of subsidies and budgetary austerity measures.”

The organisations criticised the lack of clarity and are calling on policymakers for “swift and clear communication regarding the continuity of funding”.

They also hope for a structural dialogue and more sustainable funding models in a context of “unprecedented vulnerability”.