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Belgium - Année européenne du bénévolat 2011

Word for volunteering: Volontariat
Words for associations: A.S.B.L., association sans but lucratif

The terms "bénévolat" and "volontariat" have been used as synonyms for a long time in Belgium. However, in 2005 the law about volunteering established a distinction between the two notions:

"volontariat" is used for an activity defined by the law;
"bénévolat" is used for all other non-remunerated activities.

Learn more, see the report of the European Commission about volunteering in Belgium

Association pour le volontariat

CFounded in 1974, the Association for volunteering is an independent, non-profit organisation.
Its functions are:

developing and promoting all kinds of voluntary activities;
supporting and training volunteers;
coordinating the actions of Belgian voluntary organisations.

The Association for volunteering is an interface between volunteers and non-profit organisations, also thanks to its regional centres (Liège, Namur, Charleroi, Mons, Ottignies, Braine l'Alleud.).

Association pour le Volontariat
rue Royale 11
B- 1000 Bruxelles
Tel.: +32 (0)2 219 53 70
Fax: +32 (0)2 219 32 48
E-mail: volontariat@skynet.be
Web site: http://www.volontariat.be

The King Baudouin Foundation (Fondation Roi Baudoin )

The King Baudouin Foundation is a pluralistic public benefit foundation. In existence for 25 years, it was established to improve living conditions for the population. Civic commitment is a theme central to the projects of the King Baudouin Foundation. The foundation obviously supports voluntary service, and in this spirit recent campaigns were conducted to encourage the voluntary sector to acquire new skills in information technology, in management as well as in accountancy and financial management. The King Baudouin Foundation has also initiated research on the status of voluntary work in Belgium, the results of which are downloadable for free from the internet website.

Fondation Roi Baudouin
Rue Brederode 21
B-1000 Bruxelles.
Tel. : +32 2 511 18 40
Fax: +32 2 511 52 21
E-mail: info@kbs-frb.be
Web site: http://www.kbs-frb.be

Trans-Mission

Trans-Mission was founded in 1992 to inform about volunteering in Belgium and abroad.

Trans-Mission
avenue Général Médecin Derache, 50
B-1050 Bruxelles.
Tel. : +32 487 478 301
E-mail: info@t-mission.org
Web site: http://www.t-mission.org

Vlaams Steunpunt Vrijwilligerswerk vzw

The Vlaams Steunpunt Vrijwilligerswerk vzw, (formerly known as the 'Platform voor Voluntariaat') is the Flemish Centre for voluntary work. The organisation is open to all volunteer organisations, whatever their field of activity (welfare, education, health, the environment or sport). It forms a bridge between volunteers and organisations employing volunteers, and forms a bridge between organisations and policy-makers. The aims of Vlaams Steunpunt Vrijwilligerswerk vzw are: to obtain favourable regulations for volunteers from the Belgian government to make voluntary work possible for everyone; to increase public awareness about voluntary work. Its functions are:

to answer questions from volunteers;
to give advice to organisations;
to supply information about the rights and obligations of volunteers and organisations;
to respond to demands to give lectures on voluntary action to organisations.

Vlaams Steunpunt Vrijwilligerswerk vzw
Marie-Josélaan, 73
B- 2600 Berchem
Tél.: +32 (0)3 218 59 01
Fax: +(32) (0)3 218 45 23
E-mail: info@vsvw.be
Web site: http://www.vrijwilligerswerk.be

Service Volontaire International

Le Service Volontaire International (SVI) est une association de jeunesse pluraliste Belge gérée par et pour des jeunes, par et pour des bénévoles. Le SVI est la principale association d'envoi de volontaire en Belgique.

Le SVI, qui a vu le jour en août 2009 en Belgique, est une association partenaire de l'ONG SJ Vietnam créée à Hanoï en 2004 avec le soutien des Volontaires des Nations Unies (UNV) et la coopération Belge. Le SVI est invité permanent du CJC et collabore avec de nombreuses associations de volontariat international et des ONG dans plus de 70 pays à travers le monde.

Service volontaire international (SVI)
Campus UCL à Woluwe
8/142 Woluwe Dal
1932 Woluwe Saint Etienne
Belgique
Tél.: +32 (0) 2 / 888 67 13
Fax: + 32 (0) 2 / 725 76 47
E-mail: info@servicevolontaire.org
Web site: http://www.servicevolontaire.org

Het Punt Brussels Volunteer Centre

Het Punt is a non profit organisation which was founded in 2001. It is supported by the Commission of the Flemish Community of Brussels and by the Ministry of the Flemish Community. Het Punt supports the Dutch speaking organisations in the Brussels area in their quest for volunteers. Potential volunteers can contact Het Punt and ask for information about volunteer opportunities. Het Punt also organises information sessions about issues related to volunteer work such as insurance, volunteer management etc.

Het Punt Brussels Volunteer Centre
Treurenberg 24
1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 218 5516
Fax: +32 2 218 7716
E-mail: hetpunt@busmail.net
Web site: http://hetpunt.vgc.be