Belgium’s government is reducing its development cooperation budget by 25%, but ongoing NGO projects will remain unaffected until the end of 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot announced on Thursday during a four-day mission to Kenya.
Speaking during a visit to impoverished outskirts of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Prévot clarified that while a structural effort of €300 million is planned, humanitarian aid is not included in the 25% cut.
Accompanied by Nicole De Moor, the government’s candidate to lead the UN Refugee Agency, Prévot confirmed that Belgium’s contributions to UNHCR will remain unchanged. He emphasised that future projects will focus on education, health, and combating climate change.
The current multi-year funding for NGOs is secure until the end of 2026, with all allocated resources remaining intact. However, starting in 2027, fewer projects will qualify for funding. “Ongoing projects will not be disrupted or terminated,” said Prévot, noting that the same approach applies to academic cooperation initiatives.
“These cuts will primarily target supplementary contributions to multilateral organisations," Prévot explained. "We will honour our mandatory contributions to UN agencies, development banks, and so on. However, in the past, additional funding was provided voluntarily. Going forward, our financial efforts will focus on mandatory contributions.”
During his visit to Nairobi’s impoverished outskirts, Prévot had a first-hand look at the UNHCR-supported RefuShe project.
Located in a secure facility, the project provides support to young women and girls who have fled wars in neighbouring countries, offering psychological care for those who have experienced significant trauma, including displacement, violence, and sexual assault. Participants also gain access to education and vocational training opportunities.
