Harent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Since 2002, Herent has donated 1% of salary expenses to charity, started by former alderman Draye. They will give €9,100 to 11.11.11, €4,550 to Broederlijk Delen, and support Guatemala projects.
The municipality of Herent in Belgium has been donating 1% of its total salary expenses to charitable causes since 2002. This is a commitment to international solidarity, and it was started by former alderman Draye. He believed it was important for Herent to help people outside of its borders and to support global issues.
According to the officials, even though the town has had financial challenges in recent years, they have kept their promise to donate this money. Mayor Draye says that it’s important to keep their word to help others and that this doesn’t affect the residents.
How does Herent continue foreign aid despite budget cuts?
Herent believes that helping others is important, even though they don’t have a lot of money. They think it’s good for the town to be fair and to help people understand what’s happening in the world. Belgium also encourages people to give money to charities. Officials mentioned that if people give at least €40 to a charity in Europe, people can get 45% of that money back when they pay their taxes.
The subsidies have existed since 2002,
says Draye.
When I was alderman, we decided to reserve 1 percent of our total salary costs for the charity. We think it is important to be aware of what is happening outside the municipality and to do our part in international solidarity.
This year 2025, Herent are giving €9,100 to 11.11.11 Koepel Internationale Solidariteit, €4,550 each to Broederlijk Delen and Palestina Solidariteit Herent, €3,250 to Eye for Salone, and €1,950 to Child Action Lanka Belgium. They are also giving money to Oxfam Wereldwinkel, Het Centrum, Onthaalgroep Vluchtelingen Herent, and Rikolto.
These organizations all help people in need. Herent has also been working with 2 areas in Guatemala for over 20 years. Officials mentioned that they helped build a radio station and a community centre there.
Herent is continuing to help people in other countries even though Belgium is giving less money to foreign aid. Many people, including former alderman Draye, think this is bad. He understands that the government needs to save money, but he is sad that they are giving less money to help other countries. Herent are continuing to give money and work with other countries because they think it is important to help people both in Herent and around the world.
You can only regret that,
says Draye.
I don’t want to make a statement about the need for savings, but I think it’s a shame that international cooperation is being cut. For us, the government’s decision is more a reason to persevere than to stop.
