Proximus

Increasingly, people are finding themselves excluded from our society, most frequently for reasons that are out with their control. This is why Proximus has decided to create a foundation whose mission is to support projects that will improve the well being of i) disabled persons, ii) children and minors and iii) the poor and those in need in Belgium.

Projects can be proposed by charitable organisations recognised by the Ministry of Finance in Belgium, as well as by Proximus employees either individually or in teams working in close collaboration with one of the recognised organisations.

From 2003 onwards, winning projects will share an annual maximum fund of € 500,000. Winning projects submitted by Proximus employees will receive in addition to the requested funding, voluntary assistance from the employee(s) who submitted the project amounting to 13 to 16 working days per year.

The daily running of the foundation will be assured by a Board presided by Lutgart Van den Berghe, a known Belgian specialist in Corporate Governance. Mrs. Van den Berghe is Board member of the ING-BBL Group, Professor at the University of Ghent, Executive Director at the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, President of the Centre of Excellence "Entrepreneurship, Governance and Strategy" and Director of the Belgian Directors' Institute.

A jury comprising Belgian personalities chosen for their known involvement in charitable initiatives will oversee the selection of the award-winning projects. The jury will be presided by Baudouin Michiels, President of the Prince Albert Fund. To date, Axelle Red, singer known for her social involvement and as Ambassador for UNICEF and Jean-Marie Limpens, President of Handicap International Belgium and lecturer at the UCL, have accepted membership to the jury.

The independent jury as well as Proximus employees and Proximus customers will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite project, this results in three categories of monetary awards: The Proximus Employee Prize, The Jury Prizes and the Proximus Customer Prizes. All winning projects benefiting the improved well-being of disabled persons, children and minors and the poor and those in need in Belgium will share the total donation of € 500,000.

As of 5 December 2002, interested charitable organisations can visit the Proximus Foundation website at the following address: www.proximusfoundation.be, to obtain additional information and consult the conditions for project submission.*

In anticipation of the first project submissions to the foundation and to mark the launch of the initiative, Proximus has invited its employees to end 2002 by helping others. From 27 November to 5 December 2002, toys will be collected in each of the Proximus offices. The toys will be distributed to children in need resident in institutions throughout Belgium (homes, orphanages, paediatric hospitals) on 6 December for Saint Nicholas.

The Proximus Foundation was not created overnight

The Proximus Foundation is the result of considerable reflection within the company that has been a keen supporter of social, health and environmental initiatives in the past. For years, Proximus has reinforced its promise of bringing people closer together by providing preferential SMS tariffs for the deaf and hard of hearing. The company also supports other initiatives that include the Duck Race for the Flanders Red Cross, Fondation Cédric, as well as the PC for Schools initiative (Proximus donates all its older IT equipment, computers, printers... to schools).

The Proximus Foundation Project Calendar 2003

From 05/12/2002 to 31/01/2003:
Project submission period

From 05/02/2003 to 14/02/2003:
Proximus Employees vote for their favourite project

On 26/02/2003:
Jury votes for its favourites and selects another 10 projects to be submitted to Proximus customers

From 01/03/2003 to 04/04/2003
Proximus customers vote for their favourites

10/04/2003
Public announcement of all awards

* The rules for project submission 2003 to the Proximus Foundation are available on request from 4 December 2002, please call: +32 2 205 97 00.

For all additional information:

Proximus Foundation Press Office
Tel. : + 32 2 545 66 03
e-mail : press@proximusfoundation.be