Proximus

Thirty-six local projects organizing activities for the benefit of underprivileged children and young people will this year share the €500,000 provided by Proximus. Last spring, the various non-profit organizations could submit their applications. The selection procedure then got underway to determine the best projects for 2009. These projects were selected from among 193 applications received by an independent jury composed of Belgian personalities and specialists of the non-profit sector.

The Jury’s Prizes

A jury composed of Belgian personalities and specialists of the non-profit sector picked 36 projects spread around the country. Throughout the year, the Proximus Foundation will monitor the progress of the winning projects. A description of the projects and the names of the non-profit organizations awarded the various prizes are available on the Proximus Foundation website.

Background to the call for project proposals

On 20 February 2009, the Proximus Foundation, in cooperation with the King Baudouin Foundation, launched a call for project proposals for Belgian non-profit organizations helping disadvantaged children. They had until mid-May 2009 to submit their project application to the Foundation. In total, 193 applications were submitted. The jury met this summer: it made its own selection for the Prizes of the Jury, which will reward 36 initiatives. For Michel Georgis, CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Proximus Foundation's Board of Directors, "The Belgacom Group has developed a corporate social responsibility approach for several years. This translates into the development of products and services for the benefit of the greatest number of people, including the underprivileged. As a leading provider of communication products and services, our commitment to corporate social responsibility is linked to a strong sensitivity to the world in which we operate. We are acutely aware of the needs of the people we are helping. The Proximus Foundation ties in fully with this corporate citizen approach".

The Proximus Foundation: a social contribution from the Belgacom Group

Proximus's desire to respond to the non-profit organizations' numerous requests for assistance led to the creation of the Proximus Foundation in December 2002. As part of its corporate social responsibility policy, Proximus supports initiatives from the social, public health and environmental sectors. For years now, Proximus has thus provided preferential SMS rates to the deaf and hard of hearing. The company also regularly sponsors a variety of initiatives, such as Responsible Young Drivers, Child Focus and the PC for Schools project, through which Proximus provides schools with computers and printers that have been decommissioned from its computer park, once they have been upgraded.

For more information: www.proximusfoundation.be

Journalists requiring more information should contact the Belgacom Press Relations department:

Haroun Fenaux: +32 2 202 48 67 or +32 476 60 03 33
Jan Margot: +32 2 202 85 01 or +32 475 58 50 37
Frédérique Verbiest: +32 2 202 99 26 or +32 476 60 60 10

The Proximus Foundation: 7 years of operation and already €3,500,000 allocated to Belgian non-profit organizations

The aim of this public-service foundation is to provide assistance to persons residing in Belgium who are disadvantaged by their social exclusion or handicap and to help them to integrate into society. The Proximus Foundation also seeks to promote volunteer work and social commitment among Proximus employees. To fulfill this objective, Proximus has allocated to the Foundation an annual total budget of €500,000 since 2003.

The King Baudouin Foundation

The King Baudouin Foundation was established in 1976 on the 25th anniversary of King Baudouin's ascension to the throne. In the deed of association, the Foundation is described as an independent organization which encourages original ideas and implements new projects. Its mission is both clear and vast: help build a better society.