Belgium faces an interconnected challenge: achieving carbon neutrality while maintaining a resilient, energized society. The Helios Foundation recognizes that sustainable transformation requires addressing both environmental and human sustainability together.

Today, we focus on the environmental piece of this equation.

Belgium faces a defining challenge: eliminating 100 million tons of CO₂ emissions by 2050 to achieve carbon neutrality. This transformation requires unprecedented coordination and resources.

At the inaugural “Zero: From Vision to Reality” event in Brussels on May 28th, Helios Foundation unveiled both the roadmap and the resources to make this transformation possible. Industry leaders, researchers, and sustainability ex

perts gathered to launch what promises to be Belgium’s most ambitious private climate initiative.

From vision to action

While government initiatives, corporate commitments, and research projects are already underway, critical gaps remain. Helios Foundation positions itself as the catalyst to bridge these gaps, operating through five key mechanisms: scientific research funding, philanthropy, private equity investment with measurable carbon impact, partnerships with leading institutions, and strategic funding where it’s needed most.

Helios Foundation wants to be a driving force for lasting impact. We focus on turning challenges into opportunities.

Bernard De Cannière, President of the Board of Directors & Founder

“We’re not just another funding body,” the foundation’s approach emphasizes. “We’re partners in transformation.” This philosophy drives their existing projects, from the SWIFT Project establishing multidisciplinary research chairs at ULB and VUB, to the STEAM Project developing green technology skills among young innovators.

The 100 million ton roadmap

The event’s centerpiece was the first public presentation of a comprehensive study mapping Belgium’s path to Net Zero. Jean-Charles van den Branden and Jelle Dhaen from Bain & Company revealed findings from this Helios-funded research, providing sector-by-sector targets and identifying key areas for action.

The study breaks this 100 million ton mountain into manageable paths, showing exactly where Belgian businesses and organizations can make the biggest impact, sector by sector.

Jelle Dhaen, Partner at Bain & Company

The study quantifies the challenge and provides a practical blueprint for achieving carbon neutrality, identifying where private funding can have the greatest impact alongside public initiatives.

Helios Foundation is proud to offer this extensive study to the public.

Expert insights: From analysis to implementation

The expert panel, diving into the Bain study’s findings, featured Nicolas Bearelle from sustainable project developer Revive, professor of chemical engineering Angélique Léonard from the University of Liège, Geert Palmers from 3E, a tech company enhancing the performance of renewable energy systems through digital solitions, and Anouk Schoors from The Nest, a Belgian family office investing in the future of food, water, and housing. The panelists assessed the study’s strengths and applicability to their sectors, evaluated whether the proposed sequence of actions and identified barriers rang true, and identified critical gaps and alternative approaches that could sharpen Belgium’s decarbonization strategy.

This structured critique, moderated by Advisory Board Decarbonization members Sybille van den Hove and Serge de Gheldere, moved beyond theoretical discussion to practical implementation challenges. The panelists examined specific sectoral barriers identified in the Bain study, testing them against real-world experience.

The session concluded with an energetic Q&A, where audience members and advisory board members challenged assumptions and offered additional perspectives on Belgium’s decarbonization pathway. This collaborative exchange reflected Helios Foundation’s commitment to solutions that work in practice.

Call for €2-3 million projects

Moving from analysis to action, Eric Lambin, president of the Advisory Board Decarbonization, announced the foundation’s call for projects. With €2-3 million available per project over five years, the foundation seeks initiatives that go beyond business as usual.

“We’re looking for deep transformation and ambitious innovations,” Lambin explained. Projects must demonstrate real, measurable emission reductions specifically in Belgium, with clear plans for long-term success. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that aren’t fully eligible for public subsidies, positioning private funding where it can create unique impact.

Your opportunity to drive change

The application process reflects Helios Foundation’s partnership approach. Rather than distant evaluation, the Advisory Board Decarbonization will guide applicants through a two-phase process via the King Baudouin Foundation platform:

Phase 1: Letters of Intent

• Submit by: June 16 noon (3-page concept)
• Shortlist announced: July 23

Phase 2: Detailed Proposals

• Submit by: September 10 (15-page proposal)
• Final selections: December 18

Selection criteria focus on measurable impact, going beyond standard approaches, and long-term viability without causing harm to nature, water, land, or health.

Belgium’s climate transformation starts now

Helios Foundation’s initiative adds significant private resources to Belgium’s decarbonization efforts. Combined with the Bain roadmap and expert guidance, it contributes to create the infrastructure needed to meet our 100 million ton CO₂ challenge.

While this event focused on making our planet more resilient through decarbonization, Helios Foundation’s dual mission continues. Achieving these ambitious climate goals will ultimately require a workforce that’s energized and resilient, not exhausted, connecting both pillars of the foundation’s vision for Belgium’s future.

Ready to be part of Belgium’s contribution to stabilize the global climate? The application window is open, the roadmap is clear, and expert support is available. Visit the King Baudouin Foundation website to begin your application.