Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
The King Baudouin Foundation ING Fund: What The Finance 2026 supports projects in Belgium that improve financial literacy, inclusion, and resilience among vulnerable youth and adults. Grants of up to €50,000 fund initiatives that expand access to financial education, promote digital financial skills, and strengthen financial confidence, especially for socially or economically disadvantaged groups.
ING Fund: What The Finance 2026 Overview
The ING Fund: What The Finance 2026 is a targeted funding initiative managed by the King Baudouin Foundation. It focuses on strengthening financial knowledge and resilience among vulnerable populations in Belgium.
The programme supports projects that expand financial literacy tools, improve accessibility, and help individuals develop long-term financial independence.
Purpose and Objectives of the Fund
The fund is designed to improve financial wellbeing by supporting initiatives that:
- Promote financial inclusion and fair access to financial services
- Strengthen protection against financial exploitation and misinformation
- Improve financial literacy (budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, and rights)
- Support better financial planning and emergency preparedness
- Advance digital financial skills for safe online money management
- Link financial literacy to employment and long-term financial stability
- Expand the reach and accessibility of existing financial education tools
The core goal is to empower individuals to make informed and independent financial decisions.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include a wide range of non-commercial and community-focused organisations:
- Non-profit organisations
- Youth organisations and associations
- Social and community-based organisations
- Educational institutions and schools
- Poverty reduction and welfare organisations
- Integration and civic education services
- Cultural institutions (e.g., libraries with social programmes)
- Self-organised community groups working with vulnerable populations
- Care institutions and residential support facilities
Eligible groups must operate in Belgium and serve vulnerable or at-risk populations.
Who is NOT Eligible?
The following are excluded:
- Commercial companies
- Political parties or affiliated organisations
- Trade unions or union-linked organisations
- Municipalities, cities, and other public authorities
Target Groups (Beneficiaries)
The programme focuses strongly on vulnerable populations, including:
- Young people and school drop-outs
- Youth in special education programmes
- Individuals facing socio-economic hardship
- Migrants, newcomers, and non-native speakers
- People with disabilities
- Older adults with low digital literacy
- Self-employed individuals with unstable income
- Homeless individuals
Funding Details (2026)
- Maximum grant: up to €50,000 per project
- Project-based funding (duration varies depending on proposal)
- Emphasis on measurable impact and sustainability
Applicants are encouraged to include:
- Clear KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
- Defined project timelines
- Evidence of scalability or replication potential
- Strategies for expanding existing tools or programmes
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The fund prioritises projects that build on or expand existing financial education tools, such as:
- Financial literacy training programmes for youth and adults
- Workshops on budgeting, saving, debt management, and taxes
- Training professionals or volunteers to deliver financial education
- Converting offline tools into digital learning formats
- Translating financial education materials into accessible languages
- Adapting existing financial tools for new audiences
- Digital inclusion programmes focused on safe financial behaviour online
- Awareness campaigns promoting financial rights and responsibilities
Projects should demonstrate practical, real-world financial skill development.
How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Identify Target Group
Define the vulnerable population your project will support.
Step 2: Select or Adapt Financial Tools
Use existing financial education resources or tools as a foundation.
Step 3: Design Project Approach
Develop:
- Learning activities
- Training or outreach model
- Digital or offline delivery methods
- Expected outcomes
Step 4: Define Impact Metrics
Include:
- KPIs (e.g., number of participants, improved financial skills)
- Behavioural or knowledge improvements
- Accessibility improvements
Step 5: Submit Application
Submit a structured proposal including budget, timeline, and impact plan.
Step 6: Evaluation and Selection
Projects are assessed on:
- Social impact
- Relevance to financial inclusion
- Innovation in tool usage or adaptation
- Sustainability and scalability
Key Focus Areas
- Financial literacy and education
- Financial inclusion and accessibility
- Digital financial skills development
- Socio-economic empowerment
- Youth and vulnerable group support
- Employment-linked financial resilience
- Expansion of proven educational tools
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Creating entirely new tools instead of building on existing ones
- Weak or missing KPI definitions
- Lack of focus on vulnerable groups
- Overly broad or non-measurable project goals
- Ignoring digital inclusion aspects
- Poor explanation of tool adaptation or dissemination strategy
Tips for a Strong Application
- Build clearly on existing financial education tools
- Focus on measurable behavioural change (not just awareness)
- Demonstrate strong reach into vulnerable communities
- Include digital and offline accessibility strategies
- Provide realistic, outcome-based KPIs
- Show how your project can be replicated or scaled
- Collaborate with partners to extend impact
Why This Programme Matters
The ING Fund: What The Finance 2026 plays an important role in:
- Reducing financial exclusion in vulnerable populations
- Improving long-term financial independence and resilience
- Supporting social and economic integration in Belgium
- Strengthening digital financial safety and awareness
- Enhancing employment readiness through financial skills
- Expanding access to practical financial education tools
It helps individuals gain the knowledge and confidence needed to manage everyday financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum funding available?
Up to €50,000 per project.
Who can apply?
Non-profits, educational institutions, social organisations, and community groups in Belgium.
Who is excluded from applying?
Companies, political organisations, unions, and municipalities are not eligible.
What is the main goal of the fund?
To improve financial literacy, inclusion, and resilience among vulnerable groups.
What types of projects are preferred?
Projects that expand or adapt existing financial education tools.
Are digital projects encouraged?
Yes, digital financial inclusion and online learning tools are strongly supported.
Do projects need KPIs?
Yes, clear KPIs and measurable outcomes are strongly encouraged.
Conclusion
The King Baudouin Foundation ING Fund: What The Finance 2026 supports impactful financial literacy initiatives that empower vulnerable people in Belgium. By funding scalable, tool-based education projects, it strengthens financial inclusion, builds resilience, and helps individuals develop long-term financial independence.
For more information, visit King Baudouin Foundation.