Submissions open for Storm Fund in Belgium

The King Baudouin Foundation’s Storm Fund supports sustainable projects in Belgium near Storm wind farms, offering grants between €1,000 and €10,000. Eligible initiatives focus on biodiversity, environment, mobility, energy, and community engagement, with projects expected to start by summer 2026 and run one to two years. Applications close on 15 December 2025, with selected projects announced on 1 April 2026.

About the Storm Fund

The Storm Fund by the King Baudouin Foundation aims to promote sustainable development in communities near Storm wind farms. The fund encourages projects with measurable social and environmental impact, addressing challenges like biodiversity, energy transition, and sustainable mobility.

Eligible project themes include:

Biodiversity and Environment: Green meeting places, play forests, social vegetable gardens, water management initiatives, landscaping, tree planting
Mobility: Bicycle projects, shared and electric transportation
Energy and Sustainability: Energy poverty reduction, community advice, collective sustainable renovation projects

Projects must go beyond regular organizational activities, have clear objectives and action plans, and contribute to sustainability, including CO2 reduction, water conservation, soil management, and preservation of nature.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Non-profit organizations and social-purpose groups
Youth organizations and local associations
Schools and de facto associations operating in the listed municipalities near Storm wind farms
Local authorities collaborating with social-purpose organizations

Exclusions: Individual applicants, daily operational costs, legal or political files, and routine organizational activities.

Funding and Project Details

Grant Amount: €1,000 – €10,000 per project
Project Duration: One to two years, depending on project size and complexity
Start Date: Ready to start by summer 2026
Eligible Costs: All project-related costs clearly indicated in the financial plan
Sustainability Requirements: Projects must ensure long-term positive impact on the environment and community

Additional positive criteria include:

Long-term change and community benefit
Raising awareness about energy transition or sustainable habits
Active participation of members or target audiences
Demonstration of creativity or innovation

For sustainable renovation projects, applicants must demonstrate material investment value and active community involvement through neighbourhood engagement, collaborative design, and shared use of facilities.

How to Apply

Develop a Clear Action Plan: Define objectives, activities, and expected outcomes
Prepare a Transparent Financial Plan: Specify all project-related costs and justify the requested budget
Confirm Eligibility: Ensure the organization operates in eligible municipalities and meets social-purpose criteria
Submit Application Before Deadline: Applications must be received by 15 December 2025
Assessment and Notification: Applications will be assessed between January and March 2026; selected projects announced on 1 April 2026

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting applications from ineligible municipalities
Including non-project-related or operational costs
Failing to demonstrate community engagement or social impact
Lacking clear objectives or action plans
Ignoring sustainability criteria for environmental impact

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the Storm Fund?
Non-profits, youth organizations, local associations, schools, de facto associations, and local authorities collaborating with social-purpose organizations operating in eligible municipalities.

2. What types of projects are supported?
Projects focusing on biodiversity, environment, sustainable mobility, energy transition, and community engagement.

3. Are individual applicants eligible?
No, only organizations and collaborative municipal initiatives are eligible.

4. What is the funding range?
€1,000 to €10,000, depending on project scale.

5. When must projects start?
Projects must be ready to start by summer 2026.

6. Are routine operational costs eligible?
No, only costs directly related to the project are eligible.

7. How will projects be assessed?
Projects are evaluated on social impact, sustainability, community involvement, innovation, and clarity of objectives and financial planning.

Why This Fund Matters

The Storm Fund encourages sustainable development and community engagement near wind farms in Belgium. By supporting projects that address environmental challenges, energy transition, and mobility, it fosters innovation, local participation, and measurable social and ecological impact.

Conclusion

The King Baudouin Foundation Storm Fund offers a unique opportunity for organizations in Belgium to implement sustainable and socially impactful projects. By combining clear objectives, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, funded initiatives can create lasting benefits for local communities and the planet.