Fedasil used International Volunteer Day (5 December) to salute the 1,900 volunteers who support daily life in Belgium’s 105 reception centres. In a statement released on 4 December, the federal agency underlined that volunteers provide homework help, language classes, cultural orientation and basic maintenance—services staff cannot always cover because of budget cuts and persistent over-capacity.
Ruth de Ruijter, Fedasil’s volunteer coordinator, noted that centres depend on a core group of long-standing helpers but continually need fresh recruits as enthusiasm wanes over time. Recruitment drives now tap platforms such as ‘Give a Day’ and vrijwilligerswerk.be, and social-media campaigns will run through December. Fedasil invites Belgians to commit as little as one morning a week, emphasising there are “no special skills required—only patience and an open attitude.”
![Belgium marks Volunteer Day, highlighting 1,900 helpers sustaining asylum reception network]()
Belgium’s reception network is operating at record capacity—over 36,000 beds—yet still leaves some 2,600 single men on a waiting list. Volunteers therefore play a crucial role in safeguarding minimum living standards and forging links between centres and local communities. Their presence also mitigates reputational risks for employers and municipalities hosting large migrant populations by promoting smoother integration and reducing the likelihood of social tensions.
For global-mobility managers, engagement opportunities with Fedasil can form part of a corporate social-responsibility strategy while also offering practical benefits: mentoring schemes, language tutoring or sponsorship of sports and cultural events can accelerate the integration of employees’ dependants and create goodwill with local authorities that process work and residence permits.
Multinationals are encouraged to circulate the volunteer call internally and explore paid-volunteer-leave policies, which can improve employee engagement and strengthen corporate reputation in Belgium’s tight labour market. Practical steps include liaising with Fedasil’s volunteer coordinators to match staff skills with centre needs, arranging group volunteering days, and supporting fundraising drives for educational materials and digital-inclusion projects.
Ruth de Ruijter, Fedasil’s volunteer coordinator, noted that centres depend on a core group of long-standing helpers but continually need fresh recruits as enthusiasm wanes over time. Recruitment drives now tap platforms such as ‘Give a Day’ and vrijwilligerswerk.be, and social-media campaigns will run through December. Fedasil invites Belgians to commit as little as one morning a week, emphasising there are “no special skills required—only patience and an open attitude.”
Belgium’s reception network is operating at record capacity—over 36,000 beds—yet still leaves some 2,600 single men on a waiting list. Volunteers therefore play a crucial role in safeguarding minimum living standards and forging links between centres and local communities. Their presence also mitigates reputational risks for employers and municipalities hosting large migrant populations by promoting smoother integration and reducing the likelihood of social tensions.
For global-mobility managers, engagement opportunities with Fedasil can form part of a corporate social-responsibility strategy while also offering practical benefits: mentoring schemes, language tutoring or sponsorship of sports and cultural events can accelerate the integration of employees’ dependants and create goodwill with local authorities that process work and residence permits.
Multinationals are encouraged to circulate the volunteer call internally and explore paid-volunteer-leave policies, which can improve employee engagement and strengthen corporate reputation in Belgium’s tight labour market. Practical steps include liaising with Fedasil’s volunteer coordinators to match staff skills with centre needs, arranging group volunteering days, and supporting fundraising drives for educational materials and digital-inclusion projects.
