Broederlijk Delen

Broederlijk Delen is a Belgian, Flemish-speaking aid and development organization whose work focuses on improving the living conditions and strengthening the rights of rural communities in Africa and Latin America, as well as in Israel and Palestine. It emerged in 1961 in response to famine in the Congolese Kasaï region. The Catholic Church initially called for donations during Lent to assist people affected by the crisis; the initiative subsequently developed into a permanent aid and development organization. The organization’s operating model places the plans and priorities of local rural populations at the center of development work. Rather than designing and running projects independently, Broederlijk Delen supports local initiatives and partner organizations that develop their own responses to poverty, exclusion, unequal access to land and resources, and conflict. The organization works with approximately 160 partner organizations across 13 countries, comprising six countries in Africa, six in Latin America, and operations in Israel and Palestine. Its international approach emphasizes locally led development, solidarity, participation, and long-term social change. Broederlijk Delen organizes its program around three broad themes: the right to food; sustainable management of natural resources; and participation and peace. These themes connect rural livelihoods with questions of land rights, food security, environmental stewardship, democratic participation, and conflict prevention. The organization’s work therefore combines financial support for partners in the Global South with public education and policy advocacy in Flanders. In Flanders, Broederlijk Delen is known especially for its annual fundraising and awareness campaign during Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter. The campaign raises funds for partner organizations while also encouraging the public to learn about inequality and take action in solidarity with affected communities. Its Flemish activities extend beyond fundraising to advocacy aimed at influencing policy and public debate on development, inequality, natural resources, peace, and participation. At the international level, Broederlijk Delen is a member of Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité, commonly known as CIDSE, an umbrella network of Catholic development agencies from Europe and North America. This affiliation places the organization within a wider international network concerned with development, social justice, ecological sustainability, and solidarity. Broederlijk Delen has been led by Thérèse Coens since 2011 according to the cited reference material. As an aid and development organization rather than a commercial consumer brand, its principal offerings are development partnerships, grants or financial support to partner organizations, public campaigns, awareness work, and policy advocacy. Its identity is consequently built around solidarity with rural communities and support for locally defined solutions rather than around physical products.

Broederlijk Delen was founded in 1961 after a famine in the Congolese Kasaï region prompted the Catholic Church to call for donations during Lent. What began as an emergency relief appeal developed into a permanent Flemish aid and development organization. Over time, its work moved beyond short-term relief toward long-term cooperation with rural communities and organizations in the Global South. The organization’s development philosophy gives local communities responsibility for defining priorities and shaping solutions. Broederlijk Delen generally works through partner organizations instead of initiating projects as an outside operator. These partners receive financial support and collaborate with the organization on issues affecting rural livelihoods, inequality, food access, natural resources, participation, and peace. The model reflects a broader shift in development practice from donor-led relief toward partnership, local ownership, and support for community-based change. Broederlijk Delen developed an international program covering 13 countries: six in Africa, six in Latin America, and Israel and Palestine. Its thematic framework centers on the right to food, sustainable management of natural resources, and participation and peace. These themes provide a common direction for work carried out in different political and social contexts while allowing local partners to determine specific priorities. The organization also established a substantial public and advocacy role in Flanders. Its annual Lenten campaign became the best-known expression of this work, combining fundraising with awareness-building and appeals for public action. Broederlijk Delen uses its Flemish platform to discuss inequality in rural areas and to advocate on development and justice-related policy questions. In 2016, the Lenten campaign raised 3.1 million euros. Internationally, Broederlijk Delen joined CIDSE, the network of Catholic development organizations from Europe and North America. Membership connects it with organizations pursuing related goals in international cooperation, social justice, ecological responsibility, and peace. According to the cited reference material, Thérèse Coens has led Broederlijk Delen since 2011. The organization remains an active development and solidarity agency whose identity combines financial support for local partners abroad with campaigning, education, and policy advocacy in Flanders.

• 2016

  Lenten campaign raises €3.1 million

  [1]Broederlijk Delenen.wikipedia.org

  Broederlijk Delen collected 3.1 million euros through its annual Lenten fundraising campaign.

• 2011

  Thérèse Coens begins leading the organization

  [1]Broederlijk Delenen.wikipedia.org

  Thérèse Coens has led Broederlijk Delen since 2011 according to the cited reference material.

• 1961

  Foundation following the Kasaï famine appeal

  [1]Broederlijk Delenen.wikipedia.org

  Broederlijk Delen was established as a relief organization after the Catholic Church appealed during Lent for aid to people affected by famine in the Congolese Kasaï region.

A Flemish aid and development organization positioned around solidarity with rural communities, locally led development, social justice, sustainable resource management, and peace. Its distinctive approach is to support local partner organizations rather than impose externally designed projects, while combining international development work with advocacy and public engagement in Flanders.

• Annual Lenten fundraising campaign

  Flanders

  Broederlijk Delen’s principal public campaign takes place during Lent, the 40 days before Easter. It combines fundraising for development partners with public education and encouragement to act in solidarity with rural communities affected by inequality.

  Outcome. The campaign is described as the organization’s Flemish high point of public activity. In 2016 it raised 3.1 million euros.

  Source

1. 1Broederlijk Delenen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Broederlijk Delen official websitebroederlijkdelen.be