What we do

In order to support the 4th Pillar, a 2009th Pillar Support Centre was established in January 4. The support centre was formed through a collaboration between the Flemish Government and the umbrella organisation of International Solidarity (11.11.11).

We offer support through:

• A database of Belgian 4th Pillar organisations
• Advice: manual and helpdesk
• Formations
• Networking moments
• Read our vision statement here

Database

On our website you will find a database with more than 950 4th Pillar organisations. Using the search function, you can find projects that are active in a specific country, work on a specific theme or are located in a specific region in Belgium. This way, you can get to know each other better and exchange tips and experiences. After all, we learn the most from each other. 

Thanks to this public database, the 4th Pillar becomes a network of experts. Because you too have knowledge or experiences that you can use to help someone else.

Register here certainly your organization, so that others can discover your initiative.

Design

In the online manual you will find a lot of practical information and answers to frequently asked questions: about your work in Belgium or in the world, about starting and stopping a project, about travelling, about financing for your project, ...

Can we help you with anything else? For all your questions about international solidarity, please contact our helpdeskYou can also contact the 4th Pillar Team by telephone, e-mail or to make an appointment for an orientation meeting. 

You can find our details on the Contact page. 

Formations

In order to support the 4th Pillar, the 2009th Pillar Support Centre was established in January 4. The support centre was formed through a collaboration between the then Flemish Agency for International Cooperation (VAIS) and the umbrella organisation of International Solidarity (11.11.11The 4th Pillar Support Point is now fully housed at 11.11.11 and receives an annual operating subsidy from the Flemish government and the province of Antwerp.

In 2019, the 4th Pillar Support Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary. The ideal moment to take another thorough look at our operations and think about the future. We did not do this alone, but with many 4th Pillar organisations, civil servants, federations, NGO employees and members of municipal councils for development cooperation.

In 2019, the 4th Pillar Support Center organized an extensive strategy exercise on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the support center. This resulted in the 'Inspiration Note 2020' as a framework for the 4th Pillar operation.  

Now, 5 years later, there are several reasons to review, evaluate and adjust that inspiration note:   

• The renewal of the collaboration of the 4th Pillar Support Centre with various authorities following new administrative terms in the Flemish government, provinces, cities and municipalities. 
• The design of a new DGD programme of 11.11.11 for the period from 2027 to 2031. 
• The progressive embedding of the 4th Pillar operation in the movement service of 11.11.11. 
• The ongoing evolution of the landscape for international solidarity in Flanders, to which the services of the 4th Pillar Support Centre would like to connect as closely as possible.  

So it was time for a new strategy exercise. We tackled it largely using the same methodology as in 2019: with an extensive survey and a number of focus groups with 4th Pillar organizations.

Various stakeholders of the 4th Pillar operation were involved in this future exercise:

• the 4th Pillar initiatives themselves
• local and provincial government officials
• employees of minority federations
• employees of organizations with which 11.11.11 collaborates within the framework of the 4th Pillar programme.

Positive assessment of the current operation 

In the first part, the building blocks of the current 4th Pillar operation were examined: the website, the helpdesk, the training offer, the meeting moments and the annual Day of the 4th Pillar. 

The survey and interviews show that the current operation of the 4th Pillar Support Point is highly appreciated and meets the needsThere is a clear demand to continue on the path taken. 

The main task of the 4th Pillar Support Centre therefore remains: Supporting 4th Pillar initiatives with a view to strengthening the quality of their projects and initiatives, both in Flanders and in the partner countries where they are active.  

Part of the International Solidarity Movement

As an umbrella organization for International Solidarity, 11.11.11 also appreciated steps to offer 4th Pillar organizations a full and active place within the Movement for International Solidarity. 

4th Pillar organizations are included in the General Assembly and the Board of Directors of 11.11.11. And there is an advisory 4th Pillar Panel (+250 members) as a sounding board for the 4th Pillar within the International Solidarity Movement. And there is an active steering group with 10 representatives who represent and represent the voice of 4th Pillar organizations. 

Since 2017, an 11-fund for 4th Pillar initiatives has also been established. This is part of the proceeds of the 11.11.11-campaign with which 11.11.11 annually, through a call for projects, financially supports more than 100 4th Pillar projects.

Vision and challenges for the coming years: Innovation and technology as a driver for sustainable partnerships

The world is changing rapidly, and international solidarity must evolve with it. Technology and innovation offer new opportunities to build sustainable and equal partnerships. Digitalisation, innovative communication and learning tools and innovative financing models strengthen the autonomy of local partners and increase the impact of projects.

11 challenges for the coming years

From this starting point we identified 11 challenges, which we take as our focus to achieve our 4^de To determine pillar operation during the coming years:

1. Betting on the strengthening of quality of international solidarity projects, with a focus on sustainability, equal partnership and innovation.

2. Strengthening networks and focusing on the sharing knowledge and experiences between 4th Pillar organizations and their partners.

3. 4th Pillar organizations strengthen on financial, structural and operationall flat, with attention to financial stability through diversification of income and more support from governments and companies in Flanders and in the partner countries.

4. Focused on the attracting new supporters and volunteers to increase and guarantee the impact and support of 4th Pillar organisations.

5. Administrative support to offer 4th Pillar organisations guidance in dealing with increasing administrative obligations and hurdles, both here and in the partner country.

6. Dand representatives of the Diaspora more actively involved in the International Solidarity Movement and provide additional support to realise their projects in their home countries. 

7. Critically looking and growing towards a contemporary volunteer work and internships abroad where all parties involved benefit and experience no harm.

8. 4th Pillar Organizations more firmly anchored in the International Solidarity Movement by involving them more closely in policy themes and stimulating collaboration, both in Flanders and in the partner countries.

9. Interpreting and amplifying the voice of the 4th Pillar among governments, stakeholders and the general public, and thus working together to achieve a committed local global operation.

10. Betting on a greater visibility of 4th Pillar initiatives to the general public, in order to emphasise their social relevance and impact.

11. Collaboration  in international and European networks to strengthen support for citizen initiatives for global solidarity in various countries.

It is not the case that all these challenges, and the concrete proposals that we link to them, can be immediately put into practice. The capacity and resources of the 4th Pillar Support Centre are too limited for that. But the 4th Pillar Support Centre will work strongly around these challenges and will always include themes such as equal partnership and innovation in its daily operations and in the broadening or deepening of the assignment of the 4th Pillar Support Centre.

The 4th Pillar Support Point is part of 11.11.11, works closely with the 5 Flemish provinces and with the support of the Flemish governmentIn Brussels we work together with Soliris.