Who we are ?

A need for alternatives

Since the early 1990s, life expectancy in Belgium has been steadily increasing¹. As a result, the proportion of older people within the Belgian population continues to grow. According to Towards a Healthy Belgium, 1 in 5 Belgians is currently aged 65 or older—that’s more than 2.35 million people². By 2050, this proportion will exceed 25%, meaning that 1 in 4 Belgians will be considered a senior³.

Among all Belgians aged 65 and over, 36% live alone⁴, which means that no fewer than 848.000 seniors are affected⁵. Thus, nearly 4 in 10 Belgians aged 65 and over face a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness. Of the 2.35 million Belgians aged 65 and over, 46% report feeling lonely⁶, while 23% are officially recognised as socially isolated⁷. In addition, 15.8% of this age group is at risk of monetary poverty⁸, further increasing the likelihood of a decline in their health.

At the economic level, the long-term budgetary cost of ageing is estimated at 3.8 percentage points of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2023 and 2050⁹. Based on Belgium's GDP in 2023 (€584.7 billion)¹⁰, we can estimate that the budgetary cost of ageing over this period will be around €22 billion.

In addition to these many challenges lies the issue of ageism-related¹¹ stereotypes. We often assume that older people are frail, dependent, unable to adapt to new technologies, and a burden on society.¹² Yet some seniors embark on "new activities such as further education, a new career or a long-neglected passion. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities. Yet the extent of these opportunities and contributions depends heavily on one factor: health."¹³

Although Belgian public policies have already addressed this issue and strategies have been developed to assist older people in need, these actions are not sufficient to meet all demands. The WHO also highlights that population ageing is a global phenomenon with profound implications for society as a whole—affecting older people, younger generations and the working population. It is a global challenge that requires the mobilisation of all sectors of society to ensure respectful and equitable coexistence between generations.¹⁴

Thus, our country needs societal adaptation and greater awareness to achieve respectful intergenerational coexistence.

Development

To ensure the dignity and quality of life of older adults, the be.Source Foundation is committed to three key areas of solidarity that are crucial for their well-being. These areas have been defined based on the concrete needs identified by our partners among beneficiaries and are grounded in the top three levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, namely belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. This approach anchors our actions in a deep understanding of the realities experienced by older adults and enables us to respond in a targeted way to what truly contributes to their overall well-being.

Social inclusion

Through the creation of companionship duos, home visits, group activities and leisure opportunities, as well as the availability of nearby community spaces, this pillar supports all forms of social engagement that help older people protect themselves from social isolation, strengthen their sense of belonging, foster emotional and social bonds, interact with those around them, and participate actively in community life.

Transparency

be.Source applies a policy of transparency in management both internally, regarding decision-making, and externally, concerning partnerships.