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JBC is not just another Belgian clothing chain. It is a warm family business actively working for a better world for children. For instance, they have been a partner of OVWB for several years. They act as a collection point for the laptops of our Heartware project as well as financially supporting several Colourful Fests. CEO Ann Claes elaborates on their motivation. Familial is in our DNA "In 2021, my brother and I became acquainted with OVWB. They introduced us to their Heartware project and we immediately felt a match. JBC is known for children's clothing and targets young families with children. So when it comes to children, it touches us just a little deeper. We are a family business where the third generation is already fully on board. 'From families for families' is our slogan. So meaning something for families aligns with our DNA." "We act as a collection point where people can bring in their old laptops. With 115 retail outlets across Belgium, there is always a JBC nearby. The collected laptops go to our central warehouse in Houthalen, from where they are passed on to OVWB. A partner of theirs then reconditions the devices so that they can be distributed to children and families who need them most." The importance of leisure and culture in integration "It is important to realise that we have it good here. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. We therefore think it is essential that everyone gets equal opportunities and that we can contribute to that." "Besides our role as a collection point, we have also co-sponsored two editions of the ColourfulFest. A valuable initiative at school where recreation and culture take centre stage. Because in families with limited financial resources, the fun activities - such as sports, leisure and culture - are often the first to fall by the wayside, while it is precisely those experiences that contribute to integration and well-being." Close, warm involvement "What makes the partnership with OVWB so special is the commitment. We know each other well and know exactly what happens with our support. The people on the board are also actively involved themselves, either financially or by rolling up their sleeves." "We see tangible results and have direct contact with the people who take action. We hear how many families have been helped by a laptop so their children can follow along at school. We watch footage from the ColourfulFest, where children are visibly enjoying themselves. That creates genuine satisfaction." "So my message to entrepreneurs who are still hesitating to get involved in the fight against underprivilege is: just do it. It makes you happier yourself if you mean something to someone else. That has even been scientifically proven."

Have you known Yannick yet? A regular, warm force at OVWB - Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium. You can read exactly what his role entails and what drives him here. More than raising funds "In my work, I always try to touch hearts. I build lasting relationships with donors, sponsors and partners, and listen to what drives them. By sharing stories and bringing people closer to our mission, I show that every contribution - no matter how small - can make a tangible difference." "What gives me the most satisfaction? When, after our conversation, someone understands how deep and wide opportunity poverty intervenes, and recognises that it is almost impossible for a child to break out of that vicious cycle without help." Why Yannick is committed "I know from my own past how difficult it is to grow up with fewer opportunities and with pains that you carry with you throughout your life. A child does not choose which family they end up in. And yet that start often determines everything. This is precisely why I feel so strongly that we cannot let young people go. Without support, they risk being excluded, remaining insecure and stuck in the same pattern as their parents." Finding balance "Since the founding of OVWB, I have been involved, first as a volunteer and later as a full-time fundraiser for a year. But that full-time commitment weighed heavily on me, including emotionally. That's why I've been combining my commitment part-time since May. That gives me space to keep my own balance while continuing to give my energy to what drives me most: giving children the perspective of a warmer future. " Sustainable support together "Our new strategy makes our impact much more tangible. Not fleeting drops, but stains that stay. We do not support children once, but structurally and sustainably for several years. This gives them a real chance to write their future differently." "All our partners are indispensable in this - from the donors who contribute financially, to the logistical and administrative support. Our focus is stronger than ever on structural, warm partnerships. Because without resources, we cannot grow. And growing means: giving more children in disadvantaged poverty a voice and making them feel that they too belong." Would you like to help make a difference? "Would you also like to support children in underprivileged circumstances? Feel free to contact us - together we will see how we can strengthen each other."

Patrick Steenssens heads TD Synnex's Benelux Region and Logistics Europe. A warm IT distribution company where they are happy to use their specialisation to contribute to our Heartware project. How exactly they do that and why they find it so important? We'll let Patrick tell you that himself. 'I have now been working at TD Synnex for 23 years. I started in the logistics department. I am currently SVP for Benelux and, since last year, also for the logistics operations in Europe. A role that I enjoy performing and from which I can also do my bit.' Unburdening partner in refurbishing laptops 'TD Synnex has now been a partner of Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium's Heartware project for more than five years. Founder Mark Lens invited me to attend a meeting of theirs and I really liked it. We quickly looked at how we could move into operational tasks with TD Synnex. Meanwhile, we provide logistical support. OVWB brings laptops to us, we remove the data, check if they are fit for a second life and install new software and any battery so they are fully ready for use.' 'In addition, we sponsor the organisation. Several times a year I attend member meetings to see what we can do. And so I am immediately informed about all the other initiatives. This is also where it becomes clear again and again that OVWB is a structured organisation with a professional set-up. They attract an interesting group of committed people from different corners and backgrounds.' Social and environmental aspect 'In our company, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is high on the agenda. It is an essential part of our business operations. In the first two aspects, the Heartware project already fits in perfectly. Environmental, because single-use laptops are not simply thrown away, but reused. After all, the waste mountain created by these devices is huge. And Social, because the laptops go to people who really need them.' How OVWB goes beyond just handing out laptops 'OVWB, as an organisation, provides a full framework from existing CSOs, when reusing laptops. They don't just give the devices to people in underprivileged areas, they also offer individual support. So everyone knows how to use a laptop, because that's not a given. That's what I find so strong about them. They make sure the total picture is right.' 'We definitely plan to continue this initiative. Together with OVWB, we are looking at how we can accelerate even more.' Warm feeling of gratitude 'Charlotte, OVWB's operations manager, often shares positive results with us. That is heartwarming. I once took action myself. With five laptops, I stepped into a primary school in my village. The children to whom these were allocated were so grateful. When I met them later on the street, they gave me a warm hug. Then you realise all the more what you are doing it for. Together with OVWB, we ensure that every child can use a laptop at home. That way they don't fall behind digitally compared to other children in the class.' 'Meanwhile, I know that behind every laptop to be refurbished in our warehouse will be a warm story. When you know that we have since given thousands of laptops a new life, you know that the need is and remains high.' 'To other entrepreneurs who hesitate to commit to an organisation like Entrepreneur For a Warm Belgium, I would say: stop hesitating! The impact you create by being a sponsor or offering operational support is improbable. For us, it is a small effort to unburden them and the outcome is incredible. OVWB is also a local organisation, so you see where your help ends up.' 'My respect for the staff of Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium is great. They work every day with extraordinary perseverance to make the world a better place. And that is something we are happy to contribute to. We must do everything we can to minimise the digital divide.'

Hilde Verboven is headmaster at Saigo Sterrenbos. A warm school for special education in Mol, where Evi Sannen also works as a speech therapist and is responsible for the GOK policy (policy for equal educational opportunities). Both will elaborate on the cooperation with OVWB and its importance for the children. From soup distribution to warm, structural cooperation Hilde: "We first came into contact with Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium in September 2023. We were already doing soup distribution at our school for a fee, but thanks to an OVWB initiative we were able to offer it for free. In June 2024, they themselves contacted us again because they wanted structural cooperation. A very pleasant surprise!" Evi: "We sat down with them regularly to discuss how we could use their support on the 3 pillars of food, culture and ICT. And beautiful initiatives were already coming out of that. For instance, at school we give our children free soup, fruit and a snack at set times. We also already received laptops from OVWB, which we distributed to the families most in need." Hilde: "The pupils obviously appreciate this very much already, but what they like most are the trips we go on thanks to the financial support. For instance, we do bus trips, we go to a theatre performance and we already made a trip to the ice rink. Activities they would never do otherwise. Things that we take for granted - like a train ride or skating rink - are quite an experience for them." Children's well-being and feeling safe Evi: "What we value highly is that children feel good at our school. Well-being is the most important thing there is. When they feel good, they can learn better and make strides in their development. We will soon monitor this even better with the app Appwel, which measures well-being." Hilde: "Thanks to the initiatives, our pupils not only feel good at our school, but also safe. Sometimes children arrive in the morning who haven't eaten. Before, they wouldn't have said so, now they do dare to express that they are hungry. Then we find a solution. This gives them more peace and security. They know they can come here, that there is a place where we listen to them and help them." Greater chance of development and integration in society Evi: "The aim of our school is to get students ready to participate in our everyday society. To give them that independence. That is also why OVWB's support is so important. You learn at school, but you learn so much more by going out, by not being hungry in class and by doing your homework on a laptop. This increases their chances of integrating into society." Hilde: "The experiences pupils gain now, they carry with them throughout their lives. Their cultural backpack gets bigger and their chances of development are stronger because they can do all these things. We also notice that the need is increasing and the gap is widening. There is a real need for what we do at our school. And the gratitude of the children and parents is enormous."

Charlotte D'halewin has been operations manager at Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium since February 2022. Her role? To tackle, coordinate and strengthen projects that tackle disadvantaged poverty. From where does the passion to fight disadvantage come and how can we make a difference together? She tells you herself. The sense of 'belonging' "I work closely with schools, partners, and our team to provide structural and sustainable solutions for children and young people in vulnerable situations. OVWB's mission touches me deeply because I grew up in a financially vulnerable family myself." "When you grow up as a child in such a family, dealing with the stress of home is already a challenge. Then when you get to school, you just want to be 'one of them'. You don't want to be reminded that you can't go on a school trip or don't have a laptop. That sense of belonging and having equal opportunities is so important. That's what drives me to enjoy doing what I do every day." Proven, measurable impact of OVWB "What inspires me in my role is the visible impact of our work. Whether it's a child participating better at school thanks to a laptop or a ColourfulFest that brings everyone together. Those moments show that we really do make a difference." "I see how children gain more self-confidence, have better opportunities at school, and how families have to worry less about basic needs. It gives me satisfaction to see that we can be a pillar of support for these families." "We measure our impact through quantitative data as well as qualitative stories and feedback. From next school year, thanks to our partnership with PXL, we will tackle this even more objectively and scientifically based. With the Appwel tool, we measure pupils' well-being in schools. Based on these figures, we can take targeted actions to promote their well-being." Together we make a difference in the fight against deprivation "Collaborations are essential to our success. Not only do they bring resources and expertise, they also make it possible to build something structural and sustainable. By collaborating with schools, local entrepreneurs and other organisations, our initiatives are not temporary solutions but have lasting impact on children." "There are several ways to support us. Companies can donate laptops that we refurbish thanks to our Heartware project and distribute them to children who need them. They can also assist financially or use their employees as volunteers to work on our projects." "Our biggest dream? To give every child equal opportunities, regardless of their background or situation. Creating a future where no one feels excluded or misses out on opportunities. We cannot realise this dream alone. It requires a joint effort from schools, businesses, donors, volunteers and our team to make this vision a reality." Warm stories "One story that will always stay with me is that of a little boy who told me that he wanted to go to an amusement park, but his mum never has the money for it. I heard this through a teacher who called me just before Christmas. Thanks to our efforts, this little boy was able to go on an outing during the Christmas holidays. Such a story reminds me why our work is so important." "Another great example is the cooperation with Saigo primary school in Mol. In this school, we support children in several areas. We make sure they get a nutritious meal every day, provide laptops with guidance around digital resilience and organise workshops for parents to strengthen their digital skills. In addition, every child can join us on outings, so that no one feels left out."

IDEA Consult is a warm consultancy firm that assists our partners in the field of sustainability. So they can continue to donate and help eliminate poverty. SDG Coordinator Birgit Verspeek explains how exactly. From government to SME "IDEA Consult has been around for about 25 years; we are a consultancy for local governments and all government bodies. One of our spearheads is sustainability. We see this broadly: from biodiversity, CO2 reduction and open space preservation to circular economy, short chain, participation, social welfare and underprivileged people. This is where we find our link with OVWB." "As SDG Coordinator, I and my team are responsible for making IDEA Consult a sustainable organisation internally and for bringing other companies into the sustainability story, both profit and non-profit. Recently, the sustainability branch has its own brand and website. IDEA Consult works largely on behalf of the government, but at IDEA Sustainability we also work for SMEs and large companies." Tools for Warm Organisations "We recently started helping the organisations that support Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium. Many companies see sustainability as something extra that comes on top of their tasks. But we look with them to see how they can already incorporate it into their mission, vision and core tasks. So that every action they take is inherently sustainable." "The collaboration with OVWB plays a crucial role here, especially in times of CSRD sustainability reporting. Previously, donating to charities was considered a sustainable act, but since the introduction of CSRD rules, this is no longer self-evident. There is a risk that companies will stop contributing as a result, because these actions can no longer be reported as sustainable. We absolutely want to avoid that. That is why we support OVWB partners by developing procedures and standard documents so that philanthropy becomes an integrated part of their sustainability strategy. This way, they not only continue to contribute to poverty alleviation, but also show the outside world that they are really making an impact." "We provide a Toolbox that organsiations can use to start or deepen their sustainability story. In it they will find tools to give donations to OVWB a place in their sustainability CSRD/USME reporting. Of course, they can always contact us for further questions and guidance. By giving them these tools, we ensure that OVWB partners are allowed to continue donating and show to the rest of the world that they are committed to addressing underprivileged poverty." Keep spreading the sustainability story "Besides the organisations supporting OVWB, we also guide a lot of public organisations. Through the PCA2030 trajectories we organise as a partner of CIFAL Flanders, we help the public sector become pioneers in sustainability." "In addition, we want to go even further. Together with companies within the OVWB network, we are looking at how they can contribute to a sustainable and resilient world in other ways. At the same time, we support them in creating resilient and sustainable operations within their own organisations. Through this approach, we not only help companies make an impact outside their walls, but also ensure they are stronger internally in a changing world." "Our partnership with OVWB gives us the opportunity to support a warm and committed network. Together, we are expanding the sustainability story and inspiring companies to combine philanthropy and sustainability. This is how we work towards a resilient and resilient society ready for the future."

For some 30 years, the Warm Reception Group Grimbergen has been committed to helping refugees in their region. In doing so, they can use any kind of support. At OVWB, we were able to give them some laptops thanks to our Heartware project. Chairman Edwy De Valck and communications manager Leo Van Dorsselaer are happy to elaborate. Edwy: "Reception group Grimbergen is a group of 15 volunteers who welcome refugees. In short: the refugees arrive and we are informed via the local social service. We offer extra guidance, tell them where the shop is, the doctor, the pharmacist, explain to them waste sorting and so on." Leo: "The refugees who arrive here from war zones often carry traumatic experiences with them. Here they enter a completely different culture. We guide them through their first steps into our world. We help them to build a livable existence with the modest financial means at their disposal. Edwy: "Among other things, we set up a social grocery shop, our 'Winkel Welkom'. Here, people in disadvantaged poverty, not just refugees, can buy necessary food at a lower price." The importance of integration Edwy: "Leisure, sports and culture are important elements in terms of integration. But membership fees of sports clubs are high. Thanks to subsidies and donations, the reception group has modest financial resources. We use these for part of the membership fees. This way, children can, for instance, take part in sports or culture and are not excluded. It is so important that they integrate and come into contact with other children." Leo: "We also put in a penny when extra school expenses are needed. When a school organises forest, sea or snow classes, for example, refugee children cannot always join in. But absolutely no discrimination is allowed here, so we do everything possible - in cooperation with the school - to allow them to go anyway. Edwy: "We assist the parents so that they quickly find work. Learning Dutch is hugely important here. We are strongly committed to that." Warm Heartware initiative Edwy: "Because we are in contact with the schools where the children and young people go, we quickly found out that laptops are an essential element in an education programme. That's how we came into contact with Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium. Many parents have smartphones, but they are not suitable for doing homework on." Leo: "Thanks to the Heartware project, we received 12 refurbished laptops from OVWB. We didn't just hand these out. We selected families with school-age children. During an Easter celebration, designed to promote mutual contact between refugees, the youngsters were allowed to receive the laptops. While doing so, ''Digidokters'' - voluntary IT specialists who guide people in installing apps and programmes - showed them around. Edwy: "The cooperation with Entrepreneurs for a Warm Belgium went very smoothly. They communicated openly and directly, with short lines of communication. Something we really appreciated. The delivery was also taken care of, for example all laptops received a new carrying case and an external mouse." Local needs at disadvantage Edwy: "The families who received a laptop were overjoyed. Now the children can use the laptop to do their school tasks. We are enormously grateful to Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium for giving us that opportunity. When we now see people back who we helped 20 years ago, they are still very grateful. And we are sure it will be the same with this laptop project. We are already looking forward to further cooperation."

The Bilzen company Quiso has already organised several hot initiatives to fight against underprivileged people. Marketing staff N. and A. would like to tell you which ones they are and what role OVWB plays in them. N.: "Quiso is a company in Bilzen and we supply freezer-fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals to anyone who wants a ready meal in their home at any time. It is intended for people who have little time or people who can no longer cook for themselves. A. and I are jointly responsible for marketing at Quiso." Role of Quiso within the food sector A.: Our business manager Philip Boden has been committed to underprivileged children all his life and supports numerous warm projects, including orphans in Ukraine. He also cooperates with Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium for the empty breadbox campaign. We as a company in the food sector think that is a very important project to put our shoulders to the wheel, because we are at the source of nutritious food and we think it is important that everyone - and certainly children - have access to it." Hot brainstorms A.: "We organised a brainstorm in the company to see what initiatives we can all undertake and what we can do as a company in the food industry. In terms of meals, we can of course do a lot, but we can also make a financial contribution. For example, we had the idea of giving customers the opportunity to donate an amount at the end of an ordering process, so that we can double the amount and pass it on in full to Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium." N.: "This project means a lot to us. Philip told us that 1 in 4 Flemish children go to school with an empty lunch box or with a lunch box that is not filled with nutritious food. I think it's important that children can eat nutritious food. Not only children by the way, but everyone. Because that's where everything starts, health is hugely important today." Human initiatives N.: "I think you can take many initiatives to create equal opportunities. For instance, I remember an initiative from Lommel. These are people who are less well off themselves, but they just put a cupboard in front of their door where people who are less well off can get a supply from. Of course, there are many other initiatives, but it is important that it does not only come from companies, also from people like all of us."

Ligo runs tailor-made courses for low-literate adults. A while ago, they started the BENO programme, a switching programme for young people leaving OKAN education (reception class for foreign-language newcomers). For this, the Kempen department entered into a warm cooperation with us. ICT coordinator Jef Van den Broeck and teacher David Staes tell you more about it. Biggest challenges David: "One of the biggest challenges within Ligo Kempen's BENO project is that the group of pupils consists entirely of people with refugee status. They come from different countries, such as Somalia and Eritrea, so they have different backgrounds. Some even come from countries where the education system is non-existent. Besides the content of our lessons, we as teachers also have to teach them to deal with our processes." Jef: "The group is also very diverse in terms of learning background. For example, just because they have a certain language level doesn't mean they achieve the same level in ICT. In our ICT lessons, which we teach in Dutch, it is therefore a big challenge to get someone who doesn't know our language completely on board with how laptops work." Found each other in the BENO project Jef: "Through our opposite neighbours vzw T'ANtWOORD I came into contact with Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium. We felt a strong need among the course participants to have their own laptop. So OVWB gave our BENO youngsters their own laptop which they used to get to work. They were really eager to explore the digital path further. " David: "It was very handy that they had their own laptop, because then we could teach them all the software on it, and how to do folder division, for example. Today, we also borrow laptops from the Digibank. Our trainees then get these for 1 year. Here I then teach them earlier how to work in a browser environment, so that when they have to hand over their laptop again after that year, they still have everything available in an account on their smartphone or future laptop." Warm view of the future David: "The fight for digital inclusion encompasses several pillars. And it is wonderful that OVWB supports 1 of those pillars, namely providing the resources. Besides my job at Ligo Kempen, I am active as a volunteer at the Digipunt in my village. And that's also where course participants come to practise on their laptops. In fact, we teach the volunteers at these Digipoints, so that they know how best to deal with people who are slower learners." Jef: "The great thing is that we and OVWB have found each other. They want to do more than just hand out devices, they really want to create impact with vulnerable target groups. For example, in a school in Mol I will see how we can give workshops to parents of children who receive appliances. So it remains a nice, warm collaboration: they provide the logistics and support, we provide the training and create form. Hopefully we can pull this further from local to Flemish level. There is a lot of potential in this."

Hestia is a thoroughly Mols, fourth-generation family business with a five-part operation: property development, construction, leasing, acquisitions and internal renovations. They convey that family feeling by supporting various warm initiatives. Director and employee Liesbeth Eysermans explains. "I am the youngest cooperating scion in the family business. My range of tasks is quite diverse. If I were to send you an e-mail, my signature would say: Liesbeth Eysermans, patrimony management, commercialisation and creativity." Sponsoring what matters "Fundamentally changing things is no easy task. We are not the most allocated party for that either. But what we have always done until now is to sponsor things we think are important." "For instance, there are our 'Hestia loves you' projects where the focus is on giving back to the community. These include donating away household effects and innovatively filling temporarily empty spaces. These include projects when a property is declared bankrupt or where there is a problem and the business still has a lot of equipment, furniture or stock. Then we donate those items away to people who can use it. We also once sold a household contents and donated the proceeds to the Fourth World Work in Mol." Partnership with OVWB "The most recent action we took was to enter into a partnership with Entrepreneurs For a Warm Belgium. OVWB is our perfect partner in sharing-crime because of its transparent, local operation where we were specifically asked to do something for children in the numerous Mol schools. With this support, we offer equal opportunities to children and young people from vulnerable families." Warm heart for local projects "We from Hestia have a very warm heart for the project, especially because it also has local anchoring. That was very important to us. After all, we deliberately work mainly in Mol. We also all live in Mol. Our core business is housing and making sure people can live there, which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with buildings. Also making sure Mol becomes more beautiful in lots of ways. This can then hopefully be a new interpretation of that."