BUT2030 – Building Belgium’s Inclusive Future - A Multi-Stakeholder Effort for Multicultural Diversity
BUT2030 is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by CSR Europe in collaboration with the King Baudouin Foundation and the Prince Philippe Fund. Its mission is to advance multicultural diversity and inclusion in the Belgian labour market by supporting companies in designing, implementing, and monitoring inclusive business practices.
Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has united companies, sector federations, and employees with non-EU backgrounds to exchange insights, test tools, and formalise shared commitments. Two phases have already been completed, resulting in practical deliverables such as a business model for inclusive employment, a best practice booklet, and a multicultural D&I assessment. A major milestone was reached in May 2024, when companies and federations signed a joint pledge for multicultural inclusion at the Royal Palace.
Now entering its third phase, BUT2030 is shifting its focus to impact delivery: supporting organisations in translating their commitments into concrete actions and measurable progress. By 2028, the project aims to bring together 100 leading companies and federations into a true Coalition of the Willing, empowering multicultural talents and strengthening Belgium’s future workforce.
Why This Matters Now.
The project takes on even greater importance against the backdrop of today’s geopolitical and market realities. Belgian employers are facing a “war for talent” in an ageing society, yet significant pools of skilled people remain underutilised. More than 30% of Belgium’s population has a migration background, yet non-EU nationals continue to face an employment rate 20–30% lower than native Belgians. Belgium remains, in fact, among the weakest performers in the EU for integrating non-EU migrants into the workforce, all while a UN body recently underlined the persistence of systemic racism in the country.
The business case for action is also strong: diverse companies are more resilient and innovative. Research shows that racially and ethnically diverse organisations are up to 35% more likely to outperform financially, while inclusive teams drive higher levels of creativity and innovation.
Priorities and Final Landing.
Building on its achievements so far, CSR Europe and its partners are structuring this new phase of BUT2030 around three priorities: scaling up by onboarding new federations and companies; supporting integration by helping participants deliver on their pledges; and uniting efforts through peer learning, shared recognition, and collective progress.
Through this collaborative effort, BUT2030 aims to move from exploration to delivery, and from individual commitments to systemic change. By mobilising companies, federations, and employees together, the project seeks to unlock underutilised talent, create fairer workplaces, and make multicultural inclusion a driver of Belgium’s competitiveness and social progress.
Upcoming BUT2030 Events:
10 September 2025 (online): Employee Resource Group Meeting
24 September 2025 (in person – Brussels): Sector Federations Meeting
4 December 2025 (in person – Brussels): Stakeholder Workshop, Building on Momentum
March 2026 (in person– Brussels): Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Sector Federations
Get Involved
If you are a company, sector federation, or stakeholder interested in contributing to a more inclusive and competitive Belgian labour market, we warmly invite you to join BUT2030.
Contact: me@csreurope.org
The more voices we bring to the table, the greater our shared impact can be.
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