The legislative framework for Brussels' development cooperation
Since 2017, the Brussels-Capital Region has had a framework ordinance defining the principles, objectives and procedures of its development cooperation. This legal framework makes it possible to structure Brussels International's actions and strengthen coordination between the different levels of government involved in international solidarity.
A framework ordinance
Since 27 July 2017, an bhg.common.blank_link_warningordinance has set out the Region’s vision and strategic objectives for development cooperation. It also provides a framework for the implementation of Brussels’ development cooperation policy.
This ordinance provides a structure for Brussels International’s cooperation initiatives. It also encourages exchanges and the sharing of information on international solidarity initiatives between different public authorities:
- internally, with the governmental services (the bhg.common.external_link_warningBrussels Regional Public Service, bhg.common.external_link_warningtalent.brusselsbhg.common.external_link_warning, urban.brussels) and the bhg.common.external_link_warningautonomous administrative bodies of the Brussels-Capital Region;
- at local level, with the nineteen Brussels municipalities and their umbrella organisation, bhg.common.blank_link_warningBrulocalis;
- externally, with the Walloon Region and the Flemish Region, as well as the federal government.
Five implementation decrees
The framework ordinance is supplemented by five government decrees, which provide a number of clarifications:
- on the functioning of the Brussels regional cooperation committee (bhg.common.blank_link_warningRoyal Decree of 31 May 2018);
- on the organisation of the external evaluation of the Brussels cooperation (bhg.common.blank_link_warningRoyal Decree of 31 May 2018);
- on the arrangements for financing Brussels’ multilateral cooperation (bhg.common.blank_link_warningRoyal Decree of 31 May 2018);
- on the beneficiaries of the financing of Brussels’ multilateral cooperation (bhg.common.blank_link_warningRoyal Decree of 19 July 2018);
- and on the principles on which Brussels’ cooperation is based (bhg.common.blank_link_warningRoyal Decree of 24 January 2019).