40 years of developing leaders of tomorrow through worldwide entrepreneurship projects

Over the past 40 years, the Prince Albert Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, has played a crucial role in the development of nearly 600 young Belgian talents and the internationalisation of more than 300 Belgian companies. By giving these young professionals a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills through entrepreneurship projects outside Europe, the Fund has become a true career accelerator and a source of innovation. On 11 October, the Prince Albert Fund will celebrate its 40th anniversary and present the promising future prospects for the leaders of tomorrow, who also strive for social impact. On this occasion, Pieter Timmermans, CEO of the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium, will present the ‘FEB NextGen Leadership Award’ to a laureate of the Prince Albert Fund.

In our rapidly changing world, businesses and society need flexible, innovative, and curious leaders more than ever. These changemakers must be able to develop inspiring visions, make well-considered decisions, and manage risks while continually adapting to new circumstances. These crucial skills are not only learned at school or university but especially through valuable professional experiences.

To support the leaders of tomorrow and pioneering Belgian companies, the Prince Albert Fund was established in 1984 in honour of the 50th birthday of His Majesty Prince Albert. This initiative, started by the King Baudouin Foundation, the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium, and the cabinet of King Albert II, is today under the patronage of Princess Astrid.

Young entrepreneurs ready to conquer the world!

Since its inception, the Prince Albert Fund has strongly focused on learning and leadership development in an international context. Each year, young Belgian talents under the age of 30, after a rigorous selection process, get the chance to gain an intense and enriching professional experience abroad.

For 12 months, these highly qualified entrepreneurial profiles lead strategic projects for Belgian companies, providing real added value to the economy and realising their international ambitions. The candidates choose their project, company, and country of destination based on their personal ambitions and global opportunities.

During this unique experience, young talents are challenged both professionally and culturally. They work in dynamic environments that require flexibility and adaptability, quickly analysing new markets and devising creative, impactful solutions. The Prince Albert Fund supports them with training, mentorship, and guidance from participating companies. After their year abroad and obtaining an official diploma, the Fund continues to support them with ongoing training opportunities within the Alumni community, which also focuses on supporting and inspiring new recruits.

Impact

The Prince Albert Fund remains a driving force behind positive changes on a personal, economic, and social level!

• Personal and professional development: The Fund has significantly boosted the careers of nearly 600 young professionals. No less than 70% of them say that this experience has significantly accelerated their professional growth. Today, many of them hold key positions in management, consultancy, and entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship. On a personal level, most participants consider this experience one of the most memorable moments of their lives.
• Economic impact: Thanks to nearly 600 entrepreneurship projects outside Europe, about 300 Belgian companies, including an increasing number of start-ups, have been able to spread their wings internationally. This has significantly strengthened their competitiveness in the increasingly challenging global market.
• Social impact: Every project carried out for Belgian partner companies has contributed to achieving sustainable development goals. Whether it concerns health and well-being, sustainable infrastructure, climate change, circularity, or responsible production, these projects make a positive and lasting impact on various sectors.

Evolution

Over the past 40 years, the number of participants in the Fund has grown spectacularly, from a maximum of 15 to 30 per year. Where women were hardly represented in the early years, we have seen an impressive change over the past ten years: a perfect balance of 50% women and 50% men.

Although the mission of the Fund has remained unchanged, we have seen the evolution of Belgian companies in their response to global challenges over the years. Moreover, we see the ambitious new generations striving for greater social impact.

Diversification of projects: In addition to traditional commercial missions, which still make up 50 to 60% of the projects, more and more participants are focusing on innovative and social projects (40%). Think of digital transformation, sustainability, and support for vulnerable communities.

Diversification of companies: Where participants used to mainly choose large companies, they now also focus on start-ups (42%) and SMEs (21%), especially scale-ups in digital technology or with a social impact.

• Diversification of sectors: In addition to traditional sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, industry, and materials, digitalisation (33%) and social enterprises (33%) are attracting more and more participants. In 2024, the Fund even supported a pilot project with the NGO Louvain Coopération in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
• Diversification of countries: Traditionally, Asia (40%) and the United States (30%) are the most popular continents for participants. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, interest in China has decreased, while the United States has gained popularity. Notably, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania have made significant progress.

In the future, the Prince Albert Fund aims to continue its mission to support the development of new generations of leaders and contribute to more sustainable and just societies in Belgium and the world.

Quotes

Pieter Timmermans, CEO of the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium: “Through its support for the Prince Albert Fund (PAF), the FEB aims to build bridges between young people, entrepreneurship, and our internationally active companies, thereby contributing to Belgium’s international reputation. I am therefore pleased to further anchor that support on the occasion of the PAF’s 40th anniversary by launching the ‘FEB NextGen Leadership Award’. Thanks to this award, the laureate can finance appropriate training that will give his or her career an extra boost.”

Emmanuel Caeymaex, Chief Commercial Officer & Head of Patient Impact at UCB, Chairman and former laureate of the Prince Albert Fund: “The mission of the Prince Albert Fund has always been and will always remain: to provide a unique learning and personal development experience. Many alumni compare this experience to an ‘applied’ MBA, a year in which they forge their leadership skills and develop the essential skills for the future. A perfect mix of analytical thinking, creativity, resilience, agility, curiosity, and a lifelong thirst for learning: indispensable qualities for any entrepreneur and leader of the 21st century.”

Kristel Van den Bergh, Managing Director of the Prince Albert Fund and former laureate: “The experience of the Prince Albert Fund was a true revelation! In 2014, the programme gave me the opportunity to focus on the high-tech sector, a fascinating world that I explored for eight years before becoming General Manager of the Fund. The Prince Albert Fund opens doors to a new future, a ‘life-changing experience’, a ‘golden ticket’ to transform your career, acquire new skills, and build a new future… Who doesn’t dream of such an opportunity?”

Thomas Poelmans, social entrepreneur, co-founder of Hydrobox & NAMé Recycling: “Collaborating with the Prince Albert Fund has significantly accelerated the growth of Hydrobox and NAMé Recycling. In just one year, Annelies Vanderwaeren transformed Hydrobox’s sales organisation in Kenya from a simple structure into a real machine driving the company’s growth. Ward Goossenaerts kept NAMé Recycling afloat during a critical period thanks to his exceptional entrepreneurial skills. These impressive achievements were crucial in convincing investors to invest more than 12 million euros, allowing us to increase our impact in Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years.”

Festive celebration

On 11 October, the Prince Albert Fund will proudly celebrate its 40-year positive impact during a special event, which will also be attended by Princess Astrid. This event, bringing together more than 600 laureates, partner companies, and special guests, will reflect on the Fund’s impressive history and its crucial role in promoting Belgian foreign trade. Inspiring testimonies will be central to this occasion.

During this event, the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium will present the prestigious ‘FEB NextGen Leadership Award’ to a young laureate. This lucky winner will receive an extra boost for his/her career, with a training budget of 5,000 euros to take a new step in his or her professional development.