OVER 50 YEARS
of TRIAS
Trias traces its roots back to 1964 in the Belgian farmers and entrepreneurs associations, and is therefore a unique movement-NGO that fosters international solidarity with, and between, member-based organisations and their individual members.

The first volunteers of Boerenjeugdbond, a Flemish youth association for farmers, go to Congo and Rwanda to support agricultural projects.

Boerenjeugdbond on its turn establishes a new charity called ‘Ieder voor Allen’. This brand-new organisation will henceforth support agricultural and rural organisations in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

In Christian Democrat circles, ACT sees the light of day. This organisation also supports projects of farmers and entrepreneurs outside Europe.

NCMV, a Flemish organisation for the self-employed, starts Form, which trains small entrepreneurs in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Ieder voor Allen, ACT and Form merge to form Trias. Its first president is later Senate president Sabine de Bethune.

Boerenbond recognises Trias as an agri-agency in the global network of Farmers Fighting Poverty, which now supports 300 farmers’ organisations in more than 50 countries.

Globally, Trias now has over 100 employees. Budget passes the 10 million euro mark.

Sabine de Bethune passes the torch as president to Philippe Matthijs. For the first time, Trias’ programmes reach more than one million family farmers and small entrepreneurs.

Trias achieves the prestigious EFQM quality label ‘Recognised for Excellence‘, a first in Belgian development cooperation.

Trias’ operations are grouped into six regions, which ensures greater flexibility and strength in the implementation of our projects. 150 employees now watch over the efficient spending of our budget, which rises to 14 million euro.

Trias’ quality policy is again recognised by EFQM. A fourth star is added to our label.

After Philippe Matthijs’ second and final term of office expires, Franky Depickere is appointed chairman. His first challenge is to steer Trias through the corona crisis. Worldwide, most Trias offices close their doors, but at the same time we try to continue supporting our partners in the best way possible.

The team supporting our Belgian partners is officially rebranded as a separate seventh region.