Our story, mission, legal information, and the people behind our work.
Y'abal is a Belgian non-profit organisation (Association Sans But Lucratif / Vereniging Zonder Winstoogmerk) founded on 6 November 2016 in Hasselt, Belgium. Our mission is to promote the social and economic advancement of disadvantaged groups in Belgium and across Europe.
We believe that every person, regardless of their background, nationality, or circumstances, deserves access to quality education, meaningful employment opportunities, and a supportive community. This belief drives everything we do.
As stated in our statutes registered with the Belgian Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, Y'abal's primary purpose is the promotion of all forms of social and economic advancement of disadvantaged groups. This includes, but is not limited to:
At Y'abal, our work is guided by four core values that inform every programme and decision we make:
Inclusion: We welcome people from all backgrounds and actively work to remove barriers to participation. Our programmes are designed to be accessible and culturally sensitive.
Empowerment: Rather than creating dependency, we focus on building skills and capacities that allow individuals and communities to become self-sufficient and thrive independently.
Transparency: We maintain open and honest communication with our donors, partners, and the communities we serve. Our financial records and programme outcomes are publicly available.
Collaboration: We believe in the power of partnership. By working together with local organisations, government agencies, and international partners, we amplify our impact.
From our founding in Hasselt to the organisation we are today, Y'abal has grown steadily while staying true to our mission.
Foundation: Y'abal is established as an ASBL in Hasselt, Belgium, by a group of passionate individuals committed to social justice. Our founding statutes are registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.
First Programme: We launch our initial education programme, offering literacy and language courses to newly arrived immigrants in the Limburg region. Within the first year, we serve over 50 participants.
Expansion: Y'abal grows to include economic empowerment activities, providing financial literacy training and micro-enterprise support. We establish our first partnerships with local businesses in Hasselt.
Community Programmes: We introduce our community development programme, organising neighbourhood events and cultural exchange activities that bring together diverse communities across Limburg.
Adapting to Change: During the global pandemic, we rapidly adapted our programmes to digital formats, ensuring continued support for our beneficiaries. We launched online training platforms and virtual mentoring sessions.
Growing Impact: Y'abal reaches over 2,000 beneficiaries across all programmes. We expand our volunteer base to 150+ active members and establish new partnerships with European social enterprises.
Looking Forward: We continue to strengthen our programmes and explore new ways to serve disadvantaged communities. Our focus remains on sustainable, measurable impact that creates lasting change.
Our volunteer board provides strategic oversight and governance for all Y'abal activities.
Melissa has been leading Y'abal since its founding, bringing over 15 years of experience in social work and community development. She oversees the strategic direction of the organisation and ensures alignment with our core mission.
Ivan manages Y'abal's administrative operations and regulatory compliance. His background in public administration ensures that the organisation maintains the highest standards of governance and transparency.
Bart is responsible for financial oversight and sustainability of the organisation. With extensive experience in nonprofit finance, he ensures that donor contributions are managed responsibly and allocated effectively.
Help us continue promoting the social and economic advancement of disadvantaged communities. Your donation makes a real difference.