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.
1959
The first volunteers of Boerenjeugdbond, a Flemish youth association for farmers, go to Congo and Rwanda to support agricultural projects.
1964
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.
1985
In Christian Democrat circles, ACT sees the light of day. This organisation also supports projects of farmers and entrepreneurs outside Europe.
1990
NCMV, a Flemish organisation for the self-employed, starts Form, which trains small entrepreneurs in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
2002
Ieder voor Allen, ACT and Form merge to form Trias. Its first president is later Senate president Sabine de Bethune.
2008
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.
2009
Globally, Trias now has over 100 employees. Budget passes the 10 million euro mark.
2012
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.
2015
Trias achieves the prestigious EFQM quality label ‘Recognised for Excellence‘, a first in Belgian development cooperation.
2018
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.
2019
Trias’ quality policy is again recognised by EFQM. A fourth star is added to our label.
2020
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.
2022
The team supporting our Belgian partners is officially rebranded as a separate seventh region.