Grant of 5.05 million euros to Vias institute for road safety

King Philippe signed, on August 27, 2026, a royal decree granting a subsidy of 5,050,000 euros to the approved cooperative society as a social enterprise Vias institute, to cover the costs arising from its public service mission regarding road safety. This text, published in the Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge) on September 11, 2026 (p. 49632), is charged to the general expenditure budget of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport. It bears the official reference [C − 2026/006532].

A recognized reference center

The decree recalls that Vias institute has aimed for over 30 years to actively contribute to a sustainable reduction in the number of road casualties through the development, sharing, and practical application of knowledge in road safety. Thanks to its clear and independent positioning, its communication, and its links with foreign institutes and organizations, the body is designated as the Belgian reference center in this field.

The text emphasizes that the FPS Mobility and Transport does not possess the necessary means to take over this role and the positioning demonstrated by Vias institute. The subsidy is granted on the proposal of the Minister for Mobility, Climate and Environmental Transition, in charge of Sustainable Development, J.-L. Crucke, following the opinion of the Inspector of Finance given on July 10, 2026.

Financing and payment terms

The missions arising from the royal decree, as well as the financing terms, payments, and sanctions in case of non-compliance, are the subject of a structural subsidy agreement between the Belgian State and Vias institute. The payment of the subsidy is subject to precise conditions:

• Vias institute submits a budget and a work plan for the structural activities and missions included in the agreement;
• after approval by the monitoring committee, the FPS Mobility and Transport may pay, within the month following the signature of the agreement, a maximum of 75% of the funding to the bank account BE02 3630 4373 7340, based on a claim for payment;
• the remaining balance due is paid after the administration’s approval of a substantive report, a financial report, and a discharge from the statutory auditor.

The total sum can only be paid if the projects, the core, public relations, and communication required the entirety of the planned budgets and if at least 80% of each indicator in the substantive report is achieved. Otherwise, the subsidy is reduced by 0.5% per unfulfilled indicator, with a maximum reduction of 5%, as well as any unused sums.

Budgetary allocation and execution

The grant is charged to the basic allocation 33 56 71 330001 “Subsidy to Vias institute” of the law for the 2026 budget year. In accordance with Article 3, 3° of the “gender mainstreaming law” of January 12, 2007, Article 3.5 of the subsidy agreement between the Belgian State and Vias institute must be strictly applied. The organization’s company number is 0432 570 411.

The Minister responsible for Mobility is charged with the execution of the decree, given in Brussels on August 27, 2026.

A direct impact on road safety

This grant reinforces the central role of Vias institute in Belgian road safety policy, as the federal administration does not have the means to carry out this mission itself. For citizens, it guarantees the continuation of research work, barometers, and prevention campaigns that inform public decisions regarding traffic. The funding, conditional on measurable results, illustrates the State’s desire to link the granting of public funds to the achievement of concrete objectives for reducing accident rates.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette of September 11, 2026, p. 49632 — Royal Decree of August 27, 2026, concerning the granting to Vias institute of a subsidy charged to the budget of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, reference [C − 2026/006532].