La Brugeoise, entrance gate on Baron Ruzettelaan
Along Baron Ruzettelaan, there is a landmark monument that needs our attention and care: the La Brugeoise Gate. This monumental gate is one of the
Brugge Foundation wants to keep Bruges livable and make it even more beautiful for residents and visitors.
Therefore, Bruges Foundation wants to use and repurpose vacant real estate heritage and scarce open space in a modern way with respect for the character of the city and of the heritage itself.
To achieve this goal, Bruges Foundation employs all fundraising techniques, with an emphasis on major donor recruitment, legacies and legacies.
Brugge Foundation wants to keep Bruges livable and make it even more beautiful for residents and visitors.
Therefore, Bruges Foundation wants to use and repurpose vacant real estate heritage and scarce open space in a modern way with respect for the character of the city and of the heritage itself.
To achieve this goal, Bruges Foundation employs all fundraising techniques, with an emphasis on major donor recruitment, legacies and legacies.
Scientific research proves time and again that Bruggelings love their city and that visitors Admiring Bruges and its heritage. Brugge Foundation wants to keep Bruges liveable and make it even more beautiful for its residents and the visitors.
Therefore, Bruges Foundation wants to use vacant real estate heritage and scarce open space in a modern way and repurpose with respect for the character of the city and of the heritage itself.
Along Baron Ruzettelaan, there is a landmark monument that needs our attention and care: the La Brugeoise Gate. This monumental gate is one of the
In addition to six previous protections (landscapes, monuments, townscape, ...), the beguinage has been recognised as a World Heritage Site for 25 years this year.The beguinage is a centuries-old, well-preserved and
On Boeveriestraat is the former St Godelieve Abbey, a final convent of Benedictine nuns from 1623 until the end of 2013. An unknown site to many, a remarkable
Sixteenth-century author, philosopher, historian, teacher and publisher Barlandus already knew it: Bruges is wonderful. That urban beauty is no reason to sit back and let time do its work. Bruges Foundation looks inside and outside its borders for partners who believe in socially responsible repurposing.
Bruges is a very serious matter for the Bruges man, the city pride is incredibly large. In 2015, 7.8 million visitors proved that those people of Bruges have every reason to be proud. The city's past is its future, this is also the city council's conviction. To preserve the immovable heritage alive for residents, local residents and visitors, we will have to make joint efforts. The city of Bruges is leading the way and providing the 'seed money' giving Bruges Foundation a running start.
The redevelopment of the Godelieve Abbey is only possible with close cooperation between the city and the Bruges Foundation. a user agreement for the site was finally reached in July 2017 and the city supported the Bruges Foundation with a start-up grant to help pay for, among other things, a master plan for the site, maintenance of the gardens, and start-up costs for the Godelieve project.
The 'Travelling to Tomorrow' brochure recounts Tourism Flanders' vision of the tourism of the future.
Today, it will be translated into concrete projects for the current legislature and further...
Read all about it on the Tourism Flanders website!
The Friends of Bruges Foundation is a fund within the King Baudouin Foundation that supports us financially.
The King Baudouin Foundation ensure that any donation over 40 euros (on an annual basis!) qualifies for a tax reduction of 45%.
If you click on the link below, it will take you directly to the right place on the King Baudouin Foundation site.
https://donate.kbs-frb.be/actions/FFO-BruggeFoundation
More info on the King Baudouin Foundation and its objectives can be found on its website.
You are from Bruges or have lived in Bruges or
Studied and wish to maintain ties with this beautiful city?
Then the association BRUGES BUITEN BRUGGE is for you !
You can be a partner of Brugge Foundation both as an individual or as a company. If you are convinced by our mission and would also like to do your bit, please contact us without obligation. Every partnership is tailor-made.
For example, we could set up a co-branding campaign or we could work out a programme together to involve your employees or contacts in your engagement. Or maybe you have a proposal of your own?
Few can say they have as much heritage experience as Ingrid Leye. Since 1979, our president has been professionally closely involved in ...
Few can say they have as much heritage experience as Ingrid Leye. Ever since 1979, our president has been professionally closely involved in Bruges' monument conservation, architectural projects and urban planning. The seamless integration of these disciplines have put Bruges on the map worldwide and define the city's essence today.
From 2009, Ingrid Leye was head of service at the Department of Spatial Planning, UNESCO sector and at the Department of Monuments and Heritage Affairs. Since September 2015, our president has retired and can dedicate herself to Brugge Foundation. Her thorough knowledge of the Bruges city centre, effortless feel for the uniqueness of Bruges sites and her technical expertise make Ingrid Leye the best chairperson Bruges Foundation could wish for.
Ingrid Leye studied architecture at Sint-Lucas Hogeschool (Ghent). She is alumna of the world-renowned Raymond Lemaire Centre for Conservation, then at the College of Europe in Bruges. Her commitment to Bruges' heritage also translates into her participation in the Consultative Commission on Urban Beauty and in the UNESCO Experts Commission Bruges.
In 2014, so became chairman of the Jury for the Flemish Heritage Award.
Johan Debyser spent his childhood in the Westhoek and has lived and worked in Bruges since 1972. His attention and interest in Bruges' heritage ...
Johan Debyser spent his childhood in the Westhoek and has lived and worked in Bruges since 1972. His attention and interest in Bruges' heritage dates back to that time.
The secretary of Bruges Foundation is an alumnus of KU Leuven (Law) and wiid his professional life to public service. From 1976 until his retirement in 2014, Johan Debyser worked for the federal and Flemish governor's departments. In 1991, he became district commissioner and from 2001 our secretary was the chief of cabinet of governors Breyne and Decaluwé. In the latter position, he contributed his personal bit to the appearance of the country's most beautiful city by upgrading the governor's residence.
Asked why he is committed to Brugge Foundation, Johan Debyser says: "Bruges should be a modern, lively city with respect for the past. Bruges Foundation can become an instrument to give substance to this in a concrete way." Brugge Foundation is proud of the commitment, dedication and expertise of our secretary. After all, who is better placed than him to support the foundation's social interest with meticulous experience?
Johan Debyser is married and lives in Assebroek. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Sovekans, a social rental agency for Bruges and the surrounding area.
David Serlet breathes Bruges; he was born and works there, and, as a city guide, feels the city perfectly. Today, this translator-interpreter is committed to ...
David Serlet breathes Bruges; he was born there and works there, and as a city guide has a perfect feel for the city.
Today, this translator-interpreter is committed to education for non-native speakers at SNT Bruges but is also a committed and expert city guide.
In addition to this, he is a co-initiator and board member of 'Guides with a Heart'.
This is a group of officially qualified Bruges city guides who organise an event each year for a Bruges heritage gem. After restoring the oratory at Gruuthuse in 2017 and renovating the chapel at Godelieve Abbey in 2018, they supported the restoration of Anselm Adornes' mausoleum in the Adornes Estate in 2019.
David Serlet joined Brugge Foundation's board of directors in January 2019 as an extraordinary board member.
All-round creative, you can't call Wim Lybaert anything else. Director, author, cook, kitchen gardener, cameraman, television producer and founder of the ...
All-round creative, you can't call Wim Lybaert anything else. Director, author, cook, kitchen gardener, cameraman, television producer and founder of the production house 'Liefhebbers'. But above all, a man from Bruges who is passionate about the cyclical rhythm of the vegetable garden, healthy eating and living.
Mr Lybaert's career reads like a boy's book. He worked in a plastics factory in Illinois, was the very first station manager of regional TV. The first too who dared to go straight from hard drive to antenna. And he gave up a job because ... he wanted to get to know another town. Seventeen years a Desert Fish, who can say that? And today Wim Lybaert runs his own production house. Just to say that passion, alongside hard work, can also move mountains.
Wim Lybaert combines the best of both worlds; he manages to get people excited about classic or forgotten concepts (vegetable gardening) in a modern setting. There was no doubt that Bruges Foundation would have the ambassador of community gardening on its Board of Directors. His ambition to reconcile the medieval city of Bruges with the future of our world is a grandiose example of socially responsible repurposing. If those who live to the rhythm of the seasons become better people, can we also become a better city because of it? At least Wim Lybaert and Bruges Foundation think so.
Wim Lybaert lives in Sint-Andries, in a house adjacent to his vegetable garden.
Eric Van Hove is a native of Bruges. He studied sociology, was a critical city journalist in Bruges from 1980 to 2000 and afterwards made the ...
Eric Van Hove is a born citizen of Bruges. He studied sociology, was a critical city journalist in Bruges from 1980 to 2000 and then made the move to the Bruges city council, first as chief of cabinet of mayor Patrick Moenaert and then as the person responsible for the City Fund.
His interest mainly focuses on concern for the livability of the city and formulating sustainable alternatives for the future.
Since his retirement from office, he has been taking up the pen again and keeping his finger on the pulse of what is going on in and around the city.
Since 1 November 2019, Eric Van Hove joins the Board of Directors of Brugge Foundation as an extraordinary board member.
His motivation for participating in the Bruges Foundation?
,,Bruges is a monastic city, one-fourth of the historic city centre is religious heritage. But churches and monasteries are emptying. What happens to those ancient and valuable sites? Surely you cannot leave that to the property developers or the market. Finding new uses for old buildings, helping to outline a vision of the future, finding partners and allies for this, that seems like an exciting challenge to me.
Urgent, too: the next twenty years will be crucial for many of these sites. So this concerns àll Bruges residents, and also people with a heart for Bruges."
Guido Verhaeghe is a native of Bruges and currently lives in Damme. He has had an active career in the financial ...
Eric Van Hove is a native of Bruges. He studied sociology, was a critical city journalist in Bruges from 1980 to 2000 and then made the move to the Bruges city council,Guido Verhaeghe is a native of Bruges and currently lives in Damme.
He has had an active career in the financial sector. He was active with several banks ( including private banking ) in various management positions or executive committees.
Given his recent retirement and his interest and love for his hometown of Bruges, he intends to actively contribute to the preservation of this fascinating and living city in the future.
Today, he wants to use his experience as a financial expert and manager as well as his network for the benefit of Brugge Foundation and its objectives.
Or as he himself puts it, "The motivation to work hard for the Bruges Foundation is inspired from a day-to-day admiration and wonder of our heritage. After Jan Van Eyck's passage in Bruges in 1431, the epithet "Brugensis" is synonymous with artistic quality on a global level. And all those silent "stone" monumental witnesses we should cherish. After all, Oscar Wilde said " the only duty we have towards history is to rewrite it.... " .
Guido Verhaeghe was included in the board of directors on 15 July 2020.first as chief of cabinet of mayor Patrick Moenaert and then in charge of the Cities Fund.
His interest mainly focuses on concern for the livability of the city and formulating sustainable alternatives for the future.
Since his retirement from office, he has been taking up the pen again and keeping his finger on the pulse of what is going on in and around the city.
Since 1 November 2019, Eric Van Hove joins the Board of Directors of Brugge Foundation as an extraordinary board member.
His motivation for participating in the Bruges Foundation?
,,Bruges is a monastic city, one-fourth of the historic city centre is religious heritage. But churches and monasteries are emptying. What happens to those ancient and valuable sites? Surely you cannot leave that to the property developers or the market. Finding new uses for old buildings, helping to outline a vision of the future, finding partners and allies for this, that seems like an exciting challenge to me.
Urgent, too: the next twenty years will be crucial for many of these sites. So this concerns àll Bruges residents, and also people with a heart for Bruges."
Can't find the answer to your question right away? Do you have a comment or suggestion? Then please contact with us.
The statutes state very clearly that the mandates are unpaid. All commitment to Brugge Foundation is voluntary.
Brugge Foundation is a private, apolitical, foundation that engages in real estate heritage management. Brugge Foundation manages and repurposes real estate
heritage in Bruges.
Brugge Foundation wants to give existing premises/sites a new, socially responsible purpose; that is repurposing with a socially relevant purpose. The renewed purpose of a building or site must contribute to making the city a better place, for its inhabitants, local residents and visitors.
The initial impetus has been given by the Bruges city council with funds from the City Fund. The intention, of course, is that Bruges Foundation will in no time self-sufficient is. And to ensure that, we will seek private funds. To manage properties and sites, we will seek donors. So our money will largely come from private or corporate philanthropy.
Literally, "philanthropy" is love for humanity, in the sense of "caring for". A philanthropist is someone who gives (money, goods, services, time, expertise) without expecting a quid pro quo. Incidentally, the Dutch tax authorities define philanthropy as "the voluntary giving of money, goods or effort by individuals, companies and funds for the good cause“.
The statutes are classic in structure, content and form.
The most important point, as far as we are concerned, is the disinterested purpose of Bruges Foundation. We pursue no profit and want to make the city better and stronger for its residents and visitors through immovable heritage.
In addition, the statutes provide that a place on the board of directors is incompatible with political office. Incidentally, the statutes of Bruges Foundation have been checked by several lawyers and the notary, without any comments, and you can easily find them here download.
A foundation has no members or associates, the "finality" of a foundation is its purpose. So no, you don't become a member by transferring annual membership fees. Supporting the foundation can be done by making a gift or by otherwise contributing to the foundation's goal.
The foundation deed was passed before notary Van Damme on 23/11/15, making 2016 our first full year of operation.
Abroad, you have famous foundations such as the National Trust which focuses on restoration, conservation and management. Whether in the Netherlands the Hendrick de Keyser Association. These are all national initiatives.
What is original about Bruges Foundation is that it is a private foundation focusing on real estate heritage management and redevelopment at the city level. And that fits right in with the growing movement of cities wanting to take greater responsibility.
Nay, we are well aware that there is more we don't know than we do. That is why we want to consult other people, informally and on an ad hoc basis. In a kind of advisory groups, we then try to get people around the table who look at a particular heritage project from their own specialism.
A doctor, neighbour, gardener or city guide sees different facets and possibilities than, say, the architectural historian, we think. By making use of those
knowledge we hope to find valuable uses for classic properties and sites.
The board initially consists of six people, including the chairman. They are all people committed to the future of Bruges' past and all are specialists in their fields. None of the board members hold political office or are employed by the city of Bruges.
Bruges Foundation is a responsible foundation. Therefore, we feel that the "seeders" & that are the people who initiated the setting up and operation of Brugge Foundation & should have visibility on what happens to the seed funds. After all, this is community money & we, as good householders, handle it with care.
The seed funds cover operating costs for up to three years. The aim, of course, is to ensure that as soon as possible self-sufficient to be. In this sense, it is important for Brugge Foundation to be extremely transparent works. This is why the foundation accounts for its operations once a year in the berek.
Nothing, the statutes state very clearly that the mandates are unpaid. All commitment to Brugge Foundation is voluntary.
In a very classic way. In the board of directors, decisions are basically made at consensus taken. If no agreement can be reached, decisions are taken by simple majority. And in the event of a tie, the chairman's vote is decisive.
There is nothing at all wrong with "Bruges Foundation" on the contrary. However, we hope to appeal to a lot of foreign donors and then "foundation" is just an easier way to explain what we do. Whoever hears "foundation" also immediately knows that there are not profitable to the organisation.
When we talk about socially responsible repurposing, that already gives a direction to our projects. We are convinced that we should not focus very much on an acute particular target group. The spectrum of possibilities is very broad and we think of care, culture, social work, innovation, cradle-to-cradle, green in the city, youth work, & hellip.
Of course you can. What do you have in mind? Then we all sit around the table, scan the options and seek external advice. When we are convinced that there is solid support for the project, we step forward with a well-furnished dossier to the board of directors, which makes the final decision.
Initially, those criteria are no different from the investment criteria used by commercial companies; only here there is a special twist. Of interest, therefore, are:
Actually, repurposing is of all times and in Bruges, most of the historic buildings or premises in the shopping streets have already been repurposed. City services were housed in the former manor house of the Brugse Vrije, the former hall halls are used as exhibition spaces, the Ezelpoort has become the home of Anima Eterna. Bruges Foundation is building on a centuries-long tradition of responsible use of city space. So here, too, we stand on the shoulders of giants.
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