Foundation invests 280m euros in climate action and workplace mental health
The Helios Foundation, the successor to the Vinçotte Foundation, will invest the 280 million euros it gained from selling the inspection group Vinçotte into tackling two urgent issues: reducing CO2 emissions and improving mental well-being in the workplace.
"We are tackling dual global burnout: that of the planet and of workers," says Luc Lallemand, former railway executive and now head of Helios, in an interview with De Tijd.
The funds originate from the sale of inspection company Vinçotte to Dutch competitor Kiwa, a subsidiary of SHV - the holding company of the billionaire Fentener van Vlissingen family - in 2021. As the sole shareholder, the Vinçotte Foundation transferred the full 280 million euros to Helios. This places the new foundation among the most financially powerful in Belgium, with its capital already growing through interest and dividends.
"We are tackling dual global burnout: that of the planet and of workers"
Helios will support initiatives through philanthropic grants, academic research and investments via established impact funds. Seven projects have already been selected, including six focused on decarbonisation and one on workplace mental health. Most will receive between 2 and 3 million euros in funding.
First projects
Notable examples include four academic chairs funded through the Swifft Collective - a joint initiative of the universities of Brussels (VUB and ULB) - and the VUB-led STEAM programme, which supports underrepresented young people in pursuing STEM careers that are essential for the energy transition.
So far, a single mental health project led by labour economist Stijn Baert at Ghent University has been selected, with plans to launch a broader call for proposals next year. According to Lallemand, measuring the impact of CO2 reduction per euro invested is relatively straightforward. Assessing outcomes for mental well-being remains more complex, yet equally vital.
Founded in 2024, Helios has inherited the legacy of engineer Robert Vinçotte, who established the original inspection company in 1872 in an effort to improve industrial safety following a series of deadly steam boiler explosions.
Since then, the foundation's mission has expanded to include major societal goals, extending the concept of safety to encompass climate stability and human psychological resilience.
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