With great shock, we learned yesterday that the Flemish government has announced its intention not to renew the management agreement with the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) at the University of Antwerp. The funding associated with the management agreement amounts to €2,643,429 in 2025 and forms the backbone of our operations, sustaining 32 core staff members and our teaching and research activities. In addition, the institute employs around thirty project staff members through externally acquired funding.

Since its creation in 2000, IOB has consistently received highly positive evaluations. Only weeks ago, as requested by the Flemish government administration, we submitted our new policy plan and our budget for the 2026–2030 period. Like earlier agreements, the ongoing 5-year management agreement (2021-2025) announces its renewal in case of a positive evaluation. Negotiations with the Flemish government administration on a new agreement are well advanced. Yesterday’s announcement therefore comes as a great surprise and goes against the reasonable expectations created by the Flemish government.

IOB is widely recognised as a global key player in development studies, and for its regional expertise on Central Africa. Drawing upon a multidisciplinary approach, IOB offers three Master programmes that are particularly oriented towards students from the Global South, while also attracting participants from the Global North. Our global network of high-level alumni active in governments, international organisations, business, NGOs, academia enhances the soft power of Flanders and Belgium by strengthening their visibility, influence and partnerships worldwide. In doing so, IOB contributes directly to the international reputation and policy impact of Flanders and Belgium.

What makes the announcement particularly painful is the timing of its supposed implementation, which would mean we only have 3 months of funding left. This leaves us with pressing concerns about how we can complete the current academic year responsibly, and about the consequences for our students, staff, and international partners.

We therefore regard this announcement as both misinformed and short-sighted, with potentially harmful consequences not only for our institute, but also for the international reputation of Flanders as a hub of academic excellence and global engagement, as well as for the many policy actors with whom we collaborate on a daily basis – both in Flanders and the Global South. We hope that in the next steps – the parliamentary debate, and conversations with the Flemish government – this can be addressed.

(23-09-2025)

Our vision is one of a just and sustainable world.

As an institute of development studies, we strive to help build such a world through multidisciplinary academic research, education, partnerships and political engagement.

We offer world-class educational programmes for tomorrow’s agents of change. In our three Advanced Master programmes, we facilitate an exchange of ideas between students and staff from across the globe. We also offer some short-term programmes for professionals, as well as a highly regarded PhD programme.

Our education is built on first-class research. In our research, of which you can read more on our research and outreach page, we want to contribute to real (policy) change through the generation of, and conversation with different kinds of knowledge. While our focus is on the most marginalised countries of the Global South, comparative research can bring us anywhere in this world. Hosting the Great Lakes of Africa Centre for researchers working in an on the Great Lakes Region, we continue to have a special focus on this region.

Welcome to IOB!