RTBE Goldenes Vlies

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Round Table Belgium

Verband: Round Table Belgien
Category: International Service / Award Fund
Status: Active since 1971
Main Website: roundtable.be

Have you ever stared at the Round Table Belgium logo and wondered:
“Is that a golden sheep? A fancy goat? A decorative pretzel?”

Well, close — but it’s actually the Golden Fleece, and it represents one of the most meaningful legacies of Round Table Belgium: a tradition of honor, solidarity, and international community service. And yes — it even has its own Foundation.

“The donation was anonymous. The impact was anything but.”

— Reflecting on the Foundation’s launch in 1971

A Bold Beginning – 1971

In 1971, a Belgian senior Tabler made an anonymous donation of 1 million Belgian francs (approx. €25,000). Back then? That could buy a whole house.

His vision: support humanitarian projects through an annual prize of $2,000, awarded over 10 years to clubs within the World Council network. Thus began the Golden Fleece Fund.

Meilensteine

• • 1973 – First awards at WOCO Rimini (e.g. Louis Marchesi Clinic, Lebanon)
  • 1975 – Management entrusted to the Service-Club ASBL
  • 1982 – Name changed to Golden Fleece Foundation
  • 1983 – Becomes official ASBL; anonymous donor revealed: Paul Hottlet

  Purpose & Principles

  Die Stiftung unterstützt wirkungsvolle Projekte, die sich an drei Kriterien orientieren:

  • • General Value: Broad humanitarian relevance
    • Urgency: Pressing needs in underserved areas
    • Commitment: Significant effort already made by the applicant club

    100% der Mittel fließen in das Projekt. Keine Verwaltungskosten. Keine Umwege.

    Eligibility & Application

    • • Open to any club in the World Council
      • Application deadline: March 31st
      • Nominations accepted from other clubs
      • Award presented at the World Council AGM

      Auswirkungen Projekte

      Examples of Golden Fleece–backed initiatives:

      • • 🍲 Feeding lepers in Zambia
        • 🏫 Supporting Indian orphanages (10,000 BEF = 1 child/year)
        • 🏡 Developing sustainable villages in Malawi

        Wer hat das Goldene Vlies erhalten?

        Over the decades, the Golden Fleece Foundation has supported dozens of incredible projects across the world — from schools and hospitals to community clinics and disaster relief. These awards aren’t just about money — they represent recognition, validation, and international encouragement.

        Die vollständige historische Liste der Gewinner, Jahr für Jahr, finden Sie hier:

        ➡️ Golden Fleece Foundation Award Winners

        “RT Belgium, aren’t you the Golden Fleece guys?”

        — A WOCO joke during the 80’s

        Stiftung Quick Facts

        Stiftung Quick Facts

        Item	Details
        Founded	1971 (Fund) / 1983 (ASBL)
        Founder	Paul Hottlet, RT Antwerp 2
        Funding	Belgian Tablers + private donors
        Annual Grant	Minimum €3,000
        Next Deadline	March 31st
        Latest Project	Project Senegal – RT Italy

        Legacy & Remembrance

        Founder Paul Hottlet passed away in 2011. President of RT Antwerp 2 in 1966, he quietly funded the Golden Fleece for over a decade before ever accepting credit.

        “Not millions — just meaning.”

        The Golden Fleece doesn’t change the world with scale — but with heart, and legacy.

        Mehr zu entdecken

        • 🌍 World Council of Young Men’s Service Clubs🔗
        • 🧵 Explore Projects Tagged #GOLDENFLEECE