Main funding principles

Adult education (VWO) 

The Centres for Basic Education (CBEs) and the Centres for Adult Education (CVOs) are subsidised/financed by the government. They receive funding based on the number of educational outputs delivered, expressed in funding points derived from weighted learner-hours. Funding/subsidisation is based 80% on input (number of learner-hours) and 20% on output (successfully completed modules).  

Programme, centre and learner characteristics provide additional weighting. For each successfully completed full programme, the centre receives additional funding in the form of a qualification bonus. For the appointment of teachers, CVOs receive teaching hours and CBEs receive full-time equivalents. For the appointment of support and management staff, CVOs and CBEs receive a points-based envelope. Each centre is entitled to one full-time director post.  

CBEs are entitled to an operating grant per learner-hour. CVOs receive their operating funds based on weighted funding points. Centres must allocate at least 5% of their operating funds to quality assurance and the development of learning materials. 

Part-time arts education (DKO) 

Academies for part-time arts education receive a teaching hours package based on the number of pupils counted on 1 February of the preceding school year. In addition, each academy is entitled to staffing for a director position and for administration, induction support and ‘building the school together’. The Flemish Community also provides operating funds. 

Vocational training (VDAB) 

The Flemish Public Employment Service and Vocational Training Agency (VDAB) is an externally autonomous agency, meaning it is not directly managed by the minister (who does, however, set policy priorities) but is governed by a Board of Directors. VDAB’s operations are largely funded by the Flemish Government. To this end, VDAB concludes a management agreement with the Flemish Government. In addition to the grant from the Flemish Community, there is also income from the European Union and from invoicing employers. 

Entrepreneurship training 

VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) is the key point of contact within the Flemish Government for all entrepreneurs in Flanders. VLAIO stimulates and supports innovation and entrepreneurship and contributes to a favourable business climate, in collaboration with numerous partners.  

One of these partners is the SYNTRA network, comprising five SYNTRA umbrella organisations. They are the principal actors for entrepreneurship training within the ecosystem of enterprise and innovation and help shape lifelong learning for entrepreneurs and their employees. Lifelong learning through SYNTRA enables Flemish entrepreneurs to acquire and maintain craftsmanship, compete internationally, respond to disruptions, and take a leading role in emerging value chains linked to societal transitions such as digitalisation, climate and energy, and the circular economy. As an actor within the VLAIO ecosystem, SYNTRA contributes to shaping three essential societal transitions: 

SYNTRA programmes are often practice-oriented, but may also include individual coaching and guidance within a broader training pathway. SYNTRA focuses on facilitating the professional ambitions of its participants. It organises structured programmes with depth and a well-founded curriculum, developed in collaboration with industry and/or sector organisations.  

SYNTRA receives financial support for organising training, divided into an effort-based component and output-based funding. 

Funding under the effort-based component is intended for: 

Through output-based funding, the provider receives remuneration per organised module and compensation for coaching for each hour of coaching delivered. 

Agricultural training 

Training provision is organised by recognised training centres and subsidised by the Flemish Government via the Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Entrepreneurship and Development.  

The subsidy is co-financed for 43% by the European Union through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Support for training plans is one of the measures within the Flemish CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and aims to modernise agriculture and rural areas by promoting knowledge development and sharing, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture and rural areas, and by encouraging their uptake by farmers through improved access to research, innovation, knowledge exchange and training.  

Recognised training centres submit an annual training plan outlining the planned activities and priorities for the year. The minister responsible for agriculture approves these plans based on available budgetary resources. Centres must then submit a funding application for each course. They receive a flat-rate operating subsidy per day, possibly supplemented by a fee for the trainer. A course is only eligible for subsidy if it meets the funding conditions, such as attracting a sufficient number of valid participants. 

Socio-cultural adult education 

Under the Decree on socio-cultural adult education, the Flemish Government recognises and subsidises socio-cultural organisations within civil society. These organisations contribute to social cohesion, critical thinking and societal change. They promote participation and encourage citizens’ emancipation, dialogue and shared citizenship.  

Socio-cultural organisations may apply for operating funds for each five-year policy period. Prior to the 2017 decree reform, these organisations were categorised as associations, movements and training institutions. Although training institutions are no longer explicitly named, (non-formal and informal) learning remains one of the core functions of the socio-cultural sector. Socio-cultural adult education has four functions: community-building, social movement, cultural, and learning. Subsidised organisations develop their own mix of at least two of these functions.  

In addition to nationally subsidised socio-cultural adult education organisations, the Flemish Government also supports regional organisations. Twelve organisations operate across one or more Flemish reference regions, ensuring that every citizen has access to a regional organisation. These organisations collaborate under the common name Avansa (formerly Vormingplus or folk high school [‘volkshogeschool’]). They receive a subsidy per inhabitant in their area, independent of the evaluation of their activities.  

In addition to subsidies under the decree, socio-cultural adult education organisations generally also have their own income (such as participant contributions and donations) and receive other subsidies, including from other Flemish or federal ministers (where their themes or target groups align with other policy areas) or from European project funding. 

Fees paid by learners

Adult education (VWO) 

Participants enrolling in a CBE do not pay enrolment fees if they do not yet hold a secondary education diploma. Participants in a CVO (secondary adult education) must pay an enrolment fee, the amount of which depends on the type of programme and is calculated per teaching hour. In certain cases, partial or full exemptions apply.  

The standard rate is €2.25 per teaching hour. For vocational programmes with a structural labour market shortage, the rate is €1 per teaching hour. For general education programmes leading to a secondary education diploma, for literacy support modules, and for programmes addressing special educational needs, the rate is €0.03 per teaching hour. For Dutch as a second language (NT2), fees vary by level: for level 1, the fee is capped at €180, while for levels 2, 3 and 4, participants pay €0.60 per teaching hour. For language courses and other less labour market-oriented programmes, the rate is €4 per teaching hour, with no reduced tariff available.  

For other programme categories, the following groups may benefit from full or partial exemption:  

Enrolment fees are capped per programme per semester, with a maximum of €200 for programmes with a structural labour market shortage and €450 for programmes at the standard rate. CBEs and CVOs may only charge participants for course materials at cost price. 

Part-time arts education (dko) 

Programmes in part-time arts education are not subject to compulsory schooling; therefore, an enrolment fee is required. The fee for adults is €395 for the 2025–2026 school year. A reduced fee of €168 applies to certain categories of adults, typically linked to social status or age (adults under 25). 

Young people (under 18) pay €87 per school year, with a reduced rate of €58 if multiple members of the same family enrol, if they have a specific social status, or if they are dependants of an adult eligible for the reduced rate. 

Vocational training (VDAB) 

For non-employed jobseekers, all training programmes deemed relevant by VDAB within a pathway to employment are free of charge. VDAB’s online courses are free for everyone. Employees who follow training on their own initiative pay only a fee for didactic course materials, amounting, depending on the programme category, to €35, €55 or €75 per day.  

Online learning courses are currently free for both jobseekers and employees. These online courses, as well as other didactic materials, are also made available free of charge to education providers and non-commercial training organisations. For employers, fee-based training has largely been phased out. 

Entrepreneurship training (VLAIO) 

The cost of long-term and short-term training varies depending on the nature of the programme. 

Agricultural training 

Registrations are handled by recognised centres, which determine their own enrolment fees. 

Socio-cultural adult education 

Participation in educational activities organised by socio-cultural organisations generally requires a (modest fee), determined by the provider. 

Financial support for adult learners

Cross-sectoral 

To promote lifelong and life-wide learning among adults, the government has introduced several support schemes, notably paid educational leave, training vouchers for employees, and SME portfolio support for SME entrepreneurs and the self-employed. 

Brussels Paid Educational Leave aims to support the social advancement of private-sector employees in Brussels. Employees receive additional leave hours for training undertaken in their free time or are granted leave to attend classes if these coincide with working hours. Employers may obtain reimbursement for these leave hours from a dedicated fund. The training followed may have a professional objective, without necessarily being related to the employee’s current occupation, or may be of a general educational nature. There are also specific arrangements for employees preparing for examinations organised by the Flemish Community’s examination board. A comparable system exists for Flemish private-sector employees in the form of Flemish Training Leave, whereby employees follow training either on their own initiative or jointly with their employer. These programmes must meet certain conditions, and employers then receive partial reimbursement of wage costs for (part of) the training hours. 

Employees or temporary workers employed in the Flemish or Brussels Region, under an employment contract (or working under the authority of a person established there), may purchase training vouchers worth up to €250 per calendar year. These can be used to pay for training with a recognised provider. The beneficiary only pays half of the value of the vouchers. Training vouchers may only be used for career guidance or for training recognised within the framework of paid educational leave or included in a personal development plan. 

Those without a secondary education diploma receive full reimbursement of training vouchers for: 

Those without a higher education diploma who wish to pursue longer higher education programmes (bachelor’s, teacher education or higher vocational education) and incur costs exceeding €250 may receive an additional €250 in training vouchers per calendar year. Individuals from vulnerable groups following training within a career guidance framework may qualify for additional support if they are at least 45 years old, low-skilled, and recognised as having a work disability or being of migrant origin. 

SME entrepreneurs and the self-employed may receive support through the SME portfolio for: 

They may receive subsidies of up to 50% (or up to 75% for innovation advice), with a maximum of €15,000 per year. 

Adult education (VWO) 

Participants in adult education are not eligible for school or study grants. They may, however, access Flemish training leave, but only for the contact teaching component of their programme.  

Participants who obtain a secondary education diploma through adult education receive a premium equivalent to the full enrolment fee. 

Participants with auditory or visual impairments may apply for special educational learning aids (SOL), including sign language interpreters, speech-to-text interpreters, and adapted learning materials (such as Braille or large print). 

Part-time arts education (dko) 

Some programmes in part-time arts education (e.g. graphic design and illustration, interactive media, jewellery design/precious metals) are recognised within the Flemish Training Leave framework. Participants in these programmes may therefore use training vouchers. 

Vocational training (VDAB) 

In addition to free training, VDAB provides jobseekers with various allowances, including travel and childcare allowances. Unemployment benefits are provided through the federal National Employment Office (RVA).  

As of 2026 , VDAB only provides a financial contribution for workplace learning through the IBO-plus scheme. There are also numerous training subsidies from Flemish, federal and European authorities (notably through the European Social Fund), as well as sector-specific measures. An overview is available on the VDAB website. 

Entrepreneurship training (VLAIO)