News Trophy of the Independent: who gets your vote?
Did you know Belgium has more than 1.3 million self-employed people, and that this number is growing every year? The self-employed are the heroes of our local economy. Yet they rarely get the recognition they deserve. Orange Belgium wants to change that, with the Trophy of the Independent.
Recognition for those who make a difference
With the Trophy of the Independent, we honour self-employed professionals who improve their clients' experience through thoughtful entrepreneurship, innovation and passion. Last year, the trophy was deservedly won by Sylvia Van Loo from Bruges.
Through her practice UIT-ZICHT, Van Loo offers individual coaching for young people facing challenges such as learning difficulties, low motivation or low self-esteem. She taught for 20 years before taking the leap into entrepreneurship in 2015. “Leaving that golden cage behind and starting again from scratch was a huge challenge for me, one I took on thanks to career coaching,” she says. “To this day, I have no regrets.”
Much more than a trophy
Besides the Trophy of the Independent, Van Loo also won a cash prize of €5,000 and subscriptions to telecom services, magazines and digital accounting tools. But the award meant much more. “What touched me most was the connection with my clients,” she said. “They voted in large numbers and felt seen and heard. For them, and for me, it confirmed that building a business around who you are works. The award put UIT-ZICHT on the map.”
This year, there is plenty to win again. All 10 finalists receive a prize package that includes internet and mobile services from Orange Belgium, a subscription to Mijn Magazines from Roularta Media Group and a discount on Accountable's rate plans.
The three winners receive a cash prize of €5,000, €3,000 or €2,000. The overall winner gets 45 minutes of coaching from a tax expert. And that’s not all: De Zondag selects one finalist from the 10 to receive €5,000 worth of extra visibility in its media.
Your vote counts
The candidates for the 2026 Trophy of the Independent have now been announced, and they need your help. Alongside our professional six-member jury, the public's votes count too.
Meet all the candidates below and cast your vote by the end of the day on 16 October. On 2 November we’ll reveal the 10 finalists, who will all secure an attractive prize package.
On 18 November, we put them back in the spotlight during the award ceremony. The jury will announce the three winners, who each receive cash and other great prizes. But only one wins the Trophy ...
