Iles de PaixFood for Thought

Nourishing the identity of a historic NGO

As one of Belgium’s oldest NGOs, Iles de Paix’s mission is to promote sustainable food systems across the globe. A thorough overhaul of visuals and messaging, completed pro-bono, firmly re-establishes its vision and values while incorporating an iconic representation of the brand’s fundraising efforts.

Everyone has the right to food. So for 60 years, Belgian non-government organization Iles de Paix has supported farmers and citizens in the development of sustainable food systems, sources of autonomy, security and quality food.

The NGO raises money to fund specific projects in the developing world, each referred to as “une île de paix” – an island of peace – with the aim to move towards impactful change one step at a time. One of its earlier nationwide fundraising campaigns involved selling little plastic figurines, which became an icon across Belgium and are still associated with the brand today.

This humanoid silhouette has become a critical element of the new Iles de Paix identity, incorporated into the logo as a dot above an X, while also acting as a multiplier across the communications. It represents the volunteers, donors, team members, farmers, collaborators, and experts who all contribute to the organization’s meaningful efforts – a human chain around the globe.

Iles de Paix’s outdated visuals and messaging drastically needed to become more contemporary, attractive and dynamic, to compete with younger NGOs and to feel appropriate for a very different, more globalized world than when the organization first began. Through intense workshops with internal and external stakeholders, a total makeover resulted in verbalizing a new mission statement, clearer positioning, a new visual toolbox, a revised tone of voice, various campaign concepts, and even fresh ideas to raise funds.

The work for Iles de Paix was completed entirely pro-bono as part of an ongoing yearly initiative. Given the same resources and dedication as any other project, the team was able to rejuvenate the organization strategically, verbally, graphically and visually, so it can continue its mission to guarantee the right to food through enacting change in the fields, in our cities, and on our plates.

As one of Belgium’s oldest NGOs, Iles de Paix’s mission is to promote sustainable food systems across the globe. A thorough overhaul of visuals and messaging, completed pro-bono, firmly re-establishes its vision and values while incorporating an iconic representation of the brand’s fundraising efforts.

Everyone has the right to food. So for 60 years, Belgian non-government organization Iles de Paix has supported farmers and citizens in the development of sustainable food systems, sources of autonomy, security and quality food.

The NGO raises money to fund specific projects in the developing world, each referred to as “une île de paix” – an island of peace – with the aim to move towards impactful change one step at a time. One of its earlier nationwide fundraising campaigns involved selling little plastic figurines, which became an icon across Belgium and are still associated with the brand today.

This humanoid silhouette has become a critical element of the new Iles de Paix identity, incorporated into the logo as a dot above an X, while also acting as a multiplier across the communications. It represents the volunteers, donors, team members, farmers, collaborators, and experts who all contribute to the organization’s meaningful efforts – a human chain around the globe.

Iles de Paix’s outdated visuals and messaging drastically needed to become more contemporary, attractive and dynamic, to compete with younger NGOs and to feel appropriate for a very different, more globalized world than when the organization first began. Through intense workshops with internal and external stakeholders, a total makeover resulted in verbalizing a new mission statement, clearer positioning, a new visual toolbox, a revised tone of voice, various campaign concepts, and even fresh ideas to raise funds.

The work for Iles de Paix was completed entirely pro-bono as part of an ongoing yearly initiative. Given the same resources and dedication as any other project, the team was able to rejuvenate the organization strategically, verbally, graphically and visually, so it can continue its mission to guarantee the right to food through enacting change in the fields, in our cities, and on our plates.