VRT, the Dutch-language Belgian public broadcaster, has confirmed that they will not participate in Junior Eurovision 2025.
VRT has confirmed to Eurofestivales that they will not be returning to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2025. Speaking to the outlet the broadcaster explained that they are interested in the competition, however are currently unable to participate due to a lack of budget.
RTBF, the French-language Belgian broadcaster, has not stated yet whether they will participate in Junior Eurovision 2024.
Belgium last participated in Junior Eurovision in 2012. Their participation was initially shared between VRT and RTBF but VRT was solely responsible for the selection of Belgian entries from 2006 to 2012.
Junior Eurovision 2025
Andria Putkaradze from Georgia won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Madrid with “To My Mom”. Unlike at the Eurovision Song Contest next years host is not automatically the winner of the last contest, the EBU is working with all interested broadcasters and will announce a host in the coming weeks.
A number of countries have either confirmed their participation in Junior Eurovision 2025 or signaled their intention to compete:
In addition, Croatia and Lithuania are both examining returns to the competition in 2025. However, Estonia has confirmed it will withdraw due to budget cuts at the broadcaster. The following broadcasters have confirmed they have no plans to return:
🇧🇪 Belgium – VRT
🇩🇰 Denmark – DR
🇮🇱 Israel – KAN
Image source: Okras | Source: VRT
Belgium took part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest from 2003 to 2012. From 2005 onwards, VRT was in charge of selecting their entries, due to a lack of interest from Wallonia and RTBF. The country hosted the 2005 contest in the city of Hasselt, hosted by Maureen Louys and Marcel Vanthilt at the Ethias Arena. Their best entry came from Laura Omloop and her song “Zo verliefd (Yodelo)”, which finished in 4th position at the 2009 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. However, VRT withdrew from the competition in 2013 in order to launch a new show for young performers in Belgium.
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