History

The Special Decoration was established by Royal Decree on August 2, 1889. Prior to its creation, the Industrial and Agricultural Decoration was awarded under similar circumstances.

It is awarded to Belgian citizens in recognition of services rendered to cooperative organisations. These types of organisations, of which five are recognised, are represented on the obverse inscription of the award. The inscriptions include “MUTUALITE – ONDERLINGE BIJSTAND” (Mutuality, for mutual aid societies), “COOPERATION – SAMENWERKING” (Cooperation, for cooperative societies), “UNION PROFESSIONELLE – BEROEPSVERENIGING” (Trade Unions), “PREVOYANCE – VOORZORG” (Providence, for provident and welfare organizations), and “ASSOCIATION AGRICOLE – LANDBOUWVERENIGING” (Agricultural Associations).