2023: the year of sustainability

Financial report 2023

In 2023, DNS Belgium achieved a significant milestone in our long-term commitment to sustainability. We were honoured to be recognised as an ‘SDG Ambassador’ by UNITAR, one of only four Belgian organisations to receive this accolade. 

This recognition underscores our dedication to setting an example for other ICT companies in Belgium. As we proudly carry this title, we remain committed to inspiring other businesses to follow our lead and set new sustainability goals for 2030

Digital inclusion: Digital For Youth 

Our initiative to promote digital inclusion, Digital For Youth, gained momentum in 2023 with the addition of new team members. With a dedicated team of three, we focused on sourcing and refurbishing laptops for children in need. Since its inception in mid-2019, D4Y has distributed over 23,000 laptops, empowering young people to participate in the digital society. 

Leading in fraud prevention 

DNS Belgium continued to excel in fraud prevention, leveraging Artificial Intelligence to scrutinise new registrations. We identified potentially malicious registrations, contributing to our reputation as one of the most fraud-free domain zones globally. In 2023, only 33 out of 1.735 million active domains were found to be involved in fraudulent activities. 

Reflecting broader trends, the number of active domain names slightly declined from 1.745 million to 1.735 million in 2023. This decrease, influenced by the post-COVID economic climate and a global slowdown in domain registrations, highlights the challenge ahead. Our mission is to convince entrepreneurs and internet users that a .be domain and website can bring them value by, among other things, creating a highly secure online environment.

HR

The figures

  • On 31 December, 38 people worked for DNS Belgium, including 30 full-time and 8 part-time employees.
  • Two employees left DNS Belgium in 2023. We recruited two employees.

HR policy  

In 2023, we continued to focus on operational excellence, impeccable HR administration and an inspiring, sustainable working environment.   

Feedback and Growth Opportunities  

We continue to focus on the personal growth and development of our employees, allowing each individual within the organisation to contribute to the success of DNS Belgium. Within our organisation, advancement may at first sight seem limited. To stimulate personal growth and development among our employees, we offer every employee the opportunity to take the next step. This is why every employee can take an internal (360°) and external assessment. Based on the results and feedback from peers and managers, employees can be promoted.    

Expansion HR Committee  

Our HR committee deals with all kinds of strategic and operational HR issues. We had been using the same approach for years and felt it was time for a change. From 14 February, our HR committee was expanded by three additional representatives to improve our HR approach and policy. Nine colleagues applied, and during a selection in January, three employees were chosen to fill this role for 2023. This initiative provides our HR committee with a new dynamic and interesting discussions.  

Right to deconnect and hybrid working  

The government has introduced "the right of deconnection", which affects our flexible way of working. Therefore, we formulated an addendum to our employment contract and a policy in line with these rules, while respecting the government's deadline.  

The last meeting of the hybrid working group took place in February. The decision is that one day a week is mandatory to come to the office, the other days employees can choose where to work, at home or in the office. We provide the necessary materials to be well-equipped both at home and in the office. 

Employer Branding  

Our employer branding project is becoming more and more concrete. Our communications department and HR are taking the next step to highlight our unique position as an employer and attract new talent. Focus in 2023 is on the design and development of the employer page on our website. 

Engagement and collaboration  

Every year, we measure employee engagement and satisfaction with a survey. After analysing the latest Korn Ferry engagement survey, we launched FREETALKS, a live discussion group to discuss five identified challenges, namely :

  • Collaboration across teams
  • Performance management
  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Communication across departments
  • Making timely decisions and at the right level

We use key insights from these discussions to improve cross-departmental collaboration and decision-making and emphasise the importance of continuous feedback. 

Through these initiatives, we remain committed to providing a stimulating and supportive work environment in which our employees can develop and contribute to the success of our organisation. 

Annual accounts

Profit-and-loss account in euro
 2023 2022 20212020
Income 
Income from registration fees

7,545.767 

 7,557,592 

7,516,341

7,253,080

          New names

879,336 

940,347

1,122,432

1,040,330

          Renewals

6,258,580 

6,219,208

5,931,759

5,753,722

          Transfers

276,525 

272,196

335,422

332,030

          Reactivations

96,843 

98,381

93,528

93,889

          Services

24,743 

14,840

16,223

15,286

          Transfers from quarantaine

9,740 

12,620

16,977

17,823

Financial income

67,311 

3,800

1,404

7,321

Other income 

-   

430

-

-

Total income 

7,613,078

 7,561,822 

7,517,745

7,260,401

 
Expenditures 
Personnel costs

5,245,460 

4,618,010

4,162,934

4,006,354

Externe consultancy

346,435 

308,649

294,241

263,551

Costs of technical operations 

1,036,132 

943,939

808,063

705,795

General overheads

997,998 

944,482

863,426

1,005,672

Depreciation

226,053 

226,864

551,864

732,782

Financial costs

16,203 

39,849

29,366

17,581

Sustainability

373,400 

363,299

368,209

351,351

Total costs

8,241,681 

7,445,092

7,078,103

7,083,086

 

 

 

RESULT

-628,603 

116,730

439,642

177,315

Balance

Assets

2023

 2022 

2021

2020

Fixed assets

204,452

273,131

409,215

875,728

Intangible, tangible and financial assets

204,452 

273,131

409,215

875,728

Current assets

8,898,780

9,280,843

9,138,561

7,920,586

Receivables due within one year - Trade debtors

947,424 

962,669

943,663

953,018

Receivables due within one year - Other amounts receivable

215,042 

7,832

26,468

13,831

Cash at bank and in hand

7,322,885 

7,965,809

7,851,295

6,596,790

Deferred charges and accrued income

413,429 

344,533

317,135

356,947

Total assets

9,103,232

9,553,974 

9,547,776

8,796,314

 

Liabilities

2023

2022

2021

2020

Capital and reserves

2,504,014

3,132,616

3,015,886

2,576,244

Surplus carried forward

3,132,616 

3,015,886

2,576,244

2,398,929

Result financial year

-628,602 

116,730

439,642

177,315

Provisions

78,035

-

-

-

Liabilities

6,521,183

6,421,358

6,531,890

6,220,070

Suppliers

662,899 

694,865

856,487

739,726

Taxes, remuneration and social security costs 

1,262,886 

1,082,893

1,030,666

829,892

Advance payment registrars

1,193,066 

1,210,566

1,217,566

1,250,389

Accrued charges and deferred income 

3.402,332 

3,433,034

3,427,171

3,400,063

Total liabilities

9,103,232

9,553,974

9,547,776

8,796,314