An adjective and noun, from the Ancient Greek para, besides, next to, and the Latin status, the State. In a general sense this word can be considered a synonym of semi-public, para-public, on the fringes of the State. Frequently used in Belgian administrative law, this word designates organisations totally or in part confined to or controlled by the government. These public interest organisations are, more precisely, legal persons in public law created through or in accordance with a legislative Act. The budgets of these organisations have to be approved by the Chamber of Representatives. These bodies are divided up into four categories: A, B, C and D.

Type A public interest organisations are legally distinct from the State, but are subjected to the hierarchical line management of a Minister who exercises managerial powers. Examples: the Buildings Agency, the Federal Agency for the reception of Asylum Seekers (FEDASIL), the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chan (AFSCA), the Federal Planning Bureau, etc.

Type B public interest organisations have a certain technical autonomy from an administrative and financial point of view, and an organic autonomy in terms of decision making and management, but are subject to the supervision of the Minister they are accountable to. Examples: the National War Invalids Institute, the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, the Fine Arts Museum, etc.

Type C public interest organisations, which exercise financial activity, have wide reaching autonomy. Examples: the National Export Credit Agency, the Insurance Ombudsman, the National Lottery, etc.

Type D public interest organisations carry out their activities in the area of social security. Their autonomy is more limited than that of the category C bodies. They are in principle subject to the joint management of the social security organisms. Examples: the National Social Security Office (ONSS), the National Employment Office (ONEM), the National Annual Holidays Office, the Accident at Work Fund, the National Office for Family Allowance for Salaried Employees, etc.