Privacy policy

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for the processing of personal data collected through this website is:

Vanguard Initiative for New Growth Through Smart Specialisation VZW
Square de Meeus 1
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Registration Number: 0678.446.308

Contact Email: klaus.niederlander@s3vanguardinitiative.eu
Contact Phone: +32 (0)497 578707

2. Applicable Legislation

This Privacy Policy has been drafted in accordance with:

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR)
Applicable Belgian data protection legislation

3. Personal Data We Collect

Depending on the use made of this website, the following categories of personal data may be collected:

Identification data (such as name and surname)
Contact data (email address, telephone number)
Professional data (organisation, role, sector)
Technical data (IP address, browser type, operating system)
Usage data (navigation data, interaction with the website)
Any information voluntarily provided through contact forms or email communications

The user guarantees that the personal data provided is accurate and up to date.

4. Purpose of Data Processing

Personal data collected through this website will be processed for the following purposes:

To respond to enquiries, requests for information, or contact messages
To manage communications with stakeholders, partners, or interested parties
To provide information about initiatives, projects, events, or activities promoted by Vanguard Initiative
To improve the functioning, security, and content of the website
To comply with applicable legal obligations

Personal data will not be processed for purposes incompatible with those described above.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

The legal bases for processing personal data are:

The data subject’s consent, where applicable
The performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures
Compliance with legal obligations
The legitimate interests of Vanguard Initiative, provided that such interests do not override the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject
6. Data Retention

Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and, where applicable, for the time required to comply with legal, accounting, or administrative obligations.

Once the retention period has expired, the personal data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

7. Data Recipients

Personal data may be communicated to:

Internal staff of Vanguard Initiative duly authorised to process the data
Service providers acting as data processors (e.g. hosting providers, IT services), under appropriate data processing agreements
Public authorities, where required by law

Personal data will not be sold, rented, or transferred to third parties for commercial purposes.

8. International Data Transfers

As a general rule, personal data is processed within the European Economic Area (EEA).

In the event that personal data is transferred outside the EEA, such transfers will be carried out in accordance with GDPR requirements, using appropriate safeguards such as adequacy decisions or standard contractual clauses.

9. Data Subject Rights

Data subjects have the right to:

Access their personal data
Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data
Request the erasure of their data (“right to be forgotten”)
Request the restriction of processing
Object to the processing of their data
Request data portability, where applicable
Withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent prior to its withdrawal

To exercise these rights, data subjects may send a written request to:
klaus.niederlander@s3vanguardinitiative.eu

10. Right to Lodge a Complaint

If a data subject considers that their data protection rights have been infringed, they have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

In Belgium, this is the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit).

11. Data Security

Vanguard Initiative implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk, in order to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure, or access.

12. Cookies

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience and analyse website usage.

Detailed information about the use of cookies is available in the Cookie Policy.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Vanguard Initiative reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time in order to reflect changes in legislation, case law, or internal practices.

Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically.

14. Contact

For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal data, please contact:

Email: klaus.niederlander@s3vanguardinitiative.eu
Phone: +32 (0)497 578707