Wallonia
Presentation of the Region
Wallonia is one of the 3 Regions of Belgium, which is a Federal State. Wallonia is a region that is naturally open to the world, a place where languages and cultures meet. It is very export-oriented and particularly welcoming. The region has a strong industrial tradition, and has developed strong industrial specialisations based on the one hand on reconversion of traditional industrial sectors (e.g. advanced manufacturing, new materials) and on the other hand on cutting-edge research excellence (biotech and life science). Strong axis of our regional policies are the development of Competitive Clusters (http://clusters.wallonie.be/federateur-en/) in key sectors (life sciences, agri-food, engineering and new materials, transport and logistics, aeronautics and space, and environmental technologies), a comprehensive strategy for digitalisation – Digital Wallonia (https://www.digitalwallonia.be/en) and more recently the Region has endorsed strong ambitions in deploying circular economy through Circular Wallonia (https://economiecirculaire.wallonie.be/sites/default/files/2021-02/Rapp…).
RIS3 Priorities
Wallonia has recently adopted a renewed Smart Specialisation Strategy (2021-2027) – An innovative, competitive, collaborative Wallonia at the service of affirmed economic and societal ambitions. It took as its starting point the response through innovation to the main societal challenges for Wallonia and the analysis of its distinctive strengths. Five strategic innovation areas have been identified :
– Circular materials
– Innovations for enhanced health
– Innovations for agile and safe design and production methods
– Sustainable energy systems and housing
– Agri-food chains of the future and innovative management of the environment
More info : https://s3.wallonie.be/
Political Representatives
Willy BORSUS
Vice-President of the Governement Minister of Economy, Research and Innovation, Digital, Agriculture, Town Planning and Regional Planning and Competence Centers
Regional Contact Persons
Director
Director of the Economic Policy Directorate at the regional administration for Economy, Employment and Research
vincent.lepage@spw.wallonie.be
Senior advisor
Advisor in the Economic Policy Directorate at the Walloon administration for Economy, Employment and Research. In charge of the follow-up of European policies related to innovation and industry and of the regional smart specialisation strategy.
Regional Address
Place de Wallonie 1 5100 Namur Belgium
Brussels Office Address
Rue Belliard 65 1040 Brussels Belgium
Our Pilots
Latest Updates
Adma Energy Pilot Fosters Cross Regional Collaboration Through Study Visits 2023
With the aim of reinforcing cross-regional collaboration taking place within the pilot, the ADMA energy pilot organized two study visits this year. These visits not only brought together experts, but also ignited dynamic conversations and partnerships, unlocking the full potential of offshore energy…
Vanguard Initiative Regions Showcase Best Practices European Week 2023 Events
The European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) 2023 took place last week, and was the opportunity to showcase the achievements of Vanguard Initiative regional ecosystems in various events involving regional stakeholders, industry representatives and the European Commission. The Vanguard Initiative s…
Hydrogen Pilots Stakeholders Meet Hydro Comp Demo Case Inaugural Meeting
On Monday, June 19, the inaugural meeting of HYDRO-COMP demo case partners took place. The conference was organized remotely by Małopolska, Saxony and Slovenia. The event was an opportunity to present the technological potential aimed at achieving the objectives of the demo case, at the same time se…