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 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, and more recently, the Region has endorsed strong ambitions in deploying circular economy through Circular Wallonia.
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 can be found here.
Political Representatives
Willy BORSUS
Vice-President of the Government 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
Strong Emphasis Industrial Needs And Challenges 3Dp Pilot Project
Over the last weeks, the 3D-Printing Pilot project has put a particular emphasis on three key action lines, which resulted in some promising progress. Within the currently identified strategic collaboration areas (“demo cases”) companies from the partner regions are actively working on the specifici…
Successful First Steering Committee Efficient And Sustainable Manufacturing Pilot Project
After the approval of the 2019 Action Plan during the Network Representatives’ Meeting, which took place in Brussels on February 20th, the Pilot activities started immediately to boost progress according to the plan. In particular, on 14th March the first ESM Steering Committee of 2019 was organised…
Bioeconomy Pilot Project Participate Several European Events Organised Bio Based Sector
The Bioeconomy Pilot is having a busy spring and will participate in several events organised by the bio-based sector, both as speakers and moderators of technical sessions. The first event took place on3rd Aprilin Ljubljana, with the title “Boosting Innovation for EU Industry, Industrial Infrastruc…