The Walloon Government has adopted a new framework decree on research at first reading. Driven by the Minister for the Economy, Industry and Research Pierre-Yves Jeholet, and Minister-President Adrien Dolimont, this reform pursues a clear goal: to more effectively turn research into economic activity and jobs in Wallonia.
The decree thoroughly modernises a framework that had become too complex and insufficiently results-oriented, in order to speed up the transition from innovation to production and market.
A necessary refocus
In a demanding economic context, Wallonia must make bold choices: use public money more effectively, speed up the transformation of innovation into economic activity, and strengthen the competitiveness of businesses.
Innovation is not a luxury. It is a lever for growth, jobs and attractiveness.
The diagnosis is clear:
- Too few research results are currently translated into concrete applications and economic activity.
- The institutional landscape has become too complex and too fragmented: a multitude of players, overlapping programmes, and a lack of continuity along the innovation chain.
- Governance and evaluation lack rigour when it comes to impact: insufficiently defined performance indicators and resources too scattered to generate significant impact.
In light of these findings, and in line with the 2024-2029 Regional Policy Statement, the Government has opted for a simpler, more coherent and more effective framework.
Respecting the nature of research, strengthening collective accountability
Research does not always lead to an immediate result, and that is normal.
Exploring, testing, sometimes not succeeding: this is an integral part of the scientific process.
The aim is not to impose an obligation of success on every project, but an obligation of rigour, coherence and responsibility in the use of public funds.
Supporting research, yes. But with a clear requirement: to extract maximum added value from public investment.
“I want to equip Wallonia with a modern, clear and operational tool, capable of recreating momentum by turning innovation, as much as possible, into concrete results for the Walloon economy. Wallonia invests heavily in research. It must now get more out of it. ” Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Minister for Research.
This decree fits within regional policy (Digital Wallonia, Circular Wallonia) and links with innovation reforms already under way.
A modernised support mechanism
The new framework decree introduces a more flexible, clearer and more selective mechanism, particularly for high-impact projects, aligned with regional priorities.
In concrete terms, it provides for:
- Support in the form of grants or recoverable advances, aligned with clear strategic priorities set by the Government;
- A rigorous selection process based on objective criteria;
- Performance indicators tailored to each type of support, particularly in terms of regional economic impact;
- A periodic evaluation of the mechanism, every 7 years (to ensure stability and consistency with European cycles), supported by a strategic committee of experts.
Three types of players are involved: companies, approved research and knowledge-dissemination bodies, and players in scientific and technological culture.
The framework decree also allows the Government to recognise approved research centres, with the possibility of suspending or withdrawing that recognition if the criteria are not met.
A more flexible, faster mechanism, better suited to businesses’ needs
The mechanism can now better respond to businesses’ needs, thanks to several adjustments:
- Possibilities of support for pre-industrial projects and experimentation;
- Continuous selection, calls for projects based on needs and shorter timeframes;
- Creation of “project portfolios”, to group several trials of the same product under a single application, simplifying evaluation and decision-making.
A secure framework aligned with Europe
The framework decree is now fully aligned with the European requirements of the GBER (General Block Exemption Regulation, which governs state aid) and facilitates access to European funding for businesses and research players.
The mechanisms cover R&D projects, research infrastructure, support for SMEs, process and organisational innovation, rules applicable to international projects, and scientific and technological culture.
Efficiency at a constant budget
The non-economic activities of research organisations, training, independent R&D, dissemination and transfer, continue to be supported. The decree also strengthens mechanisms for valorising results.
This reform is being carried out with a constant budget (nearly €250 million per year), with an increased requirement for efficiency.
Our goal is simple: to make research a direct engine of economic recovery for Wallonia.
Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President: “Structuring the support mechanisms for research and innovation is now essential to ensure that public funds are invested effectively. This will in no way reduce the attention Wallonia pays to the essential work of innovation players. Quite the opposite: by embedding a culture of accountability based on processes of objectification and project evaluation, this development will help strengthen the concrete impact of this research and innovation work on economic activity. With this reform, we want to increase the implementation rate of R&D projects in the day-to-day life of our businesses.”