On 3 October 2024, driven by Jacqueline Galant, the Walloon Government and the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation launched the work on the administrative simplification shock, with a clear commitment: to present it by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Today, that promise has been kept. Gathered around the Minister for Administrative Simplification, the two Governments are unveiling their joint strategy. “Our sole driving force is to concretely simplify people's lives. That is what guided us in building a credible yet ambitious simplification shock. We know where we are going, how we are getting there and within what timeframe. Of course, 30 years of administrative practices will not change in six months, but it was essential for users that certain key measures should already come with a clear timetable,” Jacqueline Galant stresses.
Two fully mobilised Governments
Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of Wallonia, explains: “I am approached practically every day about the administrative complexity of our Region. Administrative simplification is now an absolute necessity for a more efficient Wallonia that is closer to its citizens. Less complexity means more efficiency. With this shock, we are launching an unprecedented transformation to lighten procedures and free up time, for businesses, the administration and citizens alike”.
The administrative simplification shock: a strategy designed FOR users
The Governments' strategy addresses a major expectation of users: simplifying their lives in their dealings with the administration. From all the meetings with civil society stakeholders, the Governments identified 4 key expectations from users:
- A customer-oriented administration: placing users, their needs and expectations at the heart of its operation
- Reducing paperwork and processing times
- Making procedures more accessible and understandable
- Reducing and better targeting inspections
The Governments are responding to these expectations with a strategy based on three interdependent levers:
A cultural shift within public authorities
The expected changes will only materialise with a cultural shift within the administration. It must move away from a procedure-based culture towards a results-oriented culture and genuine customer focus.
On a proposal from the Minister for the Civil Service and Administrative Simplification, the two Governments have decided to build an unprecedented new management model, which will form the basis for the cultural shift within the administration. It is based on accountability, including financial accountability, of top managers and on establishing a results-based culture.
Alongside making managers accountable, support for change will also be provided to administrative staff. The aim is to genuinely transform deeply entrenched administrative practices.
A modernisation of the administration
The Governments are committing to an unprecedented modernisation of the administration:
- Digitalising administrative procedures (while keeping physical counters);
- Streamlining the accumulating websites and online platforms;
- Developing modern, cross-cutting digital tools for the benefit of staff (pre-filled forms, single personalised window, single subsidy platform, etc.);
- Reducing, reorganising and streamlining administrative structures
Jacqueline Galant explains: “From the very start of this work, it was clear that we would not simplify standards and procedures using the methods and tools used for the past 30 years. Simplification is now a priority for the Governments. The administration will need to move towards genuine customer focus and a results-based culture. Managers will be held accountable and staff will be supported. We will not succeed in this challenge without them”.
For the user: concrete measures and a precise timetable
Since the Governments were formed, dozens of administrative simplification measures have already been taken. The Governments' goal is to act quickly across all public policy areas. As a result, more than 300 administrative simplification measures have already been identified. This list keeps growing day by day. Here are a few examples with set timeframes:
Within the remit of the Walloon Minister-President responsible for Budget, Finance, Research and Animal Welfare and Minister of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation responsible for Research :
- Automation of property tax reductions: End of 2026
- Support for the Walloon defence industry through the revision of the decree on arms export licences: 2025
- Simplification of the animal ownership permit: 2026
Within the competences of the Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation responsible for Budget, Higher Education, Culture, International and Intra-Francophone Relations:
- Revision and simplification of the programme-contract model for Cultural Centres: 2027
- Launch of a broad simplification programme for the cultural sector: simplifying self-assessment in theatre: 2026 and the PECA Cultural and Artistic Education Pathway for cultural partners 2025.
- Introduction of E-Paysage (IT platform for simplifying the management of student enrolments): 2027
Within the competences of the Deputy President of Wallonia and Minister for Spatial Planning, Infrastructure, Mobility and Local Authorities:
- Simplification of town planning permit application forms, first step towards dematerialisation: 2025 (dematerialisation: 2027)
- Simplification of the procedures for installing an electric vehicle charging cable on the pavement: 2026
- Simplification of the road decree (abolition of the provincial level, simplification of the road network scheme, etc.): 2028
Within the competences of the Deputy President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and Minister for Education and Social Advancement Education:
- Revision of steering plans for schools and management: 2026
- Gradual application of the “Only Once” principle for all information relating to parents and pupils: Launch in 2025
- CEPAGE - platform for processing teachers' salaries (for staff members): 2031
Within the competences of the Deputy President of Wallonia and Minister for Economy, Industry, Digital Affairs, Employment and Training:
- Support for SMEs in their recruitment through the extension from 6 months to 1 year to fill a position following the granting of Sesam aid: June 2025
- Abolition of the mandatory unemployment day after temporary work before activating Impulsion aid: June 2025
- Simplification and acceleration of investment grants: June 2025
Within the competences of the Walloon Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Early Childhood and Deputy President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation for Childhood, Youth, Youth Assistance and Justice Houses:
- Simplification of procedures for childcare project developers: 2026
- Introduction of a single set of rules for the three sectors of out-of-school care: 2026
- Granting the CGT access to town planning databases to issue certifications: 2028
Within the competences of the Walloon Minister for the Civil Service, Administrative Simplification, Digitalisation and Sports Infrastructure and of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation for Sport, Civil Service, Administrative Simplification and Media:
- Single, personalised window: 2027
- Dematerialisation of environmental and town planning permits: 2027
- Simplification of grant applications for amateur sport: 2026
Within the competences of the Walloon Minister for Health, Environment, Solidarity and Social Economy and of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation for Health, Equal Opportunities and Women's Rights:
- Simplification of individual disability assistance: 2025
- Simplification of funding and monitoring of operators: 2026
- Dematerialisation of the environmental permit: 2026
Within the competences of the Minister for Energy, Air-Climate Plan, Housing and Airports:
- Overall reform of renovation support for greater clarity and sustainability: End of 2026
- Housing Agency: 2027
- Single DSO (distribution network operator): Launch in 2026
Within the competences of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs:
- Simplification of derogation procedures for protected species: 2025
- User journey for farmers: 2025
- Simplification of the CAP strategic plan: 2026
Non-exhaustive list of organisations already met as part of the administrative simplification work, in random order:
AKT for Wallonia, UCM, SNI, Le Forem, l’AWEX, le SPW EER, Wallonie-Entreprendre, l’IFAPME, la FEB, Comeos, le SPW TLPE, l’AWAC, le SPW MI, le Fonds du Logement de Wallonie, la Société wallonne du Crédit Social, le Centre d’Études en Habitant Durable, Embuild, les GRD, la CWaPE, la FEBEG, le Fonds des calamités, WBI, SPW Finances, le SPW ARNE, le Conseil wallon du bien-être animal, le Secrétariat général du SPW, les Pôles de compétitivité, les Universités et Hautes-Écoles, Waltech, Fédération belge du notariat, l’Ordre des architectes, l’Union wallonne des architectes, Union Professionnelle du Secteur Immobilier, la Commission Régionale d’Avis pour l’Exploitation des Carrières, l’Association des Provinces wallonnes, la Fédération wallonne des Directeurs Généraux communaux, la Fédération wallonne des Directeurs financiers des Pouvoirs locaux, la Fédération wallonne des Directeurs généraux de CPAS, la Fédération des CPAS, la Fédération des Receveurs régionaux wallons, la FWA, la FJA, UAW, la FUGEA, UNAB, le Bauernbund, la FEVIA, le Collège des Producteurs, l’OPW, la Filière Bois Wallonie, la Confédération belge du bois, Royal Saint Hubert Club, CTEJ (Chambre des Théâtres pour l’Enfance et la Jeunesse), FEAS (Fédération des Employeurs des Arts de la Scène), La Concertation Action Culturelle Bruxelloise ASBL, AEF, BIJ (Bureau International de la Jeunesse), CREF (Conseil des Rectrices et Recteurs), CIC (Conseil interréseaux de Concertation des Hautes Écoles), ARES, Directions des ESA, le Secrétariat Général de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Commissaires/Délégués du Gouvernement, FEF, Syndicats de l’enseignement supérieur, Fédération des Pouvoirs Organisateurs, Organisations syndicales de l’Enseignement, Associations de parents, Directions d’écoles, AGE, le Secteur des hébergements, le Secteur des attractions, le Secteur des organismes touristiques, l’AWap, la CGT, le SAJ (Service d’Aide à la Jeunesse), SRJ (Service résidentiel pour jeunes), SPJ (Service de protection de la jeunesse), IPPJ, Aide à la Jeunesse, Maisons de justice, ONE, AVIQ, Unessa, Santhea, Fermabel, la L.U.S.S, les OA, les syndicats du monde de la santé, le Réseau wallon de lutte contre la pauvreté, Centia, Canopea.
The full list of civil society organisations already met as part of the simplification shock work is included at the end of the press pack