A strategic framework until 2034 to align research, innovation and the economy around the Region's strengths and assets.
The Walloon Government today adopted, on the proposal of the Minister for the Economy, Research, Industry and Digital Affairs, Pierre-Yves Jeholet, the new Research - Innovation - Economy Strategy 2027-2034, which will set Wallonia's course for the next eight years in research, innovation and economic development.
This strategy builds on the reform of the innovation landscape and the new framework decree on research. Together, these reforms pursue the same goal: simplifying the Walloon ecosystem, concentrating resources on strategic priorities and strengthening the conversion of research and innovation into economic growth and jobs.
In a context marked by increasingly intense global technological competition, growing industrial sovereignty challenges and the issues identified in the Draghi and Letta reports, Wallonia is choosing to focus its resources more heavily on its strengths in order to boost its competitiveness and its capacity to create added value within its territory.
From dozens of structures to 5 Strategic Innovation Domains
Today, Walloon innovation relies on a landscape made up of several dozen structures. While this wealth reflects the dynamism of the regional ecosystem, it has also led to growing complexity and a lack of clarity for businesses.
To gain efficiency and coherence, the Walloon Government will progressively organise the ecosystem around five Strategic Innovation Domains (SIDs) and five strategic innovation clusters, following a simple principle: One domain, one cluster.
This new architecture will help clarify responsibilities, simplify the process for businesses and direct public resources more effectively towards Wallonia's economic priorities.
The logic is simple: less fragmentation, more clarity, more impact.
The five Strategic Innovation Domains
The Strategic Innovation Domains are not intended to eliminate existing sectors, technologies or ecosystems. On the contrary, they make it possible to bring together Walloon strengths around major application markets and clearly identified economic challenges.
The five selected SIDs are: Decarbonise, focused on efficient energy solutions, sustainable buildings and smart mobility; Industrialise, focused on materials and the industry of the future; Nourish, focused on food systems and bio-solutions for humans and nature; Protect, focused on aeronautics, space and defence; and Care, focused on therapeutic innovations, innovative care and health technology for humans and animals.
Cross-cutting technologies such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity and circularity will continue to run through all the Strategic Innovation Domains. They constitute shared levers that will support several Walloon economic and technological ecosystems.
In close co-creation with the main Walloon innovation stakeholders, work on drafting the SID roadmaps will begin in September.
Concentrating resources for greater impact
The strategy sets the goal of concentrating at least 75% of resources devoted to research, innovation and economic policy around these five domains.
The ambition is clear: to turn the page on scattering public resources and concentrate investment where Wallonia has the best economic, scientific and industrial assets.
This strategy will pursue five major objectives: strengthening the strategic alignment of public policies, increasing the economic value creation of research, simplifying the innovation landscape, developing more collaborative innovation and strengthening the European participation of Walloon stakeholders.
A stronger Wallonia in tomorrow's Europe
Built on an in-depth analysis of Walloon economic strengths and broad consultations involving businesses, universities, research centres and sector federations, notably as part of the Forum Industriel Wallon, this strategy aims to better position Wallonia within the major European programmes and strategic value chains of tomorrow.
For Pierre-Yves Jeholet: "Wallonia has solid assets: recognised talent, innovative businesses and high-performing research centres. The challenge today is to better transform these strengths into economic activity, growth and jobs.
That is the whole purpose of this strategy. By concentrating our resources on five strategic domains that match our strengths and future markets, we are choosing efficiency and impact.
Our objective is clear: create more value in Wallonia, accelerate innovation within our businesses and sustainably strengthen our competitiveness. Every euro invested must help generate more activity, investment and jobs in our territory.
By 2034, we want to position Wallonia among the European regions that matter in innovation. A Wallonia that makes better use of its research, attracts talent and investment, and turns ideas into concrete economic opportunities more quickly."