How can I boost digital innovation and research in my company?

Digital innovation is at the heart of regional strategies. Walloon companies have access to a wide range of funding and support opportunities from regional partners ready to support digital innovation and research projects.

Walloon companies are increasingly focused on innovation and research. In 2017, their R&D activities amounted to more than 4.6 million euros, representing 2.1% of the GDP (compared to 1.3% in Brussels, 2% in Flanders, and 1.4% in Europe). With this above-average rate, Wallonia is on track to achieve an innovation intensity of 3% (a target defined in the Europe 2020 strategy).

According to the CIS survey developed by the European Commission, nearly 70% of Walloon companies are engaging in innovation. Among them, more than 20% focus on high-tech technological innovations, and over 40% integrate digital aspects into the innovations they develop. The survey also shows that 32% of Walloon companies have received public support and guidance for their research and innovation activities. This rate is higher than in Flanders (25%) and Brussels (30%).

Digital Innovation at the Heart of Regional Strategies

Digital technologies and solutions are central to all regional strategies and recovery plans. Various support measures are being and will be made available to companies engaged in digital innovation, aligned with at least one of these strategic priorities. Here’s the role of digital technology in the following strategies:

Digital Wallonia
Digital Wallonia is Wallonia’s digital strategy. It sets the framework within which all actions of the Walloon Government regarding digital transformation are undertaken. The strategy is built around five key themes: the digital sector, the economy through digital, connected and intelligent territories, digital administration, and digital skills.

Smart Specialization Strategy (S3)
The S3 is the strategic framework for Wallonia’s Research and Innovation policy and its industrial policy. Through strategic innovation domains (DIS), it defines the strategic innovation levers for Wallonia's recovery plan and European structural funds, aiming to position Wallonia as an international leader. Digital and advanced technologies are key cross-cutting levers for all five chosen DIS: circular materials, innovations for enhanced health, innovations for agile and secure design and production methods, sustainable energy systems and housing, future agri-food chains, and innovative environmental management.

Circular Wallonia
The strategy for deploying the circular economy aims to evolve towards a carbon-neutral, resilient, and inclusive economy. It defines innovation as a catalyst to mobilize all actors in transforming both supply and demand. The strategy focuses on priority value chains: plastics, construction and buildings, water, food industry, transport, metallurgy, and textiles. The strategy also includes a green IT vision (developing environmentally friendly digital technologies, more rational use of ICT) and IT 4 Green (digital technologies as an accelerator for ecological and circular transition).

Recovery and Resilience Facility (FRR)
The European recovery and resilience plan supports a green, digital, and resilient transition. Wallonia has a budget of 1.48 billion euros under this plan to support its post-COVID recovery. The actions selected in January 2021 align with the priorities of Get up Wallonia. A total of 24 actions focus on green transition, including its economic dimension, digitalization, sustainable mobility, living together, and training.

Get up Wallonia
Get up Wallonia is a post-crisis strategy that defines, based on a large public consultation collecting over 9,000 proposals, Wallonia’s key needs and its vision for 2050. The strategy’s axes will be adopted in spring 2021. The Walloon Economic and Social Council (CESE Wallonia) published a report outlining 11 priority axes to support recovery. Among these, continued digitalization is mentioned as the third key action.

Diversified Funding and Support Opportunities
To achieve its research and development goals, particularly in technology, the Walloon Region offers a wide range of support for businesses, research actors, and science and technology dissemination organizations. Below is a list of aids available to companies with operations in Wallonia:

Enhancing Scientific and Technological Potential
Through partnerships with universities, higher education institutions, and research centers in Belgium and internationally, companies can hire a researcher to develop industrial or experimental research. Examples include programs like First Entreprise, First Entreprise International, and First Entreprise Docteur. A medium-sized company can receive a grant covering 60% of industrial research costs and 45% for experimental development.

Innovation Project Support
Companies that already have technological and digital innovation projects can apply for grants to hire a technological innovation manager (RPR). The subsidy covers 35-70% of the salary for a duration of 6 months to 2 years. This gives the company an internal resource responsible for innovating in product design, manufacturing process studies, or technological research.

Acquiring Knowledge Transfer
Wallonia offers a support package of up to 200,000 euros over three years, allowing companies to benefit from technical support, software studies, marketing consultancy, and technology transfer advice with a 75% financing rate.

Innovation of Processes or Organization
The OP IN aid finances between 15% and 50% of expenses related to process or organizational innovation, improving production or distribution operations, or developing human resources management and performance-oriented management.

Participating in Technological Innovation Partnerships
Walloon companies can participate in calls for projects launched by one or more competitiveness clusters. These innovation projects involve measurable research contributing to Wallonia’s economic and social development. They must include a digital dimension and aim to support technological innovation.

Cross-border and Trans-regional Projects
European structural funds such as FEDER offer R&D aid to companies. Wallonia has received support for projects contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth, including digital and technological innovation. Programs like Horizon Europe and the EIC Accelerator also provide opportunities for Walloon companies.

Support Actors for Digital Innovation
Several actors in Wallonia support innovation, particularly in digital and technological areas. These include the SPW (Walloon Public Service for Economy, Employment, and Research), the Enterprise Europe Network, and several research centers, competitiveness clusters, and universities offering research expertise and development opportunities.

European Centers for Business and InnovationThe Walloon EC BICs (European Centers for Business and Innovation) are support and assistance organizations for SMEs and innovative entrepreneurs, with the mission of developing the local industrial fabric. Below is a list of the CEEIs:

• Economic Office of the Province of Namur (Namur)
• Intercommunal Association for Sustainable Economic Development of the Province of Luxembourg (Arlon)
• Entreprendre.wapi (Tournai)
• CAP Innove (Nivelles)
• Charleroi Entreprendre (Charleroi)
• La Maison de l'Entreprise (Mons and La Louvière)
• CEI Louvain-la-Neuve (Louvain-la-Neuve)
• Eklo (Liège)

Walloon Hubs

• Luxembourg – Green Hub
• Liège – Plug R
• Seraing – Seraing Creative Hub
• Verviers – Verviers Creative Hub
• Namur – TRAKK
• Louvain-La-Neuve – Open Hub
• Charleroi – Charleroi Métropole Creative Hub
• Mons – Le Click
• Walloon Picardy – Wap’s Hub

Most of these creative hubs support digital innovation projects.Incubators and AcceleratorsThese organizations are tasked with assisting startups during their design and growth phases. Digital Wallonia has identified Walloon incubators and accelerators.Living LabsLiving labs are spaces that bring together public and private actors to test new services, tools, or uses in real-world conditions. They support innovation projects and foster exchange, ideation, and co-creation.Fab LabsFabrication laboratories (Fab Labs) are spaces dedicated to prototyping objects.Coworking SpacesEspecially through coworking business vouchers, coworking spaces welcome project holders in a productive and dynamic environment. They have the opportunity to be advised, supported, and trained in the development of their digital innovation projects.Intercommunal Economic DevelopmentIntercommunal organizations are entities that animate stakeholders and support businesses at the municipal and provincial levels. They implement projects aimed at supporting territorial development that meets local challenges.Digital Wallonia PartnersBelow is a list of Digital Wallonia's partners. These value chain actors contribute to and support digital innovation in Wallonia:

• Support and development
• Financing and participation
• International and exportation
• Promotion and dissemination
• Research and technology
• Awareness and training

Would you like to get concrete feedback from Walloon companies that have benefited from innovation assistance? You can download the brochure: Innovation Assistance: 20 Companies Share Their Stories or consult an aid, a success story.