About VARIO
The Flemish Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VARIO) provides strategic advice to the Flemish minister responsible for science and innovation policy, and by extension to the Flemish Government, and the Flemish Parliament.
VARIO offers advice on the complete innovation chain, from fundamental scientific research at universities, to applied research aiming at valorisation and the transformation of industry, the services sector and Flemish entrepreneurship.
Mission and vision
Mission
Excellent, ambitious and successful research, innovation, and entrepreneurship determine prosperity and well-being in Flanders. This requires efficient and targeted policy.
Vision
VARIO aims to use strategic advice to impact policy to stimulate research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Who is VARIO?
Council members
Staff members
Regulation
The advisory council was established by the Flemish Government by decree on 14 October 2016. Its mandate was renewed in November 2020. On March 19th 2025, VARIO approved its revised by-laws.
VARIO is administratively embedded in the Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy of the Flemish Government.
Activities of the current year and past years
Work program 2025
VARIO colloquium 2024
Agenda
VARIO has live meetings about once a month. In between, there are regular online consultations and VARIO members can also provide input in writing.
20 VARIO key indicators
In 2020, VARIO developed a qualitative set of indicators for science and innovation. The result is a set of 50 indicators classified according to a number of broad categories of objectives, covering the broad spectrum of the science and innovation system. From these, a selection of 20 core indicators was made. These core indicators allow to monitor structural evolutions in the Flemish S&I landscape. Four of the proposed (sub)indicators cannot yet be monitored; these indicators still need to be developed. The core indicators are reported biannually in the Flemish indicator book
