Analysis report: ‘Mapping Flemish defence innovation ecosystem and changed policy frameworks’
The advisory process was initiated at the request of former Minister for Innovation Jo Brouns in response to the significantly changed geopolitical context, the increase in resources at federal and European level for defence and the opportunities that this may bring for Flanders.
In the meantime, the new legislature has started. In the Flemish Government Agreement 2024-2029, defence is included as a strategic sector for the first time. VARIO believes that the commitment in the Flemish Government Agreement should now quickly lead to a clear, consistent and stimulating policy framework for defence industry and innovation. In doing so, a number of barriers must be removed and elements facilitated.
In support of its advisory report 38 ‘Opportunities and needs for the Flemish defence industry and innovation', VARIO conducted an extensive analysis. An analysis of the opportunities for and needs of the Flemish industry and knowledge institutions in the security and defence theme was bundled within advisory report 38. VARIO now also compiled the results of the analysis of the changed policy frameworks and a mapping of the Flemish stakeholders with a potential in the Flemish security and defence initiatives in a separate analysis report part II.
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Request for advice
The advisory process was initiated at the request of former Minister for Innovation Jo Brouns in response to the significantly changed geopolitical context, the increase in resources for defence at federal and European level and the opportunities that this may bring for Flanders. His intention was that in the next legislature, on the basis of this advisory report, the necessary policy measures can be taken and policy frameworks developed to respond to the various initiatives, to develop a strategic vision that increases Flanders' resilience and to further strengthen and profile Flanders' high-tech economy on the international stage. This is immediately reinforced in the 2024-2029 Government Agreement 'Working together for a warm and prosperous Flanders', which shows the commitment that also Flanders wants to focus on the security and defence industry and innovation.
The actual request for advice contains three sub-questions:
- An analysis of the (changing) policy frameworks in the Walloon Region, NATO, the European Union and its member states, the countries surrounding us;
- An analysis of the (changing) policy frameworks in the Walloon Region, NATO, the European Union and its member states, the countries surrounding us;
- A mapping of the Flemish stakeholders with a potential in the Flemish security and defence initiatives and of the strategic sectors and/or domains.
VARIO advisory report 38 and analysis reports
In view of the Policy Note on Economy, Science, Innovation, and Industry, VARIO chose to timely deliver its advice to the new Minister for Economy, Innovation, and Industry, Matthias Diependaele. The analysis report on which VARIO bases its recommendations was therefore delivered in two parts:
- Analysis report part I focuses on the opportunities and needs for the Flemish defence industry and innovation and is bundled together with VARIO advisory report 38
- Analysis report part II includes the mapping of the Flemish defence innovation ecosystem and an overview of the changed policy frameworks
Mapping Flemish defence innovation ecosystem and changed policy frameworks
In the first part of the analysis report, an overview is given of the policy scope and the relevant actors at Flemish, federal and European level. The revised policy frameworks at Flemish, federal, European and NATO level are then discussed.
The second part includes a mapping of actors and their strengths in the Flemish defence innovation and industry. This information is supplemented with an analysis of the project participation of Flemish actors in e.g. DEFRA (federal) and EDF (European).
In a summary chapter, the domains/technologies in which Flemish actors are active are discussed. This is based on the existing priority domains at the federal and European level, and an initial assessment of the Flemish potential in these areas has been made.
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