Flanders is represented at ERRIN jointly by VLEVA, VLAIO and WEWIS.
VLEVA (Liaison Agency Flanders-Europe) is a public-private partnership, consisting of 35 member organisations from Flemish civil society and local governments. Our mission is to open up European policy to Flemish governments and civil society. This way they can promote their European interests in a timely and informed manner. We create a platform for Flanders in Europe, and underline how important Europe is to Flanders.
Office address: Kortenberglaan 71, 1000 Brussel
Website: https://www.vleva.eu/en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VLEVA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vleva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vlevavzw
VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) is a regional public research and innovation agency providing grants to Flanders-based companies and managing economic instruments supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Flanders. VLAIO manages e.g. research, development, innovation and cluster programmes and vouchers, as well as implements knowledge cooperations among research organisations, start-ups and scale-ups. The agency acts as the National Contact Point in Horizon, is partner in Enterprise Europe Network and is the ERDF managing authority for the region.
Office address: Simon Bolivarlaan 17, bus 345, 1000 Brussels
Website: www.vlaio.be
WEWIS (Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation & Social Economy) is administration for the cabinet of minister for Science and Innovation of the Flemish government. The department does the policy preparation, monitoring and evaluation of the Flanders’ scientific and innovation activities and related economic support programs and mechanisms. EWI does the policy coordination for building coherent innovation ecosystems and smart value chains. EWI staff are active as national/regional delegates in the EU programme committees of Horizon, in international organisations and research fora. EWI is also member of the Vanguard Initiative and connects with its interested R&I stakeholders to get engaged in smart interregional cooperations (projects, policy initiatives).
Office address: Simon Bolivarlaan 17, bus 345, 1000 Brussels
Website: https://www.ewi-vlaanderen.be/
Contact detail
S3 Strategy
Flanders’ smart specialisation strategy is centred around 10 priority investment domains that correspond and are being aligned in synergy with the four Flanders' Strategic Research Centres. These are IMEC (microelectronics and digitalisation), VITO (cleantech and energy), VIB (biotech and life sciences) and Flanders Make (advanced and smart manufacturing), as well as 6 Flanders Specialisation Clusters active in sustainable chemistry, agri-food, advanced materials, smart transport and logistics, smart energy, and blue economy. Flanders is active in the S3 partnerships bioeconomy, 3DP and agri-food as pilots for the interregional innovation investment fund 2021-2027 and in the Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms such as personalised health, bioeconomy and batteries.
Latest Updates
- By Astrid Hannes
New report: Circular Cities and Regions Pilot Solutions: Insights, impacts, and replication paths
From 2023 until 2025, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative has supported 12 European cities and regions to test what it really takes to turn circular economy ambition into practical, local and systemic solutions. Their examples in developing Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS) across various sectors and focus priorities, form the foundation of this booklet. This compilation brings together the insights and solutions developed through the CCRI Pilot programme between January 2023 and October 2025. It highlights not only what the Pilots achieved, but how they did it: the partnerships they built, the barriers they faced, the tools they used and developed, and the lessons that can help others accelerate their own transitions.
- By Astrid Hannes
Get inspired by success stories of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative
During an online webinar on 11 December, 12 success stories of regions and cities that piloted circular systemic solutions in their territories with support of the Circular Cities and Regions initiatives were presented. We encourage ERRIN members to check the recordings of this webinar, as the lessons learned and experiences shared can inspire other local and regional authorities to launch new local and regional circular initiatives across Europe.
- By Astrid Hannes
Cascade calls opening: BlueActionBANOS is igniting community action to restore our waters
The BlueActionBANOS project has launched two major open calls to fund local and regional projects across the Baltic and North Sea basin. Inspired by the EU Mission Ocean, these calls provide financial support for local and regional authorities, NGOs, educational institutions, professional associations, research organisations and industry. With support ranging from 100.000 up to 2 million euros, these calls support community-led actions and the development of transition agendas to restore local marine and aquatic environments. Online information sessions are taking place on 10 and 16 December 2025.
- By Astrid Hannes
Blue Action Banos: a new project empowering Communities to Restore our Ocean and Waters
The BlueActionBANOS project, putting local communities at the heart of ocean restoration, has been kicked off. By providing cascade funding, expert guidance and hands-on support, the project will empower communities across the Baltic and North Sea region in implementing innovative solutions that address pollution, restore ecosystems, and accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy.
- By Ana Nava
EIT Water launched: new European innovation community to accelerate solutions for water resilience
EIT has launched EIT Water, a new EU-wide innovation community addressing water resilience, marine and freshwater ecosystem protection, and the sustainable blue economy. The initiative will offer major opportunities for regions to engage in research, innovation and capacity-building.
- By Ana Nava
CO-WATERS takes off: consortium meets in Rimini and upcoming needs assessment workshop
The CO-WATERS consortium held its first in-person meeting in Rimini in November, bringing together all partners and pilot territories to review early progress and define priorities for supporting Europe’s waterfront cities, regions and islands in their blue transition. Stakeholders are now invited to join an online workshop on 3 December 2025 to help identify needs, discuss challenges and shape the forthcoming CO-WATERS support offer and label.