Flanders Technology & Innovation
Brussels, 5 October 2022
The government of Flanders is launching Flanders Technology & Innovation (FTI) today. The project will tackle five major societal challenges over the coming months.
“Culture is our wealth, technology our future,” said Flanders Minister-President Jan Jambon in his September Declaration at a plenary session of the Parliament of Flanders on 29 September 2022.
Under the name of the legendary technology fairs, which took place between 1984 and 1999, the government of Flanders is now launching a contemporary project and a promotional campaign on innovation. The intention is to bridge the gap between Flanders’ cutting-edge technology, which is highly regarded internationally, and segments of the population who have a gloomy outlook on the future. Flanders Technology arose in a time of economic crisis when Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain. Even today there is a conviction that technology can generate (progress) optimism.
With FTI’s slogan, ‘Welcome to Domorrow‘ (‘Welkom in de Doekomst’), the Flanders government is referring to the need for real solutions to major issues.
First technology fair in 2024
Flanders Minister-President Jan Jambon is breathing new life into the concept of technology fairs to be held in 2024, more than 40 years after the first edition: “Through Flanders Technology & Innovation, we present ourselves as the world’s leading technology laboratory, while tackling major societal challenges. FTI will be an important community building project.”
Stakeholders will work on five societal challenges between now and March 2024: climate & energy (energy tech), health (health tech), education & labor market (Flanders Next Academy), data & digitization (data tech) and entertainment & media (entertainment tech). The working structure of themed symposia, bringing together academics, companies and the government, has been adopted. An event week is then planned in March 2024 to present the findings.
The starting budget for the project is 13 million euros
FTI and FIT
“Working together is crucial to overcome this crisis and create a better future,” said Flanders Minister-President Jan Jambon. FIT will also put its weight behind the initiative, which is also aimed at consolidating the position of Flanders on the international map as an innovative knowledge region.
For the development of the themes, the government of Flanders is going to set up a company in which private sector investors can also become shareholders. A more flexible collaboration will be possible as a result, as well as increased cross-fertilization between all kinds of organizations.
Launching video
Watch on fti.vlaanderen the launching video with Minister-President Jan Jambon, Minister of Innovation Jo Brouns, other members of the Flanders Government, CEO's and specialists (NL only – English version soon.
The September declaration of the Flanders Government (“Septemberverklaring” 29/9/2022) can be viewed here te herbekijken (NL only).
