For a better readability of the Brussels research and innovation support tools Interview with Dr Daniele CARATI, President of the Science Policy Council of the Brussels-Capital Region (CPSRBC) and technological careers and entrepreneurship; strengthening the support and guidance of innovative companies throughout their development; strengthening support for potential niches of specialisation (health, environment, ICT); stimulating the approach to urban challenges through initiatives such as ‘living labs‘; and developing a more concerted and inter-regional policy on animal experimentation. Finally, we highlighted certain cross-cutting issues such as supporting the transfer of knowledge from the academic world to the private and public sectors, exploiting Brussels' international image and developing cooperation with other regions. In addition to this memorandum, at the end of September 2020, the Council issued an opinion on the ERDF 2021-2027 programming. This opinion concerns the framework, priorities and budget lines that will commit the Brussels region for the coming years. Part of these commitments obviously concerns research and innovation.
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ould you tell us about the CPSRBC's expertise in Brussels research and innovation? The Council develops expertise in the analysis of scientific policy and not in research or innovation as such. It aims to achieve a balance between representatives of university and higher education institutions, employers, workers‘ representative organisations and representatives of collective research centres. The participation of the four Vice-Rectors on the Board is as much justified by their political and strategic role within their institutions as by their scientific expertise. Similarly, the representatives of workers‘ or employers‘ organisations have an in-depth knowledge of the world of research but are not necessarily personally involved in research activities. The Council's expertise therefore lies more particularly in its good understanding of the various facets and implications of scientific policy for the Brussels Capital Region.
How do you view regional policy on science, research and innovation? Although science, research and innovation would certainly like to benefit from more material support, we can be pleased that public resources for R&D have increased by almost 50% between 2009 (€34M) and 2021 (€57M). This is one of the largest increases among the Belgian federated entities. This awareness of the economic importance of research and innovation is reflected in regular consultations between political decision-makers and research players, which go well beyond the relatively formal framework of the Science Policy Council.
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What opinions have you recently issued? Just before the formation of the current government, the Committee had provided a detailed memorandum based on five pillars: strengthening the supply of human capital by stimulating scientific
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What do you think are the main challenges to be taken up in order to stimulate research and innovation in Brussels? Maintaining, and ideally increasing, the level of funding for actions in support of Brussels research and innovation is certainly the first challenge. Dedicated regional budgets are quite limited and the current crisis is further highlighting some of the Region's immediate needs in very many sectors. Investing in research and innovation, the benefits of which are very rarely observable in the short term, will therefore require real vision and a strong political support. Fortunately, the pandemic is also highlighting the importance of this research and should motivate quite broad support. Another challenge is related to the definition of a new regional innovation plan that will identify the priorities in terms of research and innovation funding for the coming years.
