Flanders accelerates innovation in the fields of security and resilience
In a rapidly evolving international landscape, security, resilience and technological capability are becoming increasingly important. Flanders therefore wants to speed up the transition from research to concrete applications with both societal and economic impact. Through the Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (FISD), the Flemish Government is pursuing a coherent approach built on collaboration, targeted investment and international valorisation.
This strategy is highly relevant for the blue economy: maritime technology is one of the key strategic focus areas within the FISD. Within this domain, Blue Cluster plays an active role in connecting and strengthening the maritime ecosystem.
From Flemish strengths to international cooperation
The European market for security technologies is growing rapidly. Flanders has strong companies and research institutions across a wide range of domains, including maritime applications, drones and aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotechnology, autonomous systems, and energy, environmental and geospatial intelligence.
Through the FISD, these Flemish strengths are translated into concrete innovation pathways that respond to domestic needs while also tapping into opportunities across Europe and beyond. The focus lies on bringing together companies, knowledge institutions and government around clear priorities, enabling faster progress towards scaling, industrialisation and export.
Investing in scale-up and long-term impact
To support these ambitions, Flanders is allocating an initial budget of €5 million, with a growth path towards €50 million per year by 2029. These resources are intended not only to develop innovative technologies, but also to ensure they mature into market-ready solutions that can integrate into international value chains, creating lasting added value for Flanders.
Maritime technology: security and the blue economy
Many innovations within the blue economy already contribute to security and resilience, often without being developed exclusively for that purpose. Examples include technologies for:
- monitoring and situational awareness at sea;
- protection of critical maritime and offshore infrastructure;
- data-driven support for shipping and ports;
- autonomous and unmanned systems for inspection and intervention.
Because maritime innovations often have both economic and security applications, they offer unique added value. By positioning maritime technology as a priority domain within the FISD, additional opportunities emerge to strengthen blue economy solutions and support their international deployment.
Blue Cluster as a connector within the maritime ecosystem
Within the FISD, programme managers are appointed for each domain to build and activate innovation ecosystems. In the case of the maritime domain, this role is fulfilled by Blue Cluster.
In practice, this means bringing maritime stakeholders together around shared roadmaps and innovation priorities, fostering collaboration between companies and knowledge institutions, and showcasing Flemish maritime strengths in European and international contexts. In this way, Blue Cluster helps accelerate the journey from idea to impact within the blue economy.
Beyond funding: guidance, networking and visibility
In addition to financial support, the FISD places strong emphasis on guidance and ecosystem development. Flemish actors are supported in finding partners, accessing test and research infrastructure, and connecting to European programmes. Visibility is also reinforced through events and networking moments, such as the Defence Innovation Flanders Days.
At the same time, Flanders is working on a regulatory framework that enables international cooperation, with due attention to legal certainty, responsibility and careful governance.
What does this mean for you?
For companies, start-ups, research organisations and technology developers active in the blue economy, the FISD offers a clear lever to:
- accelerate innovation projects;
- establish new partnerships;
- scale solutions towards international applications and markets.
Blue Cluster will continue to actively support this trajectory by connecting maritime actors, identifying opportunities and making innovation visible, acting as a driving force for a safe, resilient and future-oriented blue economy.
👉 Do you have an innovative project idea, are you looking for concrete partnerships, or would you like to explore how the FISD can strengthen your organisation? Get in touch with Eveline Buyck.
Launch event
On 6 February, the Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (FISD) will be officially launched with the event “A boost for Flemish innovation in security and industry: from strategy to action”. Government, companies and knowledge institutions will come together to translate the strategy into concrete collaborations and next steps.
