Thematic projects of the call 2020-2021
@ntidote 2.0 - Cyberviolence: defining borders on
permissibility and accountability
Thematic project
Keywords: Cyberviolence, e-commerce, Hate speech, Internet service providers,
Non-consensual distrubtion of intimate images, Social media
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2020 - 15/03/2023
- Budget: 457.557€
- Coordinator: Walrave Michel (UAntwerpen)
- Promotors: Franssen Vanessa (ULiège), Mathys Cécile (ULiège), Van De Heyning Catherine (UAntwerpen),
Vrielink Jogchum (USL-B)
- BELSPO programme manager: Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the art: Cyberviolence: defining borders on permissibility and accountability (@ntidote)
- Policy Brief n° 1: @NTIDOTE 2.0
- Final
Report: Cyberviolence: defining borders on permissibility and accountability (@ntidote 2.0)
- Samenvatting: Het @ntidotum tegencybergeweld
- Résumé:
L’@ntidote contre lacyberviolence
- Summary:
Finding the @ntidote forcyberviolence
- Media
- Event
- 08-12-2022 > 09-12-2022
@ntidote Expert workshop on evidence-based cyberviolence policy in
Europe
Programme
BESWEP - The Belgian Short-time Work scheme: Economic
and Psychological impacts
Thematic project
Keywords: Short-time work, Economic impact, Unemployment insurance,
Socio-psychological impact, COVID-19 crisis
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2020 - 15/03/2025
- Budget: 646.495€
- Coordinator: Dejemeppe Muriel (UCLouvain)
- Promotors: Cockx Bart (UGent), De Cuyper Nele (KU Leuven), De Witte Hans (KU Leuven), Stinglhamber
Florence (UCLouvain), Cahuc Pierre (Sciences Po Paris)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle, Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of the
Art: The Belgian Short-Time Work scheme: Economic and Psychological Impacts
- Theory and Empirics of Short-Time Work: A Review

- Final Report:
The Belgian Short-Time Work scheme: Economic and Psychological impacts (BESWEP)
- Samenvatting: Het Belgische stelsel van tijdelijke werkloosheid economische:
economische en psychologische effecten (BESWEP)
- Résumé: Le
régime belge de chômage temporaire: effets économiques et psychologiques (BESWEP)
- Summary: The
Belgian Short-Time Work Scheme: Economic and Psychological Impacts (BESWEP)
- Publication
- Regards économiques: Le chômage temporaire en Belgique
: un outil efficace et bénéfique, à condition d'en maîtriser l'usage
- Gentse Economische Inzichten: Jobs beschermen in tijden van crisis met
tijdelijke werkloosheid: lessen uit onderzoek
- Event
- 8.12.2025 - Study morning
The Belgian Short-Time Work Scheme: Economic and Psychological Impacts, Pathways to a More
Effective and Human Policy
More
information
Presentations
EPIBEL - EPidemics and Inequalities in BELgium from the
Plague to COVID-19: what can we learn about societal resilience?
Thematic project
Keywords: Pandemics, Resilience, Inequalities, Medium-and Long-term Impact,
Differential Mortality
- Duration of the project: 4 years
- Budget: 841.788€
- Coordinator: Soens Tim (UAntwerpen)
- Promotors: Devos Isabelle (UGent), Eggerickx Thierry (UCLouvain), Greefs Hilde (UAntwerpen)
- BELSPO programme manager: Emma Moerman, Chloë Rogiers
Documentation
FUTURES4FOOD - Connecting futures and
stakeholders of food systems by designing effective transition trajectories
Thematic project
Keywords: Food systems, Stakeholders, Farm to Fork strategy, Inclusivity, Climate
change, Sustainable agriculture
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2020-15/03/2025
- Budget: 1.140.806€
- Coordinator: Vandamme Anne-Mieke (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: Baret Philippe (UCLouvain), Mathijs Erik (KU Leuven), Van Looy Bart (Flanders Business)
- BELSPO programme manager: Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the Art: Connecting futures and stakeholders of food systems by designing effective
transition trajectories (FUTURES4FOOD)
- Final
Report: Connecting futures and stakeholders of food systems by designing effective
transition trajectories (FUTURES4FOOD)
- Samenvatting: Maatschappelijke actoren van voedselsystemen verbinden met
toekomstbeelden door het ontwerpen van effectieve transitiepaden (FUTURES4FOOD)
- Résumé: Relier les parties prenantes des systèmes alimentaires à des
horizons ambitieux : concevoir des trajectoires de transition effectives (FUTURES4FOOD)
- Summary: Connecting futures and stakeholders of food systems by designing
effective transition trajectories (FUTURES4FOOD)
- Event
- 26.02.2025 - Closing event FUTURES4FOOD
Accelerating transitions in the agri-food sector, Looking back and moving forward
In the framework of the Futures4Food programme -a transdisciplinary research project
funded by BELSPO-, Flanders Business School, KU Leuven and Université Catholique de Louvain
are pleased to invite you to their closing event on research in the field of food system
transitions.
The Futures4Food project initiated, developed, supported and analysed two participative
trajectories with a specific emphasis on building collective system knowledge as well as
target and transformation knowledge. These two trajectories were conducted within the
agri-food value chain in Belgium: the transition in cereal production from feed to food
(“Futures4Food cereal dynamic”) and the transition in consumption from animal to
plant proteins (“Flemish Green Deal Protein Shift on our plate”).
During their closing event, the Futures4Food team will share their insights through
presentations and a panel discussion, with room for exchange:
-
What is the status of these two transitions at the level of different stakeholders including
policy makers?
-
What initiatives are ongoing to accelerate these two transitions?
-
How can food system stakeholders further accelerate these two transitions?
We welcome all types of food system stakeholders, including private actors, civil servants and
academics.
More information and registration....
- Presentation
HELICON - Unravelling the long-term and indirect
health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium
Thematic project
Keywords: Health inequalities, Health economics, Delayed healthcare use,
Socio-demographic resilience, Cohort, Excess mortality
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2020-15/03/2025
- Budget: 1.021.815€
- Coordinator: Devleesschauwer Brecht (Sciensano)
- Promotors: De Smedt Delphine (UGent), Gadeyne Sylvie (VUB), Speybroeck Niko (UCLouvain)
- Follow-up
committee
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle, Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the Art: Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in
Belgium (HELICON)
- Final
Report: Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in
Belgium (HELICON)
- Samenvatting: Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the
COVID-19 crisis in Belgium (HELICON)
- Résumé:
Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium (HELICON)
- Summary:
Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium
(HELICON)
- Events
- 15.12.2025 - HELICON - BRAIN-be project – Closing meeting
We are pleased to invite you to the final event of the HELICON project, which will take place on
Monday, 15 December 2025, from 09:30 to 14:00, in Room Storck at the Eurostation building (Rue
Ernest Blérot 1, Brussels).
Over the past four years, HELICON has aimed to unravel the long-term and indirect health
impacts of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium, with a particular focus on social
inequalities. The project examined how the pandemic affected different population
groups, both through the disease itself and through the wider consequences of the crisis, such as
disruptions in health care and shifts in health care use. By bringing together researchers,
policymakers, and stakeholders, HELICON has generated evidence to guide future health
policies and improve pandemic preparedness.
During this closing event, the HELICON team will present the main findings of the
project, highlighting key insights into health inequalities and the direct and indirect effects
of COVID-19. National experts, including Isabelle Devos, Niel
Hens, and Marius Gilbert, will share their perspectives on the lessons
learned from the pandemic and reflect on strategies to strengthen public health surveillance and
response. The program will conclude with a panel discussion on how to better
translate scientific evidence into effective policy, followed by a networking
lunch to exchange ideas and explore future collaborations.
Registration | More information
- 22-01-2025 - Webinar HELICON
Health of children and young adults during the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental and physical health and family
dynamics of children and young adults in Belgium. Scientific research shows that they have faced
unique challenges ranging from interrupted education and socialization to increased stress and
anxiety.
HELICON brings together four leading researchers to discuss the challenges facing children and
young adults during the pandemic. Recognizing and addressing these challenges is essential to
developing targeted and effective responses to protect the youngest.
Join us as our experts explore the complexities of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
the health of children and young adolescents, and share their insights on formulating effective
health strategies. This webinar serves as a platform to equip participants with the knowledge
needed to foster a more targeted response to the current challenges posed by COVID-19.
More information, programme and registration.... 
- 16-01-2024 - Webinar HELICON
Beyond the virus: Addressing gender disparities during COVID-19
Gender disparities during COVID-19 extend far beyond infection rates. Scientific evidence
indicates that the indirect effects of COVID-19 have disproportionately impacted women. Gender
intersects with economic, social, environmental, and health factors, creating a complex web of
challenges. This webinar explores how these differences manifest across various facets of the
crisis, spanning from the workplace to the home.
HELICON has invited five leading researchers in the field to discuss the health risks faced by
different genders during the pandemic. Recognizing and addressing these gender-specific challenges
is not only a matter of equity but also crucial for developing targeted and effective
responses.
Join us as our experts delve into the intricacies of gender disparities and share their insights
on formulating effective health strategies. This webinar serves as a platform to equip
participants with the knowledge needed to foster a more inclusive and targeted response to the
ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19.
The event is free, but registration is required.
More information, programme and registration... 
- 21-06-2023 - Webinar HELICON
Impact of COVID-19 on Belgian health care
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the ability of the Belgian health system to adapt to external
shocks. Different approaches were taken to manage the pandemic, such as postponing care, expanding
capacity, reorganising care services, etc. In order to further develop a resilient health system,
there is a need to understand the impact on the Belgian health care system and how well it has
recovered since. HELICON has invited four leading experts to provide more information on the
impact of the COVID-19 crisis in general practices, care facilities and hospitals. The webinar is
free but registration is required
More information, programme and registration... 
- 01-02-2023 - HELICONference
Social differences in COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination has been demonstrated to be an effective public health prevention tool during
the crisis. COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to lower the risk of developing severe COVID-19
infections and of dying due to COVID-19. Although Belgium has a high overall COVID-19 vaccination
coverage, there are still differences between population groups with regard to vaccination
willingness and uptake. In this webinar, leading experts will provide more information on social
differences in COVID-19 vaccination in Belgium, potential explanations for these differences and
strategies to prevent them. The event is free, but registration is required.
More information, programme and registration... 
- 22-09-2022 - HELICONference
Mental health reprecussions of the COVID-19 crisis
The mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis is a major public health concern. The spread of
SARS-CoV-2 has placed unprecedented strains on society. Known risk factors for poor mental health
heightened (e.g., insecurity, unemployment), whereas protective factors (e.g., social connections,
daily routine) declined drastically. Impressive data collection efforts have been made early-on in
the crisis to investigate the mental health burden of the crisis on the Belgian population.
More information, the programme and
registration... 
- 27-04-2022 - Webinar HELICON
Data needs during the COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the scientific community. Belgian
researchers have increasingly gained insight in procedures and tools needed to navigate this
crisis and in this process, data has been vital to understand, manage and prevent the spread of
the virus and its pervasive consequences. With creative approaches and unique collaborations,
several data problems have been solved successfully. Other data needs, however, have remained
unfulfilled. This webinar focusses on potential obstacles and gaps in the available research
infrastructure but it also provides examples of innovative data use and research opportunities
during the COVID-19 crisis. This knowledge may be instrumental for the ongoing COVID-19 research,
as well as for managing potential future health crises. Together with leading data experts, we
also discuss the challenging balancing act between data accessibility and data security.
This webinar is organized jointly with the AHEAD project
(Towards the development of a National Health Data Platform).
Info and registration
| Presentations & Recording Webinar Live Stream 
- 12-01-2022 - Webinar HELICON
Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on cancer care
Cancer care in Belgium has been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unprecedented policy
measures were implemented to create extra capacity for COVID-19 patients, including postponing all
non-urgent consultations, medical tests, and interventions for cancer patients. Recent increases
in hospital admissions and sickness absence among hospital personnel present major challenges for
cancer care. A clear understanding of the delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment is imperative
to understand the health impact on cancer patients, a particularly vulnerable group within this
pandemic. Three leading researchers in the field will share their latest findings on cancer care
disruptions in Belgium and the related health effects.
Info and registration 
- 30-06-2021 - Webinar HELICON
Burden of post-COVID conditions in Belgium: current insights and future
perspectives
As the population of patients recovering from COVID-19 grows, it is becoming increasingly clear
that COVID-19 has the potential of causing long-lasting health effects. Some people develop
post-COVID health conditions after being first infected with the virus, even after mild or
asymptomatic infections. Many uncertainties still exist regarding the causality, the onset of the
symptoms, the combination of symptoms and the treatment of post-COVID. In the framework of the
HELICON project, three leading Belgian scientists have been to share their views on this enigmatic
disease. In this first #HELICONference webinar, they will unveil the latest insights into
Post-COVID in Belgium and provide an outlook on the future developments in post-COVID research.
Info and registration
| Presentations & Recording Webinar Live Stream 
- Publications
- HELICON is featured in the latest issue of Science Connection (page 32) in Dutch or French
- Overview recent COVID-19 research in Belgium
- Estimation of delayed health care [RIZIV-INAMI 2021]
The report from the Hospital Audit Service presents estimates for the delays in Belgian hospital
care between March 2020 and May 2021, as well as predictions for the time needed to overcome these
delays. Analyses are performed for different surgical interventions, internal medicine health care
and psychiatric health care.
Published: 03 December 2021
Please find the link to the full-text: English - Dutch - French.
- Confirmed COVID-19 Cases per Economic Activity during Autumn Wave in Belgium
[Verbeeck et al. 2021]
In the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Verbeeck and colleagues
provide an assessment of Belgian COVID-19 incidence per economic activity under varying
non-pharmaceutical interventions in the autumn 2020 wave. The 14-day incidence of confirmed
COVID-19 cases was modelled per economic sector (NACE–BEL) building on exhaustive data for all
Belgian employees.
Published: 27 November 2021
Please find the link to the full-text: English
- Long COVID: Pathophysiology – epidemiology and patient needs [KCE
2021]
The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) provides an extensive overview of the current
literature on the epidemiology and the pathophysiological mechanisms of Long COVIDs. In addition,
the report includes results from an online survey among 1395 Belgian Long COVID patients to
identify their unmet needs. The last chapter is dedicated to the available interventions and
health care programs that may (in part) fulfill these identified needs.
Published: 26 October 2021
Please find the link to the full-text: English
Please find the link to the peer-reviewed article: Dutch
- COVIMPACT: Long-COVID and the health consequences after three months of
follow-up [Smith et al. 2021]
Smith and colleagues assessed the health of Belgian Long-COVID patients using two surveys: one
just after the confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test and one three months later. This report
shows that 47% of the 1658 respondents reported at least one COVID-19 related symptom three months
after the diagnosis. In this group, one out of two persons reported at least three different
symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms were fatigue, headache, and memory or concentration
problems. In addition to the physical consequences, the report also sheds light on the mental and
social health impact after a COVID- 19 infection.
The full report is available: Dutch or French
- KCE Trials
- LCOV21-1294: Pulmonary rehabilitation for Long COVID (PuRe-COVID)
- LCOV21-1303: Immediate and long term cognitive and quality of life
improvement after cognitive versus emotion management psychoeducation programs: a randomised
trial in covid patients with neuropsychological difficulties - CovCOG
- COVID-19 inequalities:
- Long-COVID:
- Indirect impact:
IPV-DACOVID - Intimate Partner Violence:
During and After COVID
Thematic project
Keywords: Intimate partner violence, Change, Public policies, Covid, Impact
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2020-15/03/2023
- Budget: 718.142€
- Coordinator: Glowacz Fabienne (ULiège)
- Promotors: Coene Gily (VUB), Fallon Catherine (ULiège), Vanneste Charlotte (NICC-INCC)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the Art: Intimate Partner Violence - During and After Covid (IPV-DACOVID)
- Final
Report: Intimate Partner Violence During and After Covid (IPV-DACOVID)
- Samenvatting: Intimate Partner Violence During and After Covid (IPV-DACOVID)
- Résumé:
Intimate Partner Violence During and After Covid (IPV-DACOVID)
- Summary: Intimate Partner Violence During and After Covid (IPV-DACOVID)
- Event
- 13-10-2023 - Journée d’Etude IPV-DACOVID
Violences entre partenaires intimes pendant et après la crise Covid ( IPV-DACOVID).
Impacts sur les pratiques des professionnel.les et les politiques publiques
Nous avons le plaisir de vous inviter à une journée d'étude qui clôture la recherche IPV- DACOVID
(financée par BELSPO) menée par les équipes de l'ULiege, de la VUB et de l'INCC. Elle se déroulera
le 13/10/23 à la Cité Miroir à Liège. Résultats de la recherche, présentation de pratiques et
projets professionnels autour de la thématique des violences conjugales mettront en lumière les
impacts, les innovations et les enseignements d'après crise ainsi que les perspectives et
recommandations pour le futur. Cette journée intersectorielle sera l’occasion d’échanger des
connaissances et des bonnes pratiques.
[Programme et inscription
].
13-10-2023 - Studiedag IPV-DACOVID
Intiem partnergeweld tijdens en na de Covid-crisis (IPV-DACOVID). Impact op professionele
praktijken en overheidsbeleid
We nodigen u graag uit op een studiedag ter afsluiting van het onderzoek IPV-DACOVID (gefinancierd
door BELSPO), uitgevoerd door teams van ULiège, VUB en NICC. De studiedag vindt plaats op 13/10/23
in de Cité Miroir in Luik.Onderzoeksresultaten, presentaties van professionele praktijken en
projecten op het gebied van huiselijk geweld zullen de impact, innovaties en geleerde lessen in de
nasleep van de crisis belichten, evenals perspectieven en aanbevelingen voor de toekomst. Deze
sectoroverschrijdende dag zal de gelegenheid bieden om kennis en goede praktijken uit te wisselen.
[Programma en registratie
]
LAMARTRA - Bridging decarbonization and labour
market in sustainability transitions
Thematic project
Keywords: Sustainability transitions, Labour market, Future of work,
Scenario-building, Policy mixes, Environmental justice
- Duration of the project: 4 years
- Budget: 1.063.029€
- Coordinator: Bauler Tom (ULB)
- Promotors: Delvenne Pierre (ULiège), Ferreras Isabelle (UCLouvain), Lenaerts Karolien (KU Leuven),
Sebastien Brunet (IWEPS)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Policy briefs & governance recommendations
- Reports
- State of the
Art: Bridging decarbonisation and labour market in sustainability transitions (LAMARTRA)
- Final
report: Bridging decarbonisation and labour market in sustainability transitions (LAMARTRA)
- Samenvatting: Bridging decarbonisation and labour market in sustainability
transitions (LAMARTRA)
- Résumé:
Bridging decarbonisation and labour market in sustainability transitions (LAMARTRA)
- Summary:
Bridging decarbonisation and labour market in sustainability transitions (LAMARTRA)
- Deliverables
- Publications
- Kemp, R., Pel, B., Scholl, C., & Boons, F. (2022), Diversifying Deep Transitions: Accounting for
socio-economic directionality; Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Volume 44,
September 2022, 110-124,
- Battilana, J., Yen J., Ferreras, I. & Ramarajan, L. (2022), Democratizing Work: Redistributing Power in Organizations for a democratic and
sustainable future, Organization Theory, Vol. 3: 1-21.
- Pel, B., Fransolet, A., Ferreras, I., Barslund, M., Delvenne, P., Delvaux, S., Apostel, A.,
Perez Sepulveda, S., Lenaerts, K., Calay, V., Parotte, C., Lajarthe, F., Charles, J., Crismer, T.,
Callorda Fossati, E., Bauler, T. (in progress), Elaborating Work in Transitions: Conceptual,
normative and methodological advances towards emancipating sustainability transitions research,
extended abstract accepted for special issue Environmental Innovation & Societal
Transitions
- Participation in seminars and conferences
- Pel, B., Fransolet, A., Delvaux, S., Ferreras, I., Barslund, M., Delvenne, P., Lenaerts, K.,
Calay, V., Parotte, C., Callorda Fossati, E., Bauler, T. (2022), Lost in the Dual Transition:
Theoretical, methodological and normative cleavages in Labour/Decarbonisation transition
discourse, paper presented at 14th International Conference of the European Society for Ecological
Economics (ESEE), Pisa (ITA), June 14-17
- Pel, B., Fransolet, A., Delvaux, S., Ferreras, I., Barslund, M., Delvenne, P., Lenaerts, K.,
Calay, V., Parotte, C., Callorda Fossati, E., Bauler, T. (2022), Lost in the Dual Transition:
Theoretical, methodological and normative cleavages in Labour/Decarbonisation transition
discourse, paper presented at International Sustainability Transitions conference, November 21-25
2022, Melbourne/Washington/Stellenbosch + ONLINE
- Delvenne,P. Delvaux,S. & Parotte, C. (2022), A deeper sense of urgency: a plea for
responsible exnovation, paper presentation at workshop on 'Responsible Research and Innovation
in/under urgency', Athens (Greece), June 2022
- Delvaux, S. (2022), How do knots get tied? Ecological goods in environmental markets, the case
of aquaponics in Belgium, paper presented at the European Association for the Study of Science and
Technology (EASST) conference, Madrid (ESP) 6-9 July 2022
- Ferreras, I. (2022), la contradiction capitalisme et démocratie au travail, inaugural lecture at
Université Libre de Bruxelles, April 22 2022, Brussels
- Ferreras, I. & Charles, J. & (2022), Seminar ‘Territoires Zéro Chômeur de Longue
Durée’, seminar organized at Académie royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux, June 22
2022, Brussels
- Pel, B. (2022), The interplay between digitalisation and the green transition, blog on webinar
14/12/2022
- Barslund, M., & Apostel, A. (2022), Green employment in Belgium, Presentation of results
from deliverable D3.4.1c at the Belgian Day for Labour Economists (BDLE), 07/10/2022
- Barslund, M. (2023). Green employment in Belgium. Blog post on the presentation at the BDLE.
- Ferreras, I. & Charles, J. (2022), Démocratiser l’emploi et le travail. Le cas de
l’expérimentation Territoires Zéro Chômeur, paper presented at the CRIMT 2022 conference,
October 27, 2022, HEC Montreal.
- Ferreras, I., Countouris, N., Doorey, D., Eaton, A., Pulignano, V. & Fine J. (2022), The
Critical Challenges faced by the Quest for Better Work, workshop at the CRIMT 2022 conference,
October 27, 2022, HEC Montreal.
- Ferreras, I. & Warren, J. (2022), Chaire SFPI Seminar “ESG Workshop”, seminar
organized by the Chaire SFPI at Académie royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux Arts,
December 14, 2022, Brussels.
- Pérez Sepúlveda, S. (2022), Transition écologique et démocratization des entreprises : cadre
sociologique de l’étude WP5-LAMARTRA, oral presentation in TED seminars (Travail,
Démocratie, Enterprise), CriDIS, UCLouvain, December 8, 2022, Louvain-La-Neuve.
- Ferreras, I. & Warren, J. (2022), Chaire SFPI Seminar “Limits of ESG”, seminar
organized by the Chaire SFPI at Académie royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts,
November 24, 2022, Brussels.
- Ferreras, I. (2022), Seminar « Le Rapport Meadows a 50 ans. Des rapports Science, Technologie et
Société », Royal Academy of Belgium, public session of the Class Technology and Society, October
22, 2022, Brussels.
- Ferreras, I. (2022), « La démocratie pour regénérer l’entreprise », Trans-Mutation -
L’Université d’été des dirigeants privé et public, August 30, 2022, Louvain-la-Neuve.
- Ferreras, I. (2022), Workshop “Author Meet Critics”, SASE (Society for the
Advancement of Socio-Economics) Annual Meeting, July 10, 2022, University of Amsterdam.
- Events
- 26.05.2025 - LAMARTRA Final Conference:
Towards a Green, Just and Competitive Future?
Governing the Labour and Climate Transitions through Democratization
About the Conference:
Achieving sustainability within planetary boundaries requires profound transformations in how we
produce, consume, and work. The LAMARTRA project has explored how these transitions can be
governed to achieve both climate objectives and just work and employment opportunities.
This conference will present key research findings and discuss how climate and labour transitions
can be governed democratically—through social dialogue, consultation, and worker participation—to
ensure fair and inclusive outcomes.
Key themes include:
Hosted by the LAMARTRA project, this event will dive into:
-
Employment risks and opportunities linked to decarbonization
-
Workers participation at firm level for the transitions
-
The role of social dialogue for governing the transitions
-
The role of visions about the future in selected sectors
Full programme and registration available here: https://lamartra.be/lamartra-final-conference/
REFUFAM - From policy gaps to policy innovations.
Strengthening the well-being and integration pathways of refugee families
Thematic project
Keywords: Integration policies, Migration policies, Refugees, Citizenship,
Integration, Migrant family
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2020 - 15/03/2025
- Budget: 1.298.276€
- Coordinator: Vandevoordt Robin (UGent)
- Promotors: Beeckmans Luce (UGent), Berger Mathieu (UCLouvain), Desmet Ellen (UGent), Geldof Dirk
(Odisee)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative and Gendered
approach to Guide Returnees to their Home country
Thematic project
Keywords: Returnees, Restorative justice, Reintegration, Gender, Holistic
- Duration of the project: 5/12/2020 - 15/03/2025
- Budget: 1.002.092€
- Coordinator: Lechkar Iman (VUB)
- Promotors: Detry Isabelle (NICC-INCC), Fadil Nadia (KU Leuven), Vrielink Jogchum (USL-B)
- BELSPO programme manager: Emma Moerman
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the art: A Holistic, Restorative and Gendered approach to Guide Returnees to their Home
Country
- Rapport de
recherche: Les parcours socio-judiciaires des returnees en Belgique : état des lieux des
acteurs impliqués et des procédures mises en place
- Onderzoeksrapport:: De sociaaljuridische trajecten van terugkeerders in
België : stand van zaken van de betrokkene actoren en van de bestaande procedures
- Rapport
de recherche: Parcours de réinsertion sociale des returnees en Belgique. Une analyse au
départ des dossiers des assistants de justice et de la banque de données commune.
- Onderzoeksrapport: Sociale re-integratietrajecten van terugkeerders in
België. Een analyse op basis van de dossiers van justitieassistenten en de gemeenschappelijke
databank.
- Final
Report: A Holistic, Restorative and Gendered approach to Guide Returnees to their Home
country (REGUIDE)
- Samenvatting: A Holistic, Restorative
and Gendered approach to Guide Returnees to their Home country (REGUIDE)
- Résumé: A
Holistic, Restorative and Gendered approach to Guide Returnees to their Home country (REGUIDE)
- Summary: A
Holistic, Restorative and Gendered approach to Guide Returnees to their Home country (REGUIDE)
- Policy Brief
- Policy Brief nr. 1: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and Gendered
Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: Voicing the experience of children and their
(foster) parents about the (re)-integration process into society
Policy Brief n° 1: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and Gendered
Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: Voicing the experience of children and their
(foster) parents about the (re)-integration process into society
Policy Brief no. 1: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and Gendered
Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: Voicing the experience of children and their
(foster) parents about the (re)-integration process into society
- Policy Brief nr. 2: REGUIDE - Een holistische, herstellende en
gendergerichte aanpak om terugkeerders naar hun thuisland te begeleiden: Media rapport
Policy Brief n° 2: REGUIDE - Une approche holistique, réparatrice et
sensible au genre pour guider les rapatriés vers leur pays d'origine : rapport médiatique
Policy Brief no. 2: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and Gendered
Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: Media Report
- Policy Brief nr. 3: REGUIDE - Een holistische,
herstelgerichte en genderbewuste aanpak om terugkeerders te begeleiden naar hun land van
herkomst: de ontwikkeling van een Duurzame Herstelgerichte Aanpak (SRA) voor gevangenissen en
probatie
Policy Brief n° 3: REGUIDE - Une approche holistique,
restaurative et genrée pour accompagner les returnees vers leur pays d’origine: développer
une Approche Restaurative Soutenue (ARS) pour la prison et la probation
Policy Brief no. 3: REGUIDE – A Holistic, Restorative, and
Gendered Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: Developing a Sustained Restorative
Approach (SRA) for Prison and Probation
- Policy Brief nr. 4: REGUIDE - Een holistische, herstellende
en gendergerichte aanpak om terugkeerders naar hun thuisland te begeleiden: Rapport Politieke
debatten
Policy Brief n° 4: REGUIDE - Une approche holistique,
réparatrice et sensible au genre pour accompagner les returnees vers leur pays d'origine :
Rapport débats politiques
Policy Brief no. 4: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and
Gendered Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: Political debates Report
- Policy Brief nr. 5: REGUIDE - Een holistische, herstellende en
gendergerichte aanpak om terugkeerders naar hun thuisland te begeleiden: een blik op de
sociaal-juridische trajecten
Policy Brief n° 5: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and Gendered
Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: a view on the socio-judicial pathways
Policy Brief no. 5: REGUIDE - A Holistic, Restorative, and Gendered
Approach to Guide Returnees to their Home Country: a view on the socio-judicial pathways
- Policy Brief nr. 6: REGUIDE - Re-integratie vanuit het perspectief van
Belgische Returnees uit Syrië
Policy Brief n° 6: REGUIDE - La réinsertion vue par les Belges revenu-e-s
de Syrie
Policy Brief no. 6: REGUIDE - Reintegration from the perspective of
Belgian returnees from Syria
- Policy Brief nr. 7: REGUIDE - De re-integratie van Belgen die terugkeren
uit Syrië vanuit het perspectief van begeleidende instellingen
Policy Brief n° 7: REGUIDE - La réintégration des Belges revenant de Syrie
du point de vue des institutions d’accompagnement
Policy Brief no. 7: REGUIDE - The reintegration of Belgians returning from
Syria from the perspective of support institutions
- Event
- 11-09-2025 - Conference
After four years of research, the REGUIDE team is pleased to invite you to its closing conference
where we will present the main findings and recommendations from our project on the reintegration
of Belgian returnees into society. Since 2012, hundreds of Belgian citizens have travelled to
Syria for various reasons: humanitarian engagement, political conviction, or joining armed groups.
Upon their return, these returnees are often approached primarily through a security lens, whereas
their social reintegration constitutes an equally important societal concern. The closing
conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and families to reflect
on the complex realities of reintegration. Discussions will address media and political
narratives, legal and policy frameworks, probation and detention, child protection, and—most
importantly—the voices of returnees and their relatives.
Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Location: Auditorium Building I, VUB Etterbeek campus
Time: 09:30 - 17:00
Programme in Dutch : Studiedag over de re-integratie van terugkeerders
Programme in French :Journéé d’étude sur la réintégration des returnees
Presentations
- 04-05-2023 - Terugkeer van Belgische Syriëgangers
Through our media research, which examines the perceptions and discourses on Belgians who went to
Syria, and short animation films that visualize testimonies of returned children, under the
supervision of Prof. Iman Lechkar and Prof. Gerrit Loots, we want to launch a debate about the
Belgian men who are still imprisoned in Iraq and Syria.
We are delighted to confirm the attendance of Mayor of Vilvoorde Hans Bonte, VRT war-journalist
Rudi Vranckx and lawyer Aberrahim Lahlali who will go in dialogue with two REGUIDE researchers
Hannan Jamaï (psychologist) and Jihane Sliti (political scientist). We look forward to welcoming
you to our Dutch-speaking conversation which will be moderated by Sanae Jamaï, followed by a
Q&A. We are confident that this discussion will be insightful and encourage you to subscribe
now to join us! Don’t miss the exclusive intervention by Rebel-filmmaker Adil El Arbi!
[Information - Registration]
- Media
Thematic projects of the call 2019
BABEL - Basic Income in Belgium: stress-testing basic
income in the digital era
Thematic project
Keywords: Basic income, Employment, Poverty, Welfare state reform
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019-15/03/2024
- Budget: 846.926€
- Coordinator: Van Lancker Wim (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: Marx Ive (UA), Marx Axel (KU Leuven), Vanderborght Yannick (USL-B)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle, Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Reports
- State of the
art: Basic income in Belgium: stress-testing basic income in the digital era (BABEL)
- Media Report:
Wie steunt welk type basisinkomen? Een analyse op basis van de Basic Income in Belgium Survey
- Media Report:
Quels sont les types de revenu de base les plus soutenus ? Et par qui? Une analyse basée sur le
Basic Income in Belgium survey
- Final Report:
Basic income in Belgium: stress-testing basic income in the digital era (BABEL)
- Samenvatting:
Basic income in Belgium: stress-testing basic income in the digital era (BABEL)
- Résumé: Basic
income in Belgium: stress-testing basic income in the digital era (BABEL)
- Summary:
Basic income in Belgium: stress-testing basic income in the digital era (BABEL)
- Events
B@SEBALL - Biodiversity at School Environments
Benefits for ALL
Thematic project
Keywords: Biodiversity, Children's health, School environment, Environmental
justice, Health inequality
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019-15/03/2024
- Budget: 638.045€
- Coordinator: Keune Hans (UA)
- Promotors: De Clercq Eva (Sciensano), Lebeer Sarah (UA), Leonard Anna (GoodPlanet), Van Calster Hans
(INBO), Vanwambeke Sophie (UCLouvain)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website in Dutch
or
French
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the art: Biodiversity at School Environments Benefits for ALL
- Final
Report: Biodiversity at School Environments Benefits for ALL (B@SEBALL)
- Samenvatting: Biodiversity at School Environments Benefits for ALL
(B@SEBALL)
- Résumé:
Biodiversity at School Environments Benefits for ALL (B@SEBALL)
- Summary:
Biodiversity at School Environments Benefits for ALL (B@SEBALL)
BBOX - OCMW/CPAS & new migrants/refugees: opening the
black box of policy in practice
Thematic project
Keywords: Migrants, Integration, Social activation, Conditionality of rights,
Street level bureaucrats
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019-15/03/2022
- Budget: 578.497€
- Coordinator: De Cuyper Peter (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: Franssen Abraham (USL-B), Lafleur Jean-Michel (ULiège)
- BELSPO programme manager: Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- Final Report:
OCMW/CPAS & new migrants/refugees: opening the black box of policy in practice (BBOX)
- Annex: Newcomers Navigating the Welfare State
Experiences of Immigrants and Street-level Bureaucrats with Belgium’s Social Assistance System
- Samenvatting:
De dienstverlening aan anderstalige nieuwkomers in Belgische OCMW’s (BBOX)
- Résumé:
Services pour les primo-arrivants dans les CPAS belges (BBOX)
- Summary:
OCMW/CPAS & new migrants/refugees: opening the black box of policy in practice (BBOX)
- State of the
art: OCMW/CPAS and new migrants: opening the black box of policy in practice (BBOX)
- Publications BBOX: the findings of the research are
available in various sources, including a peer-reviewed book, a report containing the survey
results, a management summary with lessons for policymakers, and several presentations.
- Publicaties BBOX: de resultaten van het onderzoek zijn
onder meer terug te vinden in een peer-reviewed boek, een rapport met de surveyresultaten, een
management summary met lessen voor het beleid en diverse presentaties.
- Events
- 15-10-2020
The first meeting of the steering committee of this project will take place
online, on thursday 15 October at 2pm.
If you want to help us with this project and if you want to join the steering committee, please
take contact with hanne.vandermeerschen@kuleuven.be.
BE-PARADIS - The Paradox of Belgian Inequality
Studies: Belgium Less unequal than others?
Thematic project
Keywords: Inequality, Micro data, Redistribution, Distributional national accounts,
Wealth, Poverty
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019-15/03/2024
- Budget: 1.226.370€
- Coordinator: Decoster André (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: Decancq Koen (UA), Gobbi Paula (ULB)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle, Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Reports
- State of the
art: The Paradox of Belgian Inequality Studies (BE-PARADIS)
- Final
Report: The Paradox of Belgian Inequality Studies (BE-PARADIS)
- Samenvatting: De ongelijkheidsparadox in België (BE-PARADIS)
- Résumé:
Le paradoxe de l'inégalité en Belgique (BE-PARADIS)
- Summary:
The inequality paradox in Belgium (BE-PARADIS)
- Working Paper: Income Inequality in Belgium 1985 1985-2022 New
evidence from Distributional National Accounts (BE-PARADIS)
- You can also find published papers and the data that was used in the project on BE-PARADIS

- Events
- 03-12-2024 - Workshop
The Paradox of Inequality in Belgium
In this workshop we present the research results of a 4-year research project funded by BELSPO and
carried out by the University of Leuven, the University of Antwerp and the ULB. The project started
from the observation that the consistently low and stable level of Belgian income inequality, as
reported in official statistics, seems at odds with how the public at large experience inequality
and its evolution, and this is framed in the public debate. We have called this the Belgian Paradox
of Inequality Studies (BE-PARADIS). To shed light on this paradox, we not only thoroughly reviewed
the data used, we also tapped new data sources and broadened the concept of ‘inequality’ to include
dimensions other than just income.
More info...
- 14-12-2023 - How to Move from Inequality to Shared Prosperity?
As a part of the Global Economic Challenges Network initiative, the Solvay Brussels School of
Economics and Management, together with Georgetown University are happy to invite you to an
afternoon academic conference on inequality, followed by a roundtable on "Towards Shared
Prosperity in Europe", with Margrethe Vestager, André Sapir, and Gabriel Zucman, on Thursday,
December 14th;
This hybrid event will take place online and at the Thon Hotel EU in Brussels, from 12:00 to 17:00
(6:00 to 11:00 EST). The roundtable with Margrethe Vestager, André Sapir, and Gabriel Zucman will
start at 16:00 (10AM EST).
More info... 
- 19-05-2022 - Mid-project workshop on inequality
We presented our preliminary findings on income inequality in Belgium, the Belgian distributional
national accounts, and the importance of real estate valuation for wealth inequality. Prof. Antoine
Bozio (Paris School of Economics, Institut des Politiques Publiques) and prof. Koen Caminada (Leiden
University) presented new insights on inequality in France and the Netherlands respectively.
[Slides
and/or presentations
]
DIGI4FED - Digital Revolution in Belgian Federal
Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem for Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain
Thematic project
Keywords: Big data, Trust, Artificial Intelligence, Open Government Ecosystem,
Blockchain, Data management
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019 – 15/03/2022
- Budget: 786.591€
- Coordinator: Crompvoets Joep (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: Fallon Catherine (ULiège), Van Dooren Wouter (UA), Vanderose Benoît (UNamur)
- BELSPO programme manager: Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Reports
- Final
Report: Digital (R)evolution in Belgian Federal Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem for
Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
- Samenvatting: Digital (R)evolution in Belgian Federal Government: An Open
Governance Ecosystem for Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
- Résumé:
Digital (R)evolution in Belgian Federal Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem for Big Data,
Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
- Summary:
Digital (R)evolution in Belgian Federal Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem for Big Data,
Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
- State of
the art: Digital (R)evolution in Belgian Federal Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem
for Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
- Policy Brief
- Policy Brief nr. 2: Digitale (r)evolutie in de
Belgische federale overheid: een open governance-ecosysteem voor big data, kunstmatige
intelligentie en blockchain (DIGI4FED)
Policy Brief n° 2: (R)évolution numérique dans le
gouvernement fédéral belge : Un écosystème de gouvernance ouverte pour le big data,
l’intelligence artificielle et la blockchain (DIGI4FED)
Policy Brief no. 2: Digital (R)evolution in Belgian
Federal Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem for Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and
Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
- Policy Brief nr. 1: Digitale (r)evolutie in de
Belgische federale overheid: een open governance-ecosysteem voor big data, kunstmatige
intelligentie en blockchain (DIGI4FED)
Policy Brief n° 1: (R)évolution numérique dans le
gouvernement fédéral belge : Un écosystème de gouvernance ouverte pour le big data,
l’intelligence artificielle et la blockchain (DIGI4FED)
Policy Brief no. 1: Digital (R)evolution in Belgian
Federal Government: An Open Governance Ecosystem for Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and
Blockchain (DIGI4FED)
ELLIS - Monitoring and Mitigating Environmental Health
Inequalities in Belgium
Thematic project
Keywords: Environmental Health, Health Inequalities, Monitoring, Health Impact
Assessment, Residential Exposure, Environmental Inequalities
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019 – 15/03/2024
- Budget: 493.810€
- Coordinator: Devleesschauwer Brecht (Sciensano)
- Promotors: Bouland Catherine (ULB), Eggerickx Thierry (UCLouvain), Faes Christel (UHasselt),
Masquelier Bruno (UCLouvain)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle, Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the art: Monitoring and Mitigating Environmental Health Inequalities in Belgium (ELLIS)
- Publication
: Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cause-specific
premature mortality in Belgium, 1998-2019
- Final Report:
Monitoring and Mitigating Environmental Health Inequalities (ELLIS)
- Samenvatting:
Monitoring and Mitigating Environmental Health Inequalities (ELLIS)
- Résumé:
Monitoring and Mitigating Environmental Health Inequalities (ELLIS)
- Summary:
Monitoring and Mitigating Environmental Health Inequalities (ELLIS)
- Events
- 04-06-2025 | Défense de thèse - Bram Vandeninden
Quantifying and Mitigating the Environmental Disease Burden and Health Inequalities in Urban and
Transport planning
Thesis presented by Bram Vandeninden and directed by Professor Olivier Vandenberg (Université
Libre de Bruxelles) and Professor Christel Faes (UHasselt).
More info...
- 11-04-2024 | Webinar
Introducing the Belgian Index of Multiple Deprivation (BIMD)
We are delighted to invite you to Sciensano’s new webinar on the Belgian Index of Multiple
Deprivation (BIMD), a new tool providing an overview of social deprivation in Belgium.
The BIMD integrates six key areas — education, employment, income, housing, crime and
health — providing a nuanced understanding of societal challenges. Computed at statistical area
level, the BIMD ranks and groups areas from most to least deprived.
In our upcoming webinar, we will delve into the BIMD’s methodological framework, detailing its
development and the significance of each domain. In addition, we will showcase different practical
uses of the BIMD.
The BIMD was developed by the ELLIS consortium, which is coordinated by the Sciensano Health
Information Service.
This webinar will be organized in English.
More information...
Re-InVEST.be - Investing in basic rights,
capabilities and anti-poverty policies in Belgium
Thematic project
Keywords: Human rights, Poverty, Capabilities, Social protection, Social
investment, Anti-discrimination
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019-15/03/2024
- Budget: 1.530.000€
- Coordinator: Nicaise Ides (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: De Munck Jean (UCLouvain)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
- Project description
- Project
website

- Fedra

- Reports
- State of
the art: Social protection from a social investment perspective (Re-InVEST.be)
- Final
Report: Investing in basic rights, capabilities and anti-poverty policies in Belgium
(Re-InVEST.be)
- Samenvatting: Investing in basic rights, capabilities and anti-poverty
policies in Belgium (Re-InVEST.be)
- Résumé: Investing in basic rights, capabilities and anti-poverty policies in
Belgium (Re-InVEST.be)
- Summary: Investing in basic rights, capabilities and anti-poverty policies
in Belgium (Re-InVEST.be)
- Policy Brief
- Policy Brief 1:
Policy Brief nr. 1: Re-InVEST.be - Sociale bescherming en duurzame
armoedebestrijding
Policy Brief n° 1: Re-InVEST.be - Protection sociale et lutte durable
contre la pauvreté
Policy Brief no 1: Re-InVEST.be - Social protection and sustainable
anti-poverty policy
- Policy Brief 2:
Policy Brief nr. 2: Re-InVEST.be - Wonen, sociale bescherming en
armoedebestrijding
Policy Brief n° 2: Re-InVEST.be - Logement, protection sociale et lutte
contre la pauvreté
Policy Brief no 2: Re-InVEST.be - Housing, social protection and
anti-poverty policy
- Policy Brief 3:
Policy Brief nr. 3: Re-InVEST.be - Gezondheid, sociale bescherming en
armoedebestrijding
Policy Brief n° 3: Re-InVEST.be - Santé, protection sociale et lutte
contre la pauvreté
Policy Brief no 3: Re-InVEST.be - Health, social protection and
anti-poverty policy
- Events
- 11-02-2026 | Conférence de clôture Re-InVEST.be – Des investissements sociaux comme
levier dans la lutte contre la pauvreté
Le mercredi 11 février 2026, le Service interfédéral de lutte contre la pauvreté, l’insécurité et
l’exclusion sociale, la KU Leuven (HIVA) et l’UCLouvain (CRIDIS) organisent, dans le cadre du
projet Re-InVEST.be, une conférence de clôture : ‘Des investissements sociaux comme levier dans
la lutte contre la pauvreté, apports de la recherche Re-InVEST.be’.
Lors de cette conférence de clôture, les trois partenaires de recherche présenteront les résultats
du projet Re-InVEST.be et les discuteront avec des acteurs de terrain et des responsables
politiques. Le thème central : comment les investissements sociaux – dans la protection sociale,
le logement et la santé – peuvent-ils contribuer à rendre les droits plus accessibles et à lutter
efficacement contre la pauvreté?
La matinée débutera par une intervention du professeur Anton Hemerijck (European University
Institute, Firenze) sur les investissements sociaux, l’emploi et la pauvreté dans une perspective
européenne. Les trois partenaires de recherche présenteront ensuite le cadre méthodologique de
l’étude.
Des ateliers parallèles seront organisés en matinée et en après-midi autour de trois domaines : la
protection sociale, le logement et la santé. Dans chaque atelier, les résultats de recherche de la
KU Leuven (HIVA) et de l’UCLouvain (CRIDIS) seront présentés, enrichis par les contributions
issues des concertations menées au sein du Service de lutte contre la pauvreté. Ces sessions
offriront un espace d’échange avec les participant·es.
Lors de la séance plénière de clôture, l’équipe de recherche partagera ses réflexions et
recommandations pour une politique sociale renforcée, suivies d’un débat en panel et d’un mot de
conclusion prononcé par Aziz Naji (BELSPO).
Plus d'info...
11-02-2026 | Slotconferentie Re-InVEST.be ‘Sociale investeringen als hefboom tegen
armoede’
Op woensdag 11 februari 2026 organiseren het interfederaal Steunpunt tot bestrijding van armoede,
bestaansonzekerheid en sociale uitsluiting, de KU Leuven (HIVA) en het UCLouvain (CRIDIS), in
kader van het Re-InVEST.be-onderzoek een slotconferentie: ‘Sociale investeringen als hefboom tegen
armoede, elementen uit het Re-InVEST.be-onderzoek’.
Tijdens de slotconferentie stellen de drie onderzoekspartners de resultaten van het
Re-InVEST.be-onderzoek voor en gaan ze hierover in gesprek met praktijkactoren en
beleidsverantwoordelijken. Het centrale thema: hoe kunnen sociale investeringen – in sociale
bescherming, wonen en gezondheid – bijdragen aan de toegankelijkheid van rechten en een effectieve
armoedebestrijding?
De voormiddag staat in het teken van een keynote van prof. Anton Hemerijck (European University
Institute, Firenze) over sociale investeringen, werkgelegenheid, en armoede vanuit een Europees
perspectief. De drie onderzoekspartners lichten ook het methodologisch kader van het onderzoek
toe.
In de voormiddag en namiddag worden parallelle workshops georganiseerd rond drie domeinen: sociale
bescherming, wonen en gezondheid. In elke workshop worden onderzoeksresultaten gepresenteerd door
KU Leuven (HIVA) en UCLouvain (CRIDIS), aangevuld met input uit het overleg binnen het Steunpunt
tot bestrijding van armoede. De sessies zullen ruimte bieden voor uitwisseling met deelnemers.
In de plenaire slotsessie deelt het onderzoeksteam zijn reflecties en aanbevelingen voor een
versterkt sociaal beleid, gevolgd door een panelgesprek en een slotwoord door Aziz Naji (BELSPO).
Meer info...
- 03-12-2021 | Seminar "Capabilities and poverty" (start 9:15 a.m.
(opening 9:00 p.m.) - Ending 1:00 p.m.)
The capability approach*, first conceptualised by the economist Amartya Sen, has since its
inception greatly influenced development studies (Nussbaum, 2011) and has served as a foundation
for a comparative and pluralist theory of justice (Sen, 2009). More recently, social scientists
have implemented this approach in different fields of study such as social norms, inequalities and
democracy (Bonvin et al., 2017). The Re-Invest.be research project aims at building upon this
approach by combining it with an analysis of social rights and social investment, to analyse
anti-poverty policies in Belgium. This seminar will serve as an introduction to the capability
approach and to discuss its different applications and limitations in the sociology of poverty and
human rights.
It will explore the following questions:
- How can we apply the capability approach in sociological inquiries?
- How do capabilities and human rights interrelate?
- How does the capability approach affect sociological definitions of poverty?
- How can capability models be extended from static to dynamic, to include concepts such as
‘sustainable well-being’ and ‘social investment’?
Presentations:
Introduction “Basic capabilities and where to find them” – Matthias Rosenzweig (CriDIS
UCLouvain)
Jean-Michel Bonvin (Cigev, Geneva University): “Capabilities, Poverty, and the Welfare State”
Ides Nicaise (HIVA, KUL): “Capabilities and social investment”
Jean De Munck (CriDIS, UCLouvain): “Capabilities and social rights”
*Capabilities reflect the set of opportunities that individuals
dispose of to transform resources into a bundle of beings and doings that they have reason to
value (Sen, 1985). Hence, capabilities depend on the amount of (material, financial, human,
social, cultural) resources at one’s disposal, the conversion factors that determine the
potential outcomes of the transformation process with given sets of resources, and the freedom
one has to choose.
REMEDI - GPs' REcommendations to patients with MEntal
health problems and DIverse migration backgrounds
Thematic project
Keywords: Unintentional discrimination, Migration background, Mental health
(services), General practitioners, Mixed-methods, Vignettes
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019 – 15/03/2022
- Budget: 447.694€
- Coordinator: Bracke Piet (UGent)
- Promotors: Ceuterick Melissa (UGent), Dauvrin Marie (UCLouvain), De Maesschalck Stephanie (UGent),
Lepièce Brice (UCLouvain), Lorant Vincent (UCLouvain)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of the
art: GPs' recommendations to patients with mental health problems and diverse migration
backgrounds (REMEDI)
- Policy Brief
- Policy Brief nr. 1: Onderzoek naar de percepties en het
doorverwijsgedrag van Belgische huisartsen bij patiënten met depressieve klachten en diverse
migratieachtergronden
- Policy Brief n° 1: Recommandations des médecins généralistes aux
patients ayant des problèmes de santé mentale et divers antécédents migratoires
- Policy Brief no. 1: GPs’ Recommendations to patients with mental health
problems and diverse migration backgrounds
- Final Report:
GPs’ Recommendations to patients with Mental health problems and diverse migration backgrounds
(REMEDI)
- Samenvatting: Onderzoek naar de percepties en het doorverwijsgedrag van
Belgische huisartsen bij patiënten met depressieve klachten en diverse migratieachtergronden
(REMEDI)
- Résumé:
Recommandations des médecins généralistes aux patients ayant des problèmes de santé mentale et
divers antécédents migratoires (REMEDI)
- Summary:
GPs’ Recommendations to patients with Mental health problems and Diverse migration backgrounds
(REMEDI)
- Media
- Events
- 11-09-2023 | REMEDI project symposium (General Practitioners’ recommendations
to patients with mental health problems and diverse migration background).
This dissemination event serves as a platform to present the insightful findings of our project,
focusing on the decision-making of general practitioners regarding patients with diverse migration
backgrounds and mental health problems, specifically depression. As a result of our findings, we
will share several policy recommendations that have emerged from our research.
[Programme -
Inscription]
SEAD - Sustainable employment in the age of digitalisation:
challenges, obstacles and opportunities
Thematic project
Keywords: Sustainable employment, Labour market policy, Occupational health and
well-being, Social protection, Work organisation, Management
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019 - 31/03/2024
- Budget: 1.385.627€
- Coordinator: Vanroelen Christophe (VUB)
- Promotors: Deschacht Nick (KU Leuven), Lamberts Miet (KU Leuven), Martinez Esteban (ULB), Pichault
François (ULiège)
- BELSPO programme manager: Bourgeois Emmanuèle
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website
- SEAD Platform Survey 
- Fedra

- Reports
- State of the
art: Sustainable Employment in the Age of Digitalisation (SEAD)
- Final Report:
Sustainable employment in the age of digitalisation (SEAD)
- Samenvatting:
Sustainable employment in the age of digitalisation (SEAD)
- Résumé:
Sustainable employment in the age of digitalisation (SEAD)
- Summary:
Sustainable employment in the age of digitalisation (SEAD)
- Event
- 06-05-2024 | SEAD concluding symposium
Sustainable employment in the
age of digitalisation 
On Monday the 6th of May 2024 in the afternoon, the SEAD consortium organises a concluding
symposium as the culmination of four years of research on digitalisation in the Belgian labour
market and the associated opportunities and threats for sustainable work.
The main findings of the project will be presented and the research team will engage in a debate
with stakeholders and the audience on topics such as changing occupations, work intensification
and the platform economy. A detailed programme will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Make sure not to miss this event and register 
When? 6th of May 2024 (12h until 16h30, including lunch)
Where? U-Residence, VUB campus, Brussels
Who? Everyone interested in the effects of digitalisation on employment, job quality and labour
market (outcomes)
What? Presentation of key findings from the SEAD project + a panel discussion on related
policy-relevant topics
- 22-04-2021 | Webinar - Online event
Digitalisation and the
world of work 
Are you interested in the process of digitalisation and its impact on jobs, occupations and
workers? Do you want to know more about automation, workplace innovation, the platform economy and
the social protection of workers in the digital age? Join our free webinar on Thursday the 22nd of
April!
- News
- 14-03-2022 - Call
The VUB would like to investigate the working conditions of platform workers in Belgium.
We would like to know how you experience platform work! By answering a couple of questions, you
will help us create a better understanding of how you work!
Participate in this survey
of about 15 min., and have a chance to win one of the 100 gift
vouchers, worth €20!
- 20-05-2021 - Call
Looking for organisations that work with new digital technologies.
Within the framework of the SEAD project (Sustainable Employment in the Age of Digitalisation)
financed by Belspo and involving the VUB, ULiège, ULB and KULeuven, the research teams are seeking
organisations using new digital technologies in order to integrate them into the project (see flyer).
Please fill in the short
online survey
.
TRAHOME - Homelessness trajectories and non-take-up
from a dynamic perspective
Thematic project
Keywords: Homelessness, Poverty, Mixed methods, Non-take up
- Duration of the project: 15/12/2019 - 15/03/2024
- Budget: 788.425€
- Coordinator: Hermans Koen (KU Leuven)
- Promotors: Roets Griet (UGent), Wagener Martin (UCLouvain)
- BELSPO programme manager: Naji Aziz
Documentation
- Project description
- Project website

- Fedra

- Reports
- Final
Report: Homelessness trajectories and non-take-up of social rights from a dynamic
perspective (TRAHOME)
- Samenvatting: Trajecten van dak- en thuislozen en non-take-up van sociale
rechten vanuit een dynamische benadering (TRAHOME)
- Résumé: Les
trajectoires des personnes en situation de sans-abrisme (PSA) et leur accès aux droits sociaux
(TRAHOME)
- Summary:
Homelessness trajectories and non-take-up of social rights from a dynamic perspective
(TRAHOME)
- Event
- 09-05-2023 - Deuxième conférence du Réseau Belge de Recherche sur le Sans-abrisme
Le nombre de sans-abri a augmenté en Belgique et en Europe. Pour mieux comprendre
l’actualité de ce problème social, le phénomène est étudié dans différentes universités,
Hautes écoles, Instituts de recherche et Services publics. Ces projets se concentrent, entre
autres, sur la nature dynamique du sans-abrisme, sa quantification, les biographies des
personnes concernées, le sans-abrisme caché, les expulsions, l'instabilité du logement ou encore
les politiques mises en œuvre pour lutter contre le sans-abrisme.
En 2020, trois groupes de recherche ont uni leurs forces dans le
projet TRAHOME : LUCAS KU Leuven, Social Work and Social Pedagogy UGent et CIRTES UCLouvain.
TRAHOME est un projet de recherche de quatre ans sur les trajectoires des personnes sans-abri basé
sur une approche de méthodes mixtes, financé par BELSPO. C'est dans ce contexte qu'est née
l'initiative de créer un réseau belge de recherche sur le sans-abrisme.
L'objectif du réseau est de :
- renforcer la coopération entre les différents chercheurs ;
- échanger des connaissances sur le sujet ;
- créer des opportunités pour échanges internationaux ;
- créer un réseau inspirant pour les chercheurs ;
- renforcer la contribution de la recherche à l'évaluation et à la formulation des politiques
publiques.
Pour réaliser ces objectifs, est née l'idée d'organiser une conférence annuelle d'une journée.
Celle-ci a eu lieu pour la première fois en mars 2022, organisée par l'équipe de TRAHOME. Cette
année, nous le faisons à nouveau, en collaboration avec le Service interfédéral de lutte contre la
pauvreté, la précarité et l’exclusion sociale.
Le matin (en plénière), nous invitons une chercheuse internationale pour donner une présentation,
notamment dr. Elisabetta Rosa. Cette séance est suivie d'un état des lieux de la recherche
TRAHOME. Pour la deuxième partie de journée, les chercheurs peuvent présenter leurs projets en
cours en petits groupes. Pour conclure, nous nous retrouverons en plénière pour faire le bilan de
la journée et réfléchir aux projets futurs du réseau (activités, projets de recherche,
publications,...).
[Programme] [Inscription]
09-05-2023 - Tweede conferentie van het Belgisch Onderzoeksnetwerk Dak- en thuisloosheid
Dak- en thuisloosheid neemt toe in België en Europa. Om een beter begrip te krijgen op dit sociale
probleem vandaag, wordt het fenomeen vanuit verschillende universiteiten, hoge scholen,
onderzoeksinstellingen en openbare diensten bestudeerd. Deze projecten richten zich onder andere
op het dynamische karakter van dak- en thuisloosheid, de meting van dak- en thuisloosheid, de
biografieën van daklozen, verborgen dakloosheid, uithuiszettingen, huisvestingsinstabiliteit en
het gevoerde beleid om dak – en thuisloosheid te bestrijden.
In 2020 bundelden drie onderzoeksgroepen hun krachten in het TRAHOME project: LUCAS KU Leuven,
Sociaal werk en sociale pedagogie UGent en CIRTES UCLouvain. TRAHOME is een vierjarig
onderzoeksproject, gefinancierd door BELSPO, dat de trajecten van dak- en thuislozen onderzoekt op
basis van een mixed methods aanpak.
In deze context ontstond het initiatief om een Belgisch Onderzoeksnetwerk Dak- en thuisloosheid op
te richten.
Het doel van het netwerk is om:
- de samenwerking tussen verschillende onderzoekers te versterken;
- kennis uit te wisselen;
- gelegenheden te creëren voor internationale uitwisseling;
- een inspirerend netwerk te creëren voor onderzoekers;
- de bijdrage van onderzoek aan de evaluatie en formulering van overheidsbeleid te versterken.
Om deze doelstellingen te realiseren, is het idee ontstaan om jaarlijks een eendaagse conferentie
te organiseren. Deze vond voor het eerst plaats in maart 2022, georganiseerd door het TRAHOME
team. Dit jaar doet we dit opnieuw, in samenwerking met het interfederaal Steunpunt tot
bestrijding van armoede, bestaansonzekerheid en sociale uitsluiting.
In de ochtend (plenair) nodigen we een internationale onderzoeker uit voor een lezing, met name
dr. Elisabetta Rosa* gevolgd door een inhoudelijke stand van zaken van het TRAHOME onderzoek. In
het tweede deel kunnen onderzoekers in kleinere groepen presentaties geven over hun lopende
projecten. Ten slotte komen we terug samen om in een laatste deel te reflecteren over de dag en na
te denken over toekomstige plannen van het netwerk (activiteiten, onderzoeksprojecten,
publicaties,...).
[Programma] [Registratie]
- 24-03-2022 - First conference of the Belgian Homelessness Research Network
Homelessness is on the rise in Belgium and Europe. Research on the national and international
level is needed to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness through better use of
data and evidence. In the BRAIN-project TRAHOME, three research groups have joined forces: LUCAS
KU Leuven, Social Work and Social Pedagogy UGent and CIRTES of the UCL. TRAHOME is a four-year
research project on the trajectories of homeless persons based on a mixed methods research
approach.
Since homelessness research is also taking place in diverse research groups across the country and
provides complexities, the TRAHOME team would like to organize an open-minded exchange between
researchers dealing with homelessness, and associated historical and societal issues and processes
leading to homelessness, in the Belgian welfare state.
We are therefore pleased to announce the first conference of the Belgian Homelessness Research
Network in Brussels. The aim of the network is to strengthen and cross-fertilize the knowledge and
cooperation between different researchers, and to create an inspiring network of early stage
researchers and PhD students.
More
info...