Belgium Cross-country analysis of the use of EU Recovery and Resilience Funds
Based on interviews with experts from the Wallonian Agency for a Life of Quality (AViQ) and the Government of Flanders.
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Key findings from interviews with experts
The Recovery and Resilience Plans offered a good opportunity for the development of innovative projects, where resources were previously lacking.
The Recovery and Resilience Plans did not entirely reflect the structure of the Belgium federal state, the different competencies, and the fact that not all issues presented are under the responsibility of the same actors.
Different levels of government and parallel processes that are in place to foster Flanders' Recovery and Resilience Plan made it difficult to understand the RFF process.
Belgium Cross-country analysis of the use of EU Recovery and Resilience Funds
Based on interviews with experts from the Wallonian Agency for a Life of Quality (AViQ) and the Government of Flanders.
Jump to
Key findings from interviews with experts
The Recovery and Resilience Plans offered a good opportunity for the development of innovative projects, where resources were previously lacking.
The Recovery and Resilience Plans did not entirely reflect the structure of the Belgium federal state, the different competencies, and the fact that not all issues presented are under the responsibility of the same actors.
Different levels of government and parallel processes that are in place to foster Flanders' Recovery and Resilience Plan made it difficult to understand the RFF process.
The Belgian Recovery and Resilience Plan A short overview
| POLICY AREA 3: Social cohesion and community living | |
|---|---|
| INVESTMENTS | RRF (m/€) |
| Education 2.0 (to improve inclusiveness of education systems, particularly digital skills. Equity-oriented) | 412 |
| Training and employment of vulnerable groups (to improve the participation of vulnerable groups to the labour market, boosting their employability and reducing digital inequalities) | 165 |
| Better social infrastructure to address lack of social housing for vulnerable groups and increase early childcare provision | 227 |
| Reforming the pension system and end of careers, to increase the activity and employment rate of older workers | 0 |
| POLICY AREA 3: Mobility | |
|---|---|
| INVESTMENTS | RRF (m/€) |
| Cycling and walking infrastructure (to improve job growth and reduce health risks) | 411 |
| Modal shift towards better provision of public transport services (to improve public health and active lifestyles) | 672 |
| POLICY AREA 5: Economy of the future and productivity | |
|---|---|
| INVESTMENTS | RRF (m/€) |
| Accessible labour market and training (to increase the employment rate through upskilling/reskilling, while ensuring an inclusive labour market) | 371 |
| Implementing a circular economy (to foster social resilience by creating local employment opportunities) | 198 |
2022 Country specific recommendations for health equity
Each spring, the European Commission and European Council make Country Specific Recommendations to provide tailored advice to individual Member States on how to boost jobs, growth and investment, while maintaining sound public finances.
Austrian Country Specific Recommendations 2022 that are most relevant for health equity
1. […] targeted support to households and firms most vulnerable to energy price hikes
and to people fleeing Ukraine[…]. Expand public investment for the green and digital
transition and for energy security […]
3. Address labour shortages and skills mismatches […]
Country Report 2022
The accompanying Country Report analyse each EU Member State’s key socioeconomic challenges with the aim of providing a framework for the coordination of social and economic policies across the European Union.
Belgium's 2022 report contained a number of elements that are directly relevant to health equity.
Project under the RRP
Development of a HSO benchmark for an integrated care system
The HSO benchmark project is based on the ‘integrated people-centred health systems’ standard. Established on international good practice and evidence on the quality and integration of good practices, the project will involve the development of a consortium and the identification and mapping of initiatives and projects related to the integration of the system. This includes identifying and supporting priority areas, capacity development in the Walloon region, and the evaluation of the integration and monitoring of progress made in the 2021 to 2023 report.
Other projects under the Wallonian and Flemish Recovery and Resilience Plan
Suggestions for the future
Wallonia
Recognise and identify the relevant priorities in each individual region
Foster integrated and community care approaches
Improve autonomy of the elderly and reduce institutionalisation
Boost cross-project cooperation and synergies
Flanders
Strengthen capacity planning and healthcare system sustainability
Improve digital and health literacy, particularly in vulnerable groups
Foster mental health and working condition of health workforce
“The Recovery and Resilience Facility has helped to launch a bottom-up strategy to learn about the real needs of the
population and health professionals to adapt our policies.”
– Expert from the Wallonian Agency for a Life of Quality (AViQ), Belgium
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