The European Union (EU) is actively pursuing a rapid shift towards environmentally sustainable lifestyles and economies. This green transition is designed to promote sustainability, address climate change, and combat environmental degradation. European industry plays a pivotal role in this twin digital and green transition. The main objective of this proposal is to contribute to R&I policies that will strengthen European industrial leadership and economic security. Our proposal aims to make Indtech24 a forum bringing together all stakeholders to exchange around specific R&I and policy challenges and stimulate networking. An overarching question we would like to address is how R&D policies could be better integrated to recent ambitious European initiatives to make sure the future of our industry is made in Europe. Innovative materials are key to achieve the ambitious policy objectives of the European Green Deal. Taking place following the release of the coordinated action plan with member on Advanced materials, Indtech24 will fall within a context of intense reflection on the R&I priorities and specific objectives. We will address R&I challenges and opportunities in innovative materials. Showcasing best practices will be done by involving stakeholders from various kind to gather good examples and shed light on success stories. Following the objectives of the STEP initiative, we aim to engage discussion on the ways we could build more bridges between different instruments (Horizon Europe cluster calls and partnerships, ERDF, IPCEIs) to avoid the duplication of investments and contribute to reducing the fragmentation of the R&I landscape in the EU. We will also discuss policies that could unlock the innovation potential of European SMEs, notably from lessons learned from the implementation of OITB for material science. The final outcome of these sessions will feed into a R&I and policy recommendations for EU member states and the European Commission.

To promote the mobility of researchers towards Wallonia, the BEWARE 2 programme (Belgian Wallonia Researcher Fellowships) will grant about 65 mandatesto attract researchers in SMEs, accredited research centres and universities / university colleges. Fellows will share their working time between the premises of two hosts choosing among three hosting possibilities: - a university and a company - a college and a company - an accredited research centre and a company A fair breakdown of 50/50% is expected. Furthermore a short stay outside Wallonia could be envisaged.

In the frame of the Belgian UE Presidency (first semester 2024), the MSCA2024BE conference aims to physically bring together 150 participants on the theme "researchers' careers: multiple patways". To achieve this, a programme has been designed by four research administrations in Belgium, with the support of the European Commission. The conference will take place in Mons on 18 and 19 April 2024.