The FPS Economy, in collaboration with Defence and the three regions, is organizing an information day to inform Belgian entities about the possibilities offered by the European Defence Fund (EDF).

The information session takes place in the context of the publication of the EDF Work Programme 2025

Programme of the morning

08.30 – 09.00  Reception / Registration
09.00 – 09.10  Welcome and general introduction
Séverine WATERBLEY, President of the FPS Economy
09.10 – 09.50  European context of EDF and its functioning
Thierry SEGERS, Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), European Commission
09.50 – 10.10  EDF – Role of the FPS Economy
National Focal Point Xavier HAEZEBROUCK, NFP – FPS Economy, Pierre DE MAN, Alternate NFP
                      Defence Guarantees of autonomy
Lisa MASHINI / Sander DRIEGHE , FPS Economy

10.10 – 10.30  Break

10.30 – 11.30  EDF – Role of the Belgian Defence
BE Defence & EDF - Colonel Dirk VANDERREYDT, ir – National Armaments Directorate
EDF & BE security aspects, Maj d'Aviation Damien GOBYN – Chief Security Clearance ACOS IS
11.30am – 12.15pm Export control obligations
Flemish Region Miek LAMAIRE – DKBUZA Strategic Goods Control Service
Brussels Capital Region Cataldo ALU – Brussels International – Cell licensing weapons and dual-use goods
Walloon Region Lia CAPONETTI – SPW EER – Direction des Licenses d'armes

12.15 – 1.15pm Lunch

Afternoon program per region (separate rooms)

Flemish Region
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM Testimonial: Added value, lessons learned and reflections from an SME
1:45 PM – 2:05 PM Opportunities and European support for SMEs within EDF [NCP Flanders – Mark ANTONISSEN]
2:05 PM – 2:30 PM Flemish policy and support options in security and defense [EWI – Paris VAN PAESSCHEN and VLAIO – Mark ANTONISSEN]
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM International support in security and defense [FIT – Michel HOFMAN]

Participation is free but registration is required!