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Brussels Governance Monitor

Digital: 40% digital vulnerability, administrative Big Bang 25→4

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Over 300,000 Brussels residents (40%) are digitally vulnerable. The administrative Big Bang merges 25 entities into 4 pillars, including Paradigm (Smart City). 40,000 digital jobs affected.

Unblocked mechanisms — awaiting implementation

These mechanisms were frozen during the caretaker government period (June 2024 – February 2026). The government sworn in on 14 February 2026 can now reactivate them.

  • Smart City strategy

    The Smart City plan of the Brussels-Capital Region, which defines priorities for digital transformation of public services and smart city development, was suspended. No new initiatives could be launched. The integration of Paradigm into BOSA Brussels will redefine this strategy.

  • Digital inclusion subsidies

    Regional subsidy programmes for digital inclusion of vulnerable populations were frozen: no new calls for projects could be launched. The new government can now relaunch them.

  • Regional startup incentives

    Regional support measures for technology startups (innovation premiums, pre-activity grants) could not be adapted or renewed. The new government can now adapt them.

  • Digitalisation of public services

    The digitalisation programme for regional administrations was suspended: no new dematerialisation projects could be initiated. The BOSA Brussels reform takes over this agenda.

What continues

  • Existing technology companies' activity

    Technology companies established in Brussels continue their activities normally. Existing contracts and public procurement continue to be executed.

  • University research

    Brussels universities (ULB, VUB, UCLouvain Saint-Louis) continue their digital technology research programmes within their existing budgets.

Impact indicators

~40,000

Digital jobs in Brussels

Agoria / hub.brussels

~1,200

Active technology startups in the Brussels Region

hub.brussels

~EUR 50 million

Innoviris investments (annual budget)

Innoviris

~300,000 (40%)

Brussels residents in digital vulnerability

Paradigm (CIRB)

900 000 EUR/an

Digital Inclusion Plan budget

Région de Bruxelles-Capitale

Coalition Agreement: Announced Commitments

The agreement of 12 February 2026 introduces a structural reform that directly impacts the digital sector:

  • Creation of BOSA Brussels: merger of Talent, Brussels Finance, IBSA and Paradigm into a single entity. Paradigm, which carried the Smart City strategy, is integrated into this new administrative structure
  • 20 to 30% reduction in operational costs of merged structures (25 → 3 entities in total)

Impact on the digital sector: integrating Paradigm into BOSA Brussels means that the Smart City strategy will be carried by a generalist administrative entity rather than a dedicated body. This could rationalise resources but also dilute the digital priority. Governance details are not yet known.

Digital divide and administrative Big Bang (February 2026)

40% digital vulnerability

According to data from Paradigm (formerly CIRB), over 300,000 Brussels residents aged 16 to 74 are in a situation of digital vulnerability. This represents approximately 40% of this age group.

The Digital Inclusion Plan, funded at EUR 900,000/year, is built around 4 strategic pillars (raise awareness, federate, equip, support) and 66 concrete actions. A "Digital Brussels" call for projects is underway to reduce digital inequalities.

Source: Paradigm, digital inclusion studies.

Administrative Big Bang: from 25 to 4

The DPR announces the merger of 25 regional administrative entities into 4 pillars. Paradigm (regional IT coordinator) is integrated into the BOSA Brussels pillar. This massive restructuring will directly impact:

  • The Region's IT infrastructure (pooling of systems)
  • Data governance (consolidation of regional databases)
  • Administrative simplification (single digital window)
  • IT public procurement (centralisation of purchases)

The timeline prioritises the implementation of pillars 1 and 2 from 2026, with the goal of reducing operational costs by 20 to 30%.

Sources: DH, "from 25 entities to 4 pillars: administrative simplification", 13 February 2026; La Libre, "the austerity programme will involve an administrative Big Bang", 13 February 2026.

Inherited context (June 2024 – February 2026)

The Smart City strategy, digital inclusion subsidies and startup incentives were frozen. 40% digital vulnerability (~300,000 Brussels residents), without new policy impetus.

Read full context

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