iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/11/2025

Discover what sludge is and how you, as a Belgian civil servant in a project management role, can contribute in the coming months!

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/11/2025

Sludge — the friction that slows down innovation in Belgian federal public-sector projects. By spotting unnecessary steps, approvals, or forms, we aim to speed up collaboration, especially with external partners.Want to help make innovation faster and smoother?

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/11/2025

In times of scarcity, we need to find ways to maintain innovation momentum and use our limited resources efficiently and deliberately to keep improving our services. Together with the behavioural science unit of OECD - OCDE, we’re on a mission to identify, understand, and remove “sludge”

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/11/2025

🚀 Nido’s Sludge Research is Here! In times of scarcity, we need to find ways to maintain innovation momentum! Dutch: lnkd.in/gN_ib7er French: lnkd.in/gp8hztcN #Innovation #PublicSector #SludgeResearch #Collaboration #Frictionless #AgileProjects #NidoLab

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 15/10/2025

A big thank you to our selection experts Stien Verhaegen and Kevin Gerits for steering everything so smoothly — and to Caroline and her organisation for her commitment to second a junior colleague to the Nido team. We’re now determined to make this partnership truly thrive.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 15/10/2025

Hopefully, new opportunities will arise soon — it’s heartening to see so much energy to help shape a more innovative public sector.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 15/10/2025

An success, showing how many recent graduates are eager to work in an innovation lab and help accelerate innovation within government. It was quite the job to go through all these motivated profiles. We’re thrilled with the result, even if it means we’ll have to disappoint many talented candidates.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 15/10/2025

🚀 A wave of innovation enthusiasm! For Nido, FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment launched a search for a Junior Innovation Manager — and we received over 70 applications! #PublicSectorInnovation #InnovationLab #Talent #Recruitment #InnovationInGovernment #Collaboration

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13/10/2025

At Nido, we believe innovation in the public sector isn’t a luxury, it’s a responsibility. Every prototype, every fresh idea brings us closer to a government that grows with its citizens. 🔗 Read more about the Nobel Prize in Economics: www.nobelprize.org/prizes/econo... #Innovation #NobelPrize

nobelprize.org

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2025

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2025 was awarded "for having explained innovation-driven economic growth" with one half to Joel Mokyr "for having identified ...

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13/10/2025

For governments, this means rethinking how public value is created. It means daring to collaborate differently, to learn from change instead of resisting it. That’s the heartbeat of a resilient public sector. 🤝

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13/10/2025

Innovation is more than technology. It’s about creating space for new ideas, even when they challenge what exists. That’s how progress happens: one brave step, one fresh perspective, one experiment at a time. 💡

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/10/2025

Want to know more? 👉In dutch: lnkd.in/eh4-CU6Z 👉In french: lnkd.in/embGfbNP

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/10/2025

We invited them to design challenges that, in their view, deserve priority action from the government. It’s a great opportunity for the federal public sector to connect with students — and future taxpayers — in a different way.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/10/2025

Last week, we visited Ghent University — Master in Public Administration and Management — to engage students in the next edition of the Federal Innovation Award 2026: the Student Challenges Award. We also couldn’t help but wonder. Were they enthusiastic about the challenge? What’s your guess? 😉

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 26/09/2025

Would you or your students like to contribute to innovation within the federal administration?

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 26/09/2025

They analyse the problem, formulate it clearly, and then research concrete solutions. This usually happens in groups, under the guidance of a lecturer or supervisor (though individual participation is also possible).

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 26/09/2025

👉 Students start from their own experience or an observed situation and propose ways to improve an aspect of a federal public service – for example in employment, health, taxation, justice, or social security.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 26/09/2025

More info on: www.nidolab.be/nl/inspirati... (Dutch) www.nidolab.be/fr/inspirati... (French) 👉 Submit your proposal before 18 December!

nidolab.be

Studentenchallenge

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 26/09/2025

🚀 Still time to join! The submission deadline is 18 December. This week, almost ten universities and colleges have shown interest in engaging their students to work on federal challenges. 🙌 #innovation #federalservices #students #publicsector #future #belgium

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

We closed the session with a call for the "Possibility Manager" in our Belgian Federal Government. 🌍✨ Stay tuned for more in the context of the hashtag#Federalinnovationaward2026!

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

Finally, Robby Vanlaer connected many of these reflections to the new federal competence model, highlighting how the skills for innovation are embedded within it.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

Confronted with the latest OECD survey results on the innovative workplace, Carolien Sonck didn’t sugarcoat it: the numbers are worrying. But in her role as chair of the HR managers’ network, she is determined to drive change. In her own organisation, new initiatives are already underway.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

Steven Van de Walle reminded us of the importance of bricolage in government – creating space to tinker, test, and innovate from the ground up, even as we rationalise, cut costs, .... Our takeaway: striking the right balance is crucial to both limit risks and let innovation labs thrive.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

We were equally inspired by OPSI, who delivered what felt like a tailor-made presentation on the skills needed to innovate in the Belgian public sector. They not only focused on practitioners but also on the enablers who make these skills flourish. (More on their rich contribution in our next post!)

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

Our inspiration session on Tuesday 16 September truly took off with Walter, who gave us WINGS through his powerful storytelling about the swallow and the rooster 🐦🐓.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 25/09/2025

✨ Applied Skills to Innovate ✨ Dive into the rich material waiting for you on the Nido website 👉 French: lnkd.in/eMVKqVHQ 👉 Dutch: lnkd.in/eNDrWMff

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/09/2025

🚀 This is your last call to strengthen your innovation skills and put them into practice – in a context that needs them more than ever. Join us!

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/09/2025

To close the session, Carolien Sonck from Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment and Robby Vanlaer from FPS Policy and Support will bring fresh perspectives from within our own government, because yes – things are moving.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/09/2025

and Steven Van de Walle will highlight the importance of the work context – reminding us that bricolage is something many are naturally good at, yet often challenged as the debate on core tasks and regulations evolves.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/09/2025

We’ll explore skills needed to be future-proof. Walter Vandervelde will share his vision of “Wings”, Angela Hanson and Joaquin Collao Jul from OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation will dive into the capabilities practitioners, innovation managers, and public leaders need to drive change,

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 09/09/2025

In just one week, we’re hosting another inspiration session: “Anyone Can Innovate”. Almost 300 civil servants have already registered! 🔗 Register now to secure your spot! lnkd.in/gRZ2PRYM #PublicSectorInnovation #InnovationLeadership #InnovationSkills

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 04/09/2025

And don’t miss out on our other themes such as citizen participation and frugal innovation.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 04/09/2025

Because the theme of futures exploration is so crucial, we’ve updated our website. We want to inspire the public sector with knowledge, insights, cases, tools, and the recording of our session on futures thinking with Laurent Bontoux of @European Commission (JRC), Maya Van Leemput and more.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 04/09/2025

“If you’re not confused, you’re not paying attention.” – Tom Peters. Happy exploring! 🌍✨ 👉 In Dutch: lnkd.in/eQssU4Gi 👉 In French: lnkd.in/eR9EyX-w #FuturesThinking #PublicSectorInnovation #Exploration #FutureOfGovernment #Inspiration #Foresight

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 02/09/2025

What does it take? Courage to start small, sponsorship from leadership , and the right allies at both strategic and operational level.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 02/09/2025

The RIZIV experience shows how small, frugal interventions can already create big impact – while keeping an eye on the longer-term shift from incremental towards more transformative innovation.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 02/09/2025

“Innovation is no longer optional. In times of budgetary constraints, you simply cannot deliver quality public services without it.”

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 02/09/2025

At the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance, Annick Mertens is leading an innovation strategy that combines multidisciplinary collaboration, AI and frugal innovation. With more than 20 projects, the ambition is clear: making innovation a reflex. Not as a luxury, but as a necessity.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 02/09/2025

💡 How do you innovate when resources are limited, yet expectations remain high? Discover the story on our website: In Dutch: lnkd.in/esfhAiXj In French: lnkd.in/eJwknFXj #PublicSectorInnovation #FrugalInnovation #HealthCare #RIZIV #innovationstrategy

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 30/06/2025

📬 Sign up and receive updates on: • Inspiring projects and experiments from Belgium and beyond • Invitations to our upcoming inspiration sessions and campaigns • Fresh insights into what works – and what doesn’t – in public sector innovation Together, we’re shaping the future of the public sector.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 30/06/2025

Stay in the loop on innovation in the public sector – Nido is relaunching its periodic newsletter! Curious about how innovation is making the Belgian government smarter, human, and more effective? Want to discover what’s happening in terms of experiments, new methods and inspiring collaborations?

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 30/06/2025

Be part of the public sector innovation movement in Belgium! ➡️ Subscribe to the Nido newsletter: lnkd.in/ej-PWazH #PublicSectorInnovation #GovernmentInnovation #Belgium #InnovationInGovernment #FutureOfGovernment #BelgiumInnovation #NidoNews #PolicyInnovation #PublicServiceInnovation

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 20/06/2025

Innovation happens when teams across disciplines unite, experiment fast, and dare to rethink the fundamentals. Huge thanks to our hosts Annick Mertens and to Annick Sools for kicking us off with a powerful reminder: Fresh perspectives are not optional, they’re essential. The energy is contagious.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 20/06/2025

• INAMI’s experimental project development, with Cesar Legendre showing how fast decision-making, cross-team collaboration, and agile learning can drive real progress beyond the hype of AI. Leadership here isn’t top-down – it’s cross-cutting, exploratory, and open.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 20/06/2025

• A frugal innovation mindset, where opportunities like AI and constraints drive creativity • RIZIV’s own innovation program, just six months young but fiercely forward-looking. We explored how to make innovation a reflex – not despite limitations, but because of them.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 20/06/2025

His testimony reminded us that true innovation leadership means breaking taboos, simplifying systems, involving citizens, and anchoring change in every layer of an organization. The Innovation Circle spotlighted bold, integrated approaches:

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 20/06/2025

“Innovation is courage,” said Mickael Daubie, who manages a €40 billion healthcare budget with a €900 million shortfall. For him, innovation isn’t a luxury or a buzzword – it’s survival.

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Nidolab @nidolab.be · 20/06/2025

Innovation takes courage – and RIZIV is proving it. This week, RIZIV hosted the Innovation Circle with remarkable ambition. In a world where public services face growing complexity and tighter budgets, they’re not waiting for ideal conditions – they’re creating momentum now. #InnovationLeadership

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