INNOVIRIS

Their core work

INNOVIRIS is the Brussels-Capital Region's public agency for funding and promoting scientific research and innovation. As a regional funding body, it co-finances ERA-NET programs that align urban research priorities — smart cities, sustainable urbanisation, and urban mobility — with Brussels' policy needs. Their role in H2020 is primarily as a funding organisation that joins ERA-NET Cofund schemes to channel regional money into transnational research calls on urban challenges. They bridge the gap between EU-level research agendas and Brussels-specific priorities around liveable, accessible, and climate-resilient cities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2017), INNOVIRIS focused on technology-oriented urban themes — energy efficiency, smart city technologies, and urban resource management through ERA-NETs like ENSCC and EN-SUGI. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted markedly toward governance, citizen participation, and social innovation, with projects like TRANSFORM (co-design, citizen science) and PRO-Ethics (participatory ethics). This reflects a broader institutional pivot from funding technology deployment to funding inclusive, citizen-driven urban transformation processes.

INNOVIRIS is moving from technology-push urban R&I toward mission-oriented, citizen-inclusive approaches — future partners should expect emphasis on co-creation, responsible innovation, and community engagement.

How they like to work

INNOVIRIS exclusively participates as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a regional funding agency contributing to larger ERA-NET structures led by other national/regional bodies. With 62 unique partners across 26 countries from just 7 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia typical of ERA-NET Cofund schemes. They are a connector node rather than a repeat-partner organisation, exposing them to a wide range of European research funding agencies.

Across 7 projects, INNOVIRIS has collaborated with 62 unique partners in 26 countries, reflecting the broad multinational membership typical of ERA-NET Cofund consortia. Their network spans most EU member states, making them well-connected to regional funding agencies across Europe.

What sets them apart

INNOVIRIS offers something rare: a direct channel to Brussels-Capital Region innovation funding priorities embedded within European research networks. Unlike national funding agencies, they represent a major European capital city-region with distinct urban challenges and policy autonomy. For consortium builders, partnering with INNOVIRIS means access to a funder that can co-finance transnational calls and align project outcomes with real Brussels urban policy implementation.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ENUTC
  Largest funding (EUR 650,857) and most recent ERA-NET, targeting urban transformation capacities including circular economy and community-based urban innovation through 2025.
• TRANSFORM
  Signals INNOVIRIS's strategic pivot — a Coordination and Support Action focused on citizen science, co-creation, and participatory R&I agenda setting for Smart Specialisation.