The Wasabi 2.0 IIS is shaping the future of Walloon horticulture
The Wasabi 2.0 IIS is shaping the future of Walloon horticulture
Launched as part of Wallonia’s Smart Specialization Strategy (S3), IIS Wasabi 2.0 is concluding its funding period with substantial results: consolidated flagship projects, a strengthened ecosystem of stakeholders, and a growing international presence for Wallonia’s edible horticulture and aquaculture sectors.
Flagship projects with a strong regional impact
The IIS’s action plan was structured around four pillars—Training, Research & Development, Economic and Commercial Development, and Regional Deployment—and resulted in three flagship projects.
1- Training
Horticulture sector: The IIS worked on developing new training programs, establishing partnerships between institutions, and sharing infrastructure, while also striving to improve the public’s perception of horticultural professions. An interview on Canal Zoom (April 2026) and a program on Télésambre (May 2026) notably contributed to this increased visibility (see elsewhere).
Aquaculture sector: The meeting between the Producers’ Association and IFAPME led to the creation of Wallonia’sfirst training program for aquaculture farm managers, which filled up quickly, helping to train potential future leaders for the aquaculture industry.
Biostimulants sector: Since this developing sector is still little known and understood by farmers, a module on the subject has now been integrated into the “A bio” courses offered by FUGEA and FWA.
2- The SyAM Model (Local Food System)
This model represents the most emblematic governance innovation of the period: it interconnects short supply chains and large-scale distribution, with the new short supply chain hub in Charleroi Métropole serving as a pilot region. It embodies the IIS’s ability to move beyond sector-specific approaches to support systemic solutions tailored to the economic realities of Walloon producers.
3- Organic Fertilization
This principle enhances the sustainability of edible horticulture through the development and adoption of organic fertilization solutions. As such, it constitutes a major strategic lever for input sovereignty, reducing the use of synthetic/mineral inputs, and resource circularity. Various international research and innovation projects have been developed, submitted, and accepted. (See elsewhere.)
A vibrant network, engaged stakeholders
The consortium’s coordination has generated tangible momentum. Among the key events, the inter-IIS matchmaking session on November 25, 2025—which arose from a direct request by members—brought together 60 participants from five IISs within DIS5. A concise guide to regional and European funding opportunities relevant to the field was produced and widely distributed, addressing a need explicitly expressed by the members.
The URBAgr'inn Days (May 2025 - Photo) and an international conference dedicated to urban and peri-urban agriculture, facilitated connections with stakeholders from the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, and France—directly contributing to the emergence of European consortia.
In terms of external communications, the IIS’s LinkedIn page reached a pace of 56 posts in 2025, complemented by press coverage in L’Écho, Daily Science, RTBF, L’Avenir, and Belga, as well as appearances on local television.
A Push Toward Europe
The Wasabi 2.0 international strategy is based on a principle of strategic repurposing: repositioning regional projects that were not selected to adapt them to the requirements of European programs (Horizon Europe, Interreg, CBE-JU). This model proved effective with Bioboost-Pro, the flagship project of the period, which was selected under Interreg North West Europe after being reconfigured from an ERDF proposal that had initially not received funding.
Over the period, three major European projects were approved—Bioboost-Pro (Interreg NWE), FoodCity Boost (Horizon Europe), and CUF-Training (Interreg NWE)—and about ten initiatives are currently under evaluation or being resubmitted.
Missions to Germany (February 2026) and Canada (April 2026) enabled several IIS members—notably Colasse, APEO Solutions, and Biodyne—to join European consortia that are either active or in the process of being formed.
Participatory Governance Serving On-the-Ground Needs
From the outset, the IIS opted for an adaptive and inclusive governance model. The Steering Committee (Copil), composed of ten members representing the quadruple helix—universities, research centers, businesses, intermunicipal associations, training providers, and public organizations—met three times a year. Beyond the Copil, several thematic working groups played a central operational role: the Training Working Group (22 stakeholders involved), the Open-Field Vegetable Farming Working Group, and the Food Belt initiatives. These forums enabled genuine co-creation, grounded in the needs identified during individual interviews conducted with each member from the very launch of the IIS.
The governance structure was also distinguished by its forward-looking approach: the gradual transfer of working groups and projects to successor organizations (Collège des Producteurs, Wagralim, Forem, etc.) was planned in advance to ensure the continuity of these initiatives beyond June 30, 2026.
In conclusion, lessons for the future
The Wasabi 2.0 experience offers several key lessons for the evolution of regional initiatives:
- The funding period (2 years and 9 months) proved to be a constraint given the complexity of the regional dynamics involved.
- Projects with strong economic potential but lacking technological innovation in the strict sense remain insufficiently supported by current funding instruments.
- Intermediate maturity levels (TRL 7–8) represent a blind spot in regional and European funding, as collectively identified during the DIS5 event in November 2025.
- Engaging agricultural and horticultural SMEs requires flexible approaches and a rapid demonstration of concrete benefits.
Beyond quantitative indicators, it is indeed the collective skill-building among stakeholders—better understanding of European funding mechanisms, the establishment of new partnerships, and cross-sectoral learning—that constitutes one of the most enduring legacies of the Wasabi 2.0 IIS.
