Innovating, connecting, and building Europe together From cutting-edge food technology to cultural transformation and AI research, Commissioner Serafin’s Tour d’Europe in Belgium on 11 and 12 June demonstrated how EU investment supports real change: empowering local communities, shaping smarter cities, and delivering innovation for the common good. The visit spanned all three regions of Belgium, reflecting the diversity and ambition behind EU-funded projects. Page contents Page contents ------------------ Commissioner Piotr Serafin started the first part of his tour in the city of Merelbeke. STOP 1: Smart farming for a resilient future © agrifoodtef.eu, 2025Located in the Flemish Region, the municipality of Merelbeke was the first stop of the day. There, Commissioner Serafin visited “ILVO”, the Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, where he explored the Agrifood TEF project, which develops cutting-edge technology to make European food systems more sustainable. He also learned more about HYDRAS, an EU-funded initiative testing how crops can be made more drought-resilient using advanced sensor technologies. The administrators appreciated the EU funding that made their projects possible. STOP 2: Where rivers meet and ideas flow © le-nid.be, 2025After that, Commissioner Serafin travelled to Namur, the capital city of the Walloon Region, where he was welcomed by Mr. Frédéric Laloux, Commissioner for International Relations for the City of Namur. There, he visited “La Confluence” and the Namur Innovative City Lab (NID). This EU-backed urban transformation initiative creates a collaborative space for addressing shared challenges like mobility, food security, and climate adaptation. The visit gave the Commissioner the chance to see how European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding is transforming public spaces, bringing communities together, and supporting cultural initiatives.Namur was a candidate for European Capital of Culture 2030. The project leaders acknowledged that EU funding played a key role in driving the city’s development. STOP 3: Meeting with Minister-President of the Walloon government Commissioner Serafin also met with the Minister-President of the Walloon Region Adrien Dolimont to discuss how EU investment drives cohesion and competitiveness.The meeting covered topics including the link between reforms and investment, the role of regions in cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, Horizon Europe, the European Competitiveness Fund, defence, and new own resources. STOP 4: Voicing regional priorities for Europe © parlement-wallonie.be, 2025Commissioner Serafin took part in a hearing at the Walloon Parliament with the Committee on European Affairs, delivering an address and engaging in open dialogue with elected representatives. The exchange gave the Commissioner a chance to hear how regions view the EU’s long-term investment plans and budget priorities.The discussion with Representatives of the Walloon Parliament covered cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, research, competitiveness, defence, climate resilience, industrialisation, and innovation. STOP 5: Artificial Intelligence for the common good © content.fari.brussels, 2025In Brussels, Commissioner Serafin visited FARI, an EU-funded project and a pioneering AI research centre developed by VUB and ULB universities, where researchers are using artificial intelligence and robotics to improve urban services and address local needs. Highlights included a demonstration of CAVE, an immersive simulation space for evidence-based policymaking, and the MultiRoofs project, which creatively uses rooftops for climate and energy solutions. STOP 6: Meeting with representatives of the national government Commissioner Serafin met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Jan Jambon, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Budget, Vincent Van Peteghem.Their discussions covered a range of topics, including the New Own Resources, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), cohesion policy and preparedness. STOP 7: Bilateral Dialogue with the Flemish Government To conclude the mission, Commissioner Serafin met with the Minister-President of the Flemish Government, Matthias Diependaele, for a bilateral discussion on the future of the EU budget and the introduction of new own resources.
From cutting-edge food technology to cultural transformation and AI research, Commissioner Serafin’s Tour d’Europe in Belgium on 11 and 12 June demonstrated how EU investment supports real change: empowering local communities, shaping smarter cities, and delivering innovation for the common good. The visit spanned all three regions of Belgium, reflecting the diversity and ambition behind EU-funded projects.
© agrifoodtef.eu, 2025Located in the Flemish Region, the municipality of Merelbeke was the first stop of the day. There, Commissioner Serafin visited “ILVO”, the Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, where he explored the Agrifood TEF project, which develops cutting-edge technology to make European food systems more sustainable. He also learned more about HYDRAS, an EU-funded initiative testing how crops can be made more drought-resilient using advanced sensor technologies. The administrators appreciated the EU funding that made their projects possible.
© le-nid.be, 2025After that, Commissioner Serafin travelled to Namur, the capital city of the Walloon Region, where he was welcomed by Mr. Frédéric Laloux, Commissioner for International Relations for the City of Namur. There, he visited “La Confluence” and the Namur Innovative City Lab (NID). This EU-backed urban transformation initiative creates a collaborative space for addressing shared challenges like mobility, food security, and climate adaptation. The visit gave the Commissioner the chance to see how European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding is transforming public spaces, bringing communities together, and supporting cultural initiatives.Namur was a candidate for European Capital of Culture 2030. The project leaders acknowledged that EU funding played a key role in driving the city’s development.
Commissioner Serafin also met with the Minister-President of the Walloon Region Adrien Dolimont to discuss how EU investment drives cohesion and competitiveness.The meeting covered topics including the link between reforms and investment, the role of regions in cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, Horizon Europe, the European Competitiveness Fund, defence, and new own resources.
© parlement-wallonie.be, 2025Commissioner Serafin took part in a hearing at the Walloon Parliament with the Committee on European Affairs, delivering an address and engaging in open dialogue with elected representatives. The exchange gave the Commissioner a chance to hear how regions view the EU’s long-term investment plans and budget priorities.The discussion with Representatives of the Walloon Parliament covered cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, research, competitiveness, defence, climate resilience, industrialisation, and innovation.
© content.fari.brussels, 2025In Brussels, Commissioner Serafin visited FARI, an EU-funded project and a pioneering AI research centre developed by VUB and ULB universities, where researchers are using artificial intelligence and robotics to improve urban services and address local needs. Highlights included a demonstration of CAVE, an immersive simulation space for evidence-based policymaking, and the MultiRoofs project, which creatively uses rooftops for climate and energy solutions.
Commissioner Serafin met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Jan Jambon, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Budget, Vincent Van Peteghem.Their discussions covered a range of topics, including the New Own Resources, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), cohesion policy and preparedness.
To conclude the mission, Commissioner Serafin met with the Minister-President of the Flemish Government, Matthias Diependaele, for a bilateral discussion on the future of the EU budget and the introduction of new own resources.
