Author | Lightnews

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 11d

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.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 11d

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

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 11d

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.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 11d

🚀 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

3

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13d

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

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 ...

www.nobelprize.org

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13d

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. 🤝

1

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13d

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. 💡

1 1

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 13d

quote: "Economic growth is never guaranteed. Societies that block innovation eventually fall back into stagnation.” – Nobel Committee for Economic Sciences 2025.
A reminder that progress starts with openness to new ideas.

1

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 17d

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

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 17d

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.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · 17d

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? 😉

2

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 26

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

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 26

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).

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 26

👉 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.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 26

More info on:

www.nidolab.be/nl/inspirati... (Dutch)

www.nidolab.be/fr/inspirati... (French)

👉 Submit your proposal before 18 December!

Studentenchallenge

www.nidolab.be

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 26

🚀 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

4

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

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!

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

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

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

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.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

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.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

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!)

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

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 🐦🐓.

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 25

✨ Applied Skills to Innovate ✨

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

6

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 9

🚀 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!

1

Nidolab @nidolab.be · Sep 9

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.