The year 2024 was a pivotal one. A year in which societal developments, technological challenges, and political changes converged, and during which Belnet made a resolute choice for strengthening, renewal, and connection.
The needs of our communities – from research and education to federal and public institutions – have clearly evolved. Digitisation is no longer seen as a peripheral aspect but as an essential foundation for the functioning of every organisation. The growing expectations in terms of continuity, capacity, and security have driven us to fundamentally transform our service offering.
Federal Context and Strategic Progress
In 2024, the FedWAN project marked a major milestone on the path toward network centralisation and greater efficiency, underpinned by clear commitments in both budget and governance. The launch of FedOSC, as part of the European Open Science framework, further reinforced our central role as a trusted service provider and partner to federal scientific institutions. Through BNIX, we continued to strengthen Belgium’s digital backbone, investing in resilience, reinforcing security measures, and raising awareness of the importance of regional Internet nodes.
A Year of Transformation and Reflection
2024 was also a year of introspection. By listening carefully to the concerns and expectations of our communities, we initiated a structural redesign of our organisation. The clear separation of commercial and operational activities, combined with enhanced internal collaboration, laid the groundwork for a new, client-focused approach that will be implemented in 2025.
Despite limited resources, our dedicated team delivered significant achievements. Major transformation initiatives – including process reviews, documentation updates, and the first milestones toward ISO 27001 certification – demanded persistence and determination. One key lesson became clear: meaningful change requires time, but the long-term benefits are undeniable.
Driving Innovation
Innovation remained at the core of our mission. Beyond redesigning internal processes, we advanced groundbreaking projects such as EUROQCI, BOOSTED, and Campus Services pilot programmes that ease the connectivity burden for our clients. Our active role in European programmes (GEANT, EOSC, GN5.2) underlines Belnet’s position at the heart of technological innovation.
Stronger Client Orientation
Our client focus was strengthened through mandatory training, Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys, and a new culture of active listening. Every colleague played a part in this cultural shift, and the positive impact is already visible. The dedication of our teams – on both operational and strategic fronts – was a decisive factor in our collective success in 2024.
Growth and Credibility
Belnet grew on every front: in staff, infrastructure, services, and credibility. Thanks to FedWAN and a steady increase in self-generated revenue, we created the capacity to pursue new ideas and initiatives. Our Product Governance Boards now provide a solid framework to integrate insights from all stakeholders – internal, political, and external – into our strategic vision.
On a personal note, I am particularly proud of what we achieved with such a compact team. In a complex federal environment, faced with high expectations and limited resources, we proved that autonomy, trust, and collaboration are the true drivers of success.
Outlook for 2025
Looking ahead, our ambitions are clear. We aim to make Belnet more agile, capable of anticipating and responding to evolving needs, and to further strengthen our role as a unifying force in Belgium’s digital landscape. Our immediate priorities include:
- Finalising the FedWAN project
- Achieving ISO 27001 certification
- Meeting the requirements of the NIS2 directive
In research and education, preparations are already underway for the renewal of the national research network. We also plan to contribute to strategic European initiatives such as EuroHPC. At the same time, we will further involve our communities in our governance through the creation of a Community Council, ensuring that our services are closely aligned with their needs and expectations.
Entering 2025 with Confidence
We approach 2025 with confidence, energy, and a clear vision. Belnet stands as a stable, innovative, and client-oriented pillar of Belgium’s digital ecosystem – ready to deliver on today’s commitments and shape tomorrow’s opportunities.
Would you like me to tighten it even more into an “executive summary” style (shorter, punchier, almost brochure-like), or keep this full narrative annual report tone?