ERDF Beliris

“Europe – Close to You”: focus on projects in Wallonia and Brussels that were co-financed by the European Union

The campaign “Europe – Close to You”, which is the result of a collaboration between the Representation of the European Commission in Belgium and the authorities in French-speaking Belgium, was launched on 23 November 2020.

This campaign aims to raise citizens’ awareness of the European Union’s support for Belgian projects, from Brussels to Bastogne, Namur, Mons, Tournai and even Verviers. Why was this campaign set up? Because research revealed that only 22% of Belgians know of projects that were co-financed by the European Union, compared to the Europe-wide average of 40%.

“Europe – Close to You” consisted of broadcasting short videos that highlight projects that were co-financed by the European Union in Wallonia and Brussels. Lasting about one minute each, these short videos were shown on local French-language channels from 23 November to 6 December 2020, at the rate of one project per channel. At the same time, a digital communication campaign ran, targeting people who live near these projects.



An incubator, a social supermarket, a museum, an innovation lab… The campaign also highlighted the diversity of the projects that the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or the European Social Fund (ESF) supports in our region. You can find all the videos on the YouTube channel of Brussels International, where you can download them (with or without subtitles).


Do (re)watch these videos of great projects and initiatives that are really worth discovering:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzp4sqj-KlUg6gRwGRPCHCasY9ZzFnUAS