NIDO: The Innovation Lab of the Belgian Government

Created to foster innovation within public services, NIDO—the innovation lab of the Belgian federal government—aimed to encourage experimentation and the development of innovative solutions. While it had been responsible for notable initiatives such as the Network Innovation program, the Federal Innovation Award, and Gov Buys Innovation, in September 2023, NIDO faced significant challenges, including the lack of a well-defined mission or strategic focus and internal resistance within its parent organization, the Federal Public Service Policy and Support (BOSA). The head of NIDO was facing a number of key questions in his quest to secure the government’s funding for NIDO: How could he best ensure that NIDO’s successes and value to Belgium’s public sector were effectively communicated? Should the lab be more closely integrated with other BOSA departments, or should it be repositioned within BOSA for greater visibility and access to resources? Finally, should he advocate for more direct funding or propose alternative models such as resource-sharing arrangements?