G-STIC: Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community

🌍 Citizen science meets AI for cleaner air 🌿 The teams KU Leuven and Egerton University are tackling air quality challenges in an innovative way in Nakuru, Kenya. This project empowers communities to monitor air pollution using low-cost sensors, satellite data, and machine learning. It’s not just about data — it's about democratizing air quality monitoring and putting tools in the hands of people most affected by pollution. A fantastic example of how tech, transparency, and local knowledge can come together to safeguard public health & drive environmental action. This project is funded by the Government of Flanders through the Flanders Climate Action Programme. Departement Omgeving

Residents of Nakuru, Kenya - Je, hewa ni chafu? Peana repoti!!

Mission Suriname: towards green energy! 🌿 Combining advanced micro-hydropower turbines with data-driven water management, ensuring reliable energy production even under extreme conditions. That is our Suriname project in a nutshell! By leveraging real-time and historical climate data, we continuously optimize energy output while safeguarding our natural water resources. Building further on our previous visit to Suriname, with the support of, among others, Ambassador Gilbêrt van Lierop, HAEDES is proud to join forces with our Flemish and Surinamese partners Turbulent Hydro, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, VITO, AMPS Power Solutions,  Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V and in cooperation with #ADEK University to drive Suriname’s transition to sustainable, climate-friendly energy. Our project goes beyond clean power: we cut CO₂ emissions while supporting vital education and healthcare initiatives in communities like Nieuw Nickerie and Apoera. This #FICAP initiative funded by the Government of Flanders is a blueprint for sustainable development, merging advanced technology with strong local engagement. Let’s power a greener future together! #FICAP #GreenEnergy #Suriname #Sustainability #WaterManagement #ClimateAction #Klimaatactie #Klimaatactieprogramma #ClimateActionProgramme Departement Omgeving G-STIC: Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community

🌍 𝗚-𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 Last month, Dietrich Van der Weken and Mao Debin visited China to explore new opportunities in the field of 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. This mission provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships with 𝗚𝗜𝗘𝗖, JITRI - Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, and International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR). At the same time, Dietrich and Mao engaged with Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning,World Green Design Organisation, and 𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 to explore new avenues for cooperation, fostering connections with key organizations in environmental policy, green design, and technological development. China plays a key role globally in the development of sustainable solutions, and this mission offered valuable insights in technology. Additionally, we met with Koen De Ridder (Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT)) and Tine Jacobs (Minister-Counsellor Economy, Belgian Embassy) to discuss how 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆 and international collaboration can accelerate sustainable transitions and strengthen strategic partnerships between Belgium and China. #GSTIC #Sustainability #InternationalCooperation #China #Innovation

📡🌍 Smart Weather Stations: Empowering Communities in the Sahel 🌱 Lignaverda is leveraging cutting-edge climate technology to help local communities in the Sahel adapt to climate disruption. With support from Flemish International Climate Action Programme (FICAP), and in partnership with Ondernemers voor Ondernemers vzw (OvO) & VITO, we are deploying local weather stations to enhance seasonal forecasting with CLIMTAG (https://lnkd.in/eGg-6ZD6). Why it matters: ✔️ Better weather predictions help farmers anticipate the rainy season and optimize sowing schedules, increasing crop yields and food security. ✔️ High-precision climate data enable a data-driven reforestation strategy, maximizing tree survival rates. ✔️ Stronger resilience through collaboration with local communities and innovative technology partners. Together, we are building a future where agriculture and nature thrive.  Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJhUwk2i 🌿 This project was funded by the Flemish Government.  Departement Omgeving  G-STIC: Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community #climatechange #greatgreenwall #impacts #reforestation #sdg 

Impressive to see what is being achieved in #Uganda by Mountains of the Moon University, Ghent University and Deroose Plants Group. Multistakeholder collaboration across borders is key for building resilience to climate change. We look forward to the further development of the lab! This project is funded by the Government of Flanders through the Flanders International Climate Action Programme. Departement Omgeving Vlaamse overheid #capacitybuilding #innovation #research #impact #climatechange

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗢 & 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 🤝   Last Thursday, VITO had the pleasure of hosting Ms. Eudy Mabuza, Senior Science and Innovation Representative for the South African Government in Brussels, at our headquarters in Mol.   A day packed with exciting exchanges and opportunities: ✅ Exploring new ways to strengthen collaboration between VITO and the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, because ‘science knows no borders’ ✅ Showcasing VITO’s international projects, with a special spotlight on the 𝗚-𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 in Pretoria, South-Africa (from 8th – 10th of October), an annual highlight within the 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 & 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 ✅ Gaining key insights into South Africa’s science & innovation landscape,  fostering opportunities to co-develop 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 ✅ Brainstorming on potential partnerships and gearing up for the upcoming visits of Industrial Development Corporation & Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)], two key players in Africa’s sustainable innovation landscape   To top it off, we wrapped up the day with a guided tour of VITO’s facilities, including an introduction to our 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 and 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁. 🌍🔬   Excited to see how this collaboration unfolds! Want to know more about G-STIC 2025 in Pretoria and how it's driving 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?? Stay tuned! 🔗👉 https://lnkd.in/gmJta8Yr   #VITOinternational #GSTIC #GSTICinternational #SouthAfrica #science #technology #innovation #internationalaffairs #sustainability

Fingers crossed! 🌍 Will Turbulent Hydro and ABALOBI take home the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025 tomorrow? This Tuesday, 14/01, the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced. We are thrilled to discover that two organisations of our network have been nominated — Turbulent and Abalobi! Both of these inspiring partners are pioneering innovative solutions that are driving us towards a sustainable & just future. Through their general work and projects within the Flanders International Climate Action Programme (FICAP), they showcase the power of collective action and innovation in addressing the urgent climate challenges. Read more about their projects within FICAP: Turbulent: https://lnkd.in/eUidddwZ Abalobi: https://lnkd.in/eJTYG94V We commend the Zayed Sustainability Prize for recognizing trailblazers like these, and we’re proud to see our network members shine on a global stage. #ZayedSustainabilityPrize #FlandersClimateAction #Sustainability #Innovation #CleanEnergy #CommunityEmpowerment #sustainablefisheries #Collectiveaction Walter J.R. Buydens Imane Benamar Serge Raemaekers

💡 The Governments of Flanders and South Africa have maintained good relations for 30 years. On 19 December 2024, the eighth Permanent Joint Commission between Flanders and South Africa took place in Brussels.  📑 The Commission confirmed that future cooperation will continue to revolve around themes such as arts and culture, higher education, science and innovation, green transition and investment. 🌲 The already existing collaboration between the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will be continued. VITO helps promote cleantech, renewable energy and sustainable resource management in South Africa, among other things. VITO and the CSIR intend to continue expanding their collaboration. The 8th Conference of the G-STIC: Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community provides a valuable platform for this. It will take place in Pretoria from 7 to 9 October 2025.  🤝 To reaffirm relations between Flanders and South Africa, our Secretary General, Julie Bynens, and Ms Maud Dlomo (Deputy Director-General of the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation) signed a joint statement. Flanders in Southern Africa    #Flanders #South_Africa #cooperation #exchange #sustainabledevelopment Copyright photos – Sive Cauwenberghs 

🌱 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞   Over 500 farming families in the Philippines are transforming their livelihoods through agroecology, a practice that boosts food security, restores ecosystems, and mitigates climate change.   Led by ngo Solidagro in collaboration with CCNCI, MASIPAG, and Ibon, this project brings agroecology to life with learning farms. These hubs enable farmers to adopt sustainable methods, share experiences, and advocate for policies that scale agroecological solutions.   🎥 Discover more with Pascal Van Driessche, Program Lead Solidagro.   👉 Read all the details here: https://lnkd.in/d6icK3Wu   This project received funding from the Flemish Government through the Flanders International Climate Action Programme, an initiative coordinated by G-STIC and Departement Omgeving   #Agroecology #ClimateAction #SustainableAgriculture #ResilientCommunities #Biodiversity #FoodSecurity #ClimateAdaptation #Philippines