Advancing Digital Sovereignty Initiatives in Belgium

In the Netherlands, France, and Germany, movements around digital sovereignty have been active for some years. In Belgium it has been noticeably quiet, despite a continued reliance by companies and public institutions on international, often US-based, tech providers for critical data infrastructure. In today’s volatile geopolitical climate, that dependence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

To help drive this conversation forward, the Knowledge Centre Data & Society is celebrating the launch of BeLibre: a new think tank uniting experts and engaged citizens in Belgium around digital sovereignty.

On Thursday 7 May, BeLibre will take its first step toward becoming an official non-profit. This milestone marks the beginning of a much-needed national dialogue and an opportunity for you to be part of it. 

Join us and discover BeLibre the programme below.

About BeLibre

The realisation that Belgium lacked the active digital sovereignty movements seen in neighboring countries led to the launch of BeLibre in February 2025, after six months of connecting with concerned citizens and experts.

Since then, BeLibre hasn’t stood still. There have been articles, talks with politicians and entrepreneurs, and a growing group of people who see what’s at stake. BeLibre points out where public institutions are digitally exposed, shines a light on dependencies that often go unnoticed, and spotlights progress, such as the initiatives led by Digisprong and iMio.

BeLibre is a group of engaged citizens, with no political or commercial agenda. Real change needs more than just alarm bells; it needs people who understand the issues and organisations ready to act. That’s why BeLibre works with EduCode and a new professional network, each pushing the others forward.

This event is the next step. BeLibre is bringing its network together, mapping out what comes next, and starting the process to become an official non-profit: with supporters, sceptics, and everyone in betweenl

Programme