Wallonie Bruxelles International

What Wallonie Bruxelles International does

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) is a Belgian public interest agency (organisme d'intérêt public de service public) headquartered at 2, place Sainctelette, 1080 Brussels, mandated to manage the international relations of three public authorities: the Wallonia Region, the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, and the Commission communautaire française de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (Cocof). Within the framework of bilateral agreements with 70 countries and regions, WBI supports creators, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and academic institutions from Wallonia-Brussels seeking international exposure, funding, and partnerships. Its service portfolio is organized into thematic areas — International Cooperation, Europe, Francophonie, Youth, Culture (architecture, visual arts, audiovisual, dance, design, books, fashion, music, theater), Education/Training/Internships/Employment, and Research & Innovation — and is delivered through named programs such as Excellence WORLD (doctoral/postdoctoral scholarships at €2,120/month), the Hubert Curien Tournesol bilateral scientific cooperation with France, language-learning bourses abroad, and specialization/research-stay scholarships.

WBI's operational footprint combines a Brussels headquarters, joint delegations abroad (Germany, Vietnam), a network of Scientific and Academic Advisors (CSA) stationed in at least 12 priority countries (France, Canada, Switzerland, Nordic countries, Brazil, UK, Germany, USA, Japan, Spain, Netherlands), and a constellation of cultural-promotion touchpoints (Centres Wallonie-Bruxelles, Belgium House, Casa Valonia, the Revue W+B magazine, and the Les Belges Histoires video series). The agency funds and coordinates its programs through annual appropriations from its three tutelle authorities and partners with AWEX (export/investment), APEFE (training abroad), F.R.S.-FNRS, CONFAP (Brazil), and the Erasmus-style language partner network. WBI is not a technology company; its service delivery is administrative and diplomatic rather than productized, with no proprietary technology stack, no public API, and no disclosed software product. Its 2025 activity report, published 30 June 2026, frames the year's work against intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and Central Africa, underscoring WBI's role as a continuity-oriented public instrument rather than a growth-stage private enterprise.

Name

Wallonie Bruxelles International

Legal name

Wallonie-Bruxelles International

Website

https://wbi.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) is a Belgian public interest agency (OIP) that manages international relations for Wallonia, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, and Cocof, administering scholarships, bilateral cooperation, and cultural-promotion programs across 70 partner countries via a Brussels HQ and 12+ Scientific and Academic Advisor offices abroad.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Relations and Public Diplomacy Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), National Security and International Affairs (9281)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Treaties, International Law & Boundary Affairs (BPAIAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO), Global Emergency Support & Risk Response for International Students (crisis response, reporting, liaison) (EDALANAJ)

Keywords

• International relations services
• Public diplomacy agency
• Research scholarships
• Scientific cooperation programs
• Cultural promotion abroad

Headquarters

HQ city

Molenbeek-saint-jean

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: WBI is funded by the Wallonia Region, the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, and the Commission communautaire française de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (Cocof) as part of its public service mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) is a Belgian public interest agency that manages the international relations of Wallonia, the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and the Cocof. Its core offering consists of publicly funded services: bilateral cooperation with approximately 70 countries, international research scholarships (Excellence WORLD, Hubert Curien Tournesol, specialization and language grants), cultural promotion abroad through Centres Wallonie-Bruxelles and event platforms, EU funding support via Walmeet.eu, and on-the-ground diplomatic support delivered through a network of Scientific and Academic Advisors (CSA) stationed in 12 countries.

Product overview

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) is a public interest organization (OIP) managing international relations for the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The organization does not operate a unified software product but rather provides a portfolio of services organized into thematic areas: International Cooperation (bilateral relations with 70+ countries), Culture (architecture, visual arts, audiovisual, dance, design, books, fashion, music, theater), Research & Innovation (via the Excellence WORLD scholarship, Tournesol program, and CSA network), Education and Training, and Youth programs. Key named offerings include the Revue W+B (magazine publication), Les Belges Histoires (video portrait series), Excellence WORLD and Tournesol (international research scholarships), Casa Valonia and Belgium House (promotional event platforms), and the Recherche & Innovation Platform (coordination body). The WBI network also includes cultural centers (Centres Wallonie-Bruxelles) abroad and provides language learning and specialization scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Revue W+B: A magazine/publication covering Wallonia-Brussels international activities, culture, cooperation, and news.
• Les Belges Histoires
• Excellence WORLD
• Programme Hubert Curien Tournesol

Products and services

• International cooperation service (Coopération internationale) International cooperation service managing bilateral relations with approximately 70 countries and regions and supporting creators and entrepreneurs from Wallonia-Brussels.
• Bilateral cooperation service (Coopération bilatérale) Bilateral cooperation service managing country-specific partnerships, agreements and diplomatic relations with partner nations.
• Excellence WORLD International research scholarship programme established by WBI in 2008 supporting doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles institutions to conduct research at foreign institutions worldwide, including long-term and short-term scholarships with monthly allowances.
• Programme Hubert Curien Tournesol Bilateral scientific and technological cooperation programme between Wallonia-Brussels Fédération and France, supporting fundamental research mobility through the F.R.S.-FNRS and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (up to €2,000/year per project).
• Bourse de spécialisation à l'étranger Scholarship programme enabling graduates from Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles higher education institutions to specialize for one academic year abroad or obtain complementary diplomas internationally.
• Bourse pour séjour de recherche à l'étranger Scholarship service allowing graduates from Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles higher education institutions to conduct research stays abroad (1–6 months) for complementary specialization, doctoral or postdoctoral work.
• Apprentissage ou perfectionnement linguistique à l'étranger Summer language learning programme at partner country institutions under bilateral cooperation agreements with 12 countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey). WBI covers international travel costs; partner countries cover registration, accommodation and meals.
• Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles (CWB) cultural centre network International cultural promotion network with WBI centres in various countries (e.g. Centre WBA for architecture, Centre in Uzbekistan at Tashkent University), promoting Wallonia-Brussels culture abroad.
• Walmeet.eu Walloon Region service facilitating and supporting Walloon operators' positioning in European funding initiatives and programmes, providing guidance on accessing European financing.
• Plateforme Recherche & Innovation Coordination platform bringing together research and innovation actors from Wallonia and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles to promote international scientific and technological cooperation and strengthen visibility.
• Casa Valonia Biannual international visibility operation (alternating between Spain and Italy) promoting Wallonia internationally, featuring business delegations, academic exchanges and cultural activities.
• Belgium House WBI-organized promotional event platform showcasing Wallonia-Brussels innovation, entrepreneurship, research and creative industries internationally, such as the London edition held on 2 June.
• Revue W+B magazine WBI's regular magazine publication covering international cooperation, culture, research and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles activities, featuring dossiers, portraits and news about Belgian talents and international projects.
• Les Belges Histoires video series Portrait video series produced by WBI showcasing talents from Wallonia-Brussels at the international level, featuring entrepreneurs, artists, researchers and creators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Support provided to creators and entrepreneurs under agreements with 70 countries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CONFAP (Conselho Nacional das Fundações de Amparo à Pesquisa)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026CONFAP is the Brazilian National Council of State Funding Agencies. WBI launched a joint call for research and innovation projects with CONFAP for the 2027-2028 period, focusing on health innovations, sustainable energy systems, agri-food chains, and Amazon management.
• AWEX (Agence wallonne à l'Export et aux Investissements étrangers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWEX is the Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investment, working in partnership with WBI to support internationalization of Wallonia-Brussels actors. WBI coordinates with AWEX for economic missions and commercial diplomacy activities.
• APEFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPEFE (Association pour la Promotion de l'Enseignement et de la Formation à l'Étranger) collaborates with WBI on development cooperation and educational projects internationally.
• Visit WalloniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit Wallonia promotes tourism to the Wallonia region internationally, complementing WBI's international promotion activities.
• F.R.S.-FNRS (Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerF.R.S.-FNRS is the Belgian National Scientific Research Fund. WBI partners with F.R.S.-FNRS for the Hubert Curien Tournesol program (scientific cooperation with France) and joint evaluation of research projects.
• Wallonia RegioncoreOthersOne of WBI's three parent entities (along with Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Cocof), providing core funding and policy direction.
• Fédération Wallonie-BruxellescoreOthersOne of WBI's three parent entities, providing core funding and policy direction for international relations.
• Cocof (Commission communautaire française de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale)coreOthersOne of WBI's three parent entities, representing the French-speaking community of Brussels in WBI's governance.
• Partner countries for language scholarshipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreements with 12 countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey) for summer language learning programs.
• Universities and higher education institutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBI's Excellence WORLD program supports universities, higher education institutions, and researchers from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation for international research placements worldwide, aligned with the Marshall Plan 4.0 competitive clusters.
• Hubert Curien Tournesol partner institutions (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between F.R.S.-FNRS, WBI, and French institutions (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation) for scientific cooperation supporting mobility of young researchers between Wallonia-Brussels and France.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Swissnex: Swissnex is the Swiss global network connecting Switzerland's education, research, and innovation actors with peers abroad via offices in Boston, San Francisco, New York, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangalore, and São Paulo. It is the closest functional analog to WBI's CSA network, operating with a similar mandate of promoting a sub-national research/innovation ecosystem internationally.
• Campus France: Campus France is the French national agency for the promotion of higher education, international student services, and management of scholarship programs. It is comparable to WBI's Excellence WORLD and language scholarship programs in mandate, structure, and target beneficiaries (international students and researchers).
• Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT): FIT is the Flemish counterpart to the Wallonia-Brussels international apparatus, supporting Flemish companies abroad, attracting foreign investment, and managing international economic missions. It is directly comparable as Belgium's other linguistic-community agency for internationalization, and a structural counterpart to WBI's role vis-à-vis Wallonia.
• Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council: Pro Helvetia is the Swiss Arts Council promoting Swiss contemporary arts and cultural exchange internationally, including through a network of offices and cultural programs. It is comparable to WBI's Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles cultural network and the cultural promotion pillar of WBI's mandate.
• AWEX (Agence wallonne à l'Export et aux Investissements étrangers): AWEX is the Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investment, a direct operational partner of WBI that handles economic and commercial diplomacy abroad. It is closely comparable in mission scope (internationalization of Wallonia-based actors) and is co-located with WBI in several delegations abroad.
• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF): AUF is the association of Francophone universities and research institutions that supports academic cooperation, research, and student mobility across the Francophone world. It is highly comparable to WBI given the shared Francophonie focus and overlapping scholarship/academic cooperation mandate.

Broad incumbents

• British Council: The British Council is the UK's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, operating in over 100 countries. It is comparable to WBI as a state-backed entity promoting a country's educational, cultural, and scientific soft power abroad, though at significantly larger scale and budget.
• Goethe-Institut: The Goethe-Institut is Germany's worldwide cultural institute promoting German language, culture, and international academic cooperation through a network of branches and information centers. It shares WBI's mandate of international cultural and educational promotion, but operates at a much larger scale and with broader geographic coverage.
• Institut Français: Institut Français is the French institution responsible for France's cultural action abroad, managing a worldwide network of French cultural centers and programs. It is comparable to WBI in mission (cultural promotion abroad) and operating model (state-backed network of offices delivering cultural programs), though at substantially larger scale.

Regional players

• Délégations du Québec / Québec International: Québec International is Quebec's economic development agency supporting export and foreign investment, while Délégations du Québec manage the province's diplomatic and cultural representation abroad. This is comparable to WBI as a sub-national entity promoting a Francophone region internationally, with a similar public-agency structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wbi_tweet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/wbiwebtv
• Facebookfacebook.com/wallonie.bruxelles.international
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wallonie-bruxelles-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/wal.bru.international

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wallonie Bruxelles International