Study visits
General information
We have organised three optional study visits on both days of Europe, let's cooperate!
- Discover digital Antwerp
- Go green and dive into sustainable Antwerp
- Visit cultural Antwerp
20 March 2024
The visit is planned from 14:00-17:00. Those attending the study visits will not be able participate in any of the afternoon's networking activities.
We depart at 13:45 in front of the venue's entrance. Then, we will guide you to your bus.
21 March 2024
The visit is planned from 10:00-12:30. Those attending the study visits will not be able participate in any of the morning's Policy Learning Platform activities.
We depart at 9:50 in front of the venue's entrance. Then, we will guide you to your bus.
Study visits
Have a closer look at the detailed information of each study visit.
Discover digital Antwerp: visit the port of Antwerp. The wide open gates of technical innovation.
Get to know the port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe's second-largest port and a driver of the circular economy and energy transition, which contributes to build a more sustainable world.
The port of Antwerp-Bruges has always been a testing ground and a place of innovation. Together with the port community and our partners, they turn today's challenges - such as energy transition, digitalisation and mobility - into solutions. This is how they prepare the port for the future and make it more efficient, safer and smarter.
Please note that you might be spending time outdoors during the visit.
We have organised the visit in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. You will be accompanied by:
- Sophie Vescovacci, Public affairs advisor for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges
- Arnault Morisson, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic Expert for a Smarter Europe
- Mario Vadepied, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Assistant
On Thursday 21 March, you will be accompanied by:
- Sophie Vescovacci, Public affairs advisor for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges
- Rene Tõnnisson Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic Expert for a Smarter Europe
Discover Circuit, a circular playground for everyone who wants to live sustainably, animated by Kringwinkel Antwerp, owner of the good practice: the collection.
Circuit is a circular playground where you take the first steps towards a sustainable life: shopping in the second-hand range of the thrift store or choosing from local circular products. In the meantime, you can follow a workshop or buy a sustainable bouquet of flowers. It's all possible at Circuit!
At Circuit, sustainable companies also get the opportunity to evolve their product along with the thoughts and dreams of their audience.
Please note that you might be spending time outdoors during the visit.
We have organised the visit in collaboration with Kringwinkel. During the study visit, you will be accompanied by:
- Frank Dingemans, director Innovation and Sustainability at Kringwinkel Antwerpen
- Sam Elinck, Project Manager Innovation at Kringwinkel Antwerpen
- Magda Michaliková, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic Expert for a Greener Europe
- Karine Hakobyan Gevorgyan Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Administrator
On Thursday 21 March, you will be accompanied by:
- Frank Dingemans, director Innovation and Sustainability at Kringwinkel Antwerpen
- Sam Elinck, Project Manager Innovation at Kringwinkel Antwerpen
- Simon Hunkin Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic Expert for a Greener Europe and More Connected Europe
Fort Lillo: a time machine heritage site.
Take a look at the Antwerp's cultural heritage and its future.
Just north of Antwerp (Belgium) lies Fort Lillo. Fort Lillo is one of the oldest forts around Antwerp. It was built in 1578-80, together with Fort Liefkenshoek on the other side of the Scheldt, for the military control of shipping on the river Scheldt, the lifeline of Antwerp, at that moment the largest harbour in the world.
By imposing a toll on all commercial traffic to Antwerp, Fort Lillo has played a major role in the spectacular expansion of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities in the 17th century. Fort Lillo remained a fortress until the 19th century and continued to be inhabited until today.
As part of the Interreg Europe RFC project, researchers from the Centre for Urban History at the University of Antwerp teamed up with Visual Dimension, a company specialised in digital heritage, and the Regionaal Landschap de Voorkempen to create a 'time machine'. During the study visit, you will discover the 'time machine', allowing you to virtually travel between the past, present, and future of Fort Lillo.
Please note that you will be spending time outdoors during the visit.
During the visit, you will be accompanied by:
- Daniël Pletinckx, developer Visual Dimension
- Frederick Bruneel project coordinator city of Antwerp
- Astrid Severin, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic for a Greener Europe and Europe closer to citizen.
- Antoine Duquennoy, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic Manager
On Thursday 21 March, you will be accompanied by:
- Daniël Pletinckx, developer Visual Dimension
- Frederick Bruneel project coordinator city of Antwerp
- Magda Michaliková, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform's Thematic Expert for a Greener Europe