The SWIFT Chair (Sustainable World Initiative & Fellowship for Transformation) brings a fresh approach to climate research and action. By connecting researchers across disciplines – from engineering to economics, from social sciences to sustainability studies – this program tackles the complex challenge of societal transformation head-on. Over five years, it will connect technical innovation, social justice, and financial expertise to create practical solutions for a sustainable future.

We’re encouraging innovative research while building strong connections with businesses, civil society, citizen groups, and policymakers. – Cathy Macharis, co-coordinator of SWIFT

Four pillars of transformation

The program launches with four interdisciplinary research projects, each taking on crucial aspects of the climate transition:

• Sustainable Transformations and Transdisciplinary Research, focusing on the intersection of sustainability and societal well-being (Promotors: Cathy Macharis, VUB Faculty of Economics and Wouter Achten, ULB Faculty of Sciences)
• Sustainable Technology, developing innovative technical solutions for the climate crisis (Promotors: Alessandro Parente, ULB École Polytechnique de Bruxelles and Julien Blondeau, VUB Faculty of Engineering)
• Decarbonization and Justice, ensuring a fair and equitable transition (Promotors: Bas van Heur, VUB and Tom Bauler, ULB Faculty of Sciences)
• Decarbonization and Finance, creating economic pathways to a zero-carbon future (Promotors: Marek Hudon, ULB Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management and David Bassens, VUB Faculty of Sciences and Bio-engineering Sciences)

This chair connects the research strengths of VUB-ULB to develop a practical and multi-sided approach to the challenges of moving to a sustainable world,” explains Professor Cathy Macharis, co-chair holder and one of the coordinators of the collective. “We’re encouraging innovative research while building strong connections with businesses, civil society, citizen groups, and policymakers.

DeCarbonLab: where innovation meets action

At the heart of this project is the DeCarbonLab, a shared workspace that will bring together research teams led by professors who specialize in energy and climate transitions. Based on a shared VUB-ULB campus focused on transition and transformation challenges, the lab will work closely with BrIAS (Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies, ULB-VUB) to attract leading scientists working on urgent societal issues.

The lab will connect researchers, policy makers, and business leaders from around the world. This setup helps turn research into practical solutions for Belgium’s shift to a carbon-neutral society.

The SWIFT team will work on real challenges in Belgium’s move to a low-carbon society. Research groups will explore key questions like how to build reliable renewable energy networks, how to make the transition fair for workers and the environment, and how to encourage more people to use renewable energy.

The Helios Foundation’s €10.6 million investment over five years shows its dedication to solving two of Belgium’s biggest challenges: moving to a carbon-neutral economy and improving workplace well-being. Through this work, the foundation continues to drive innovation and build partnerships between universities, businesses, and social partners.

Looking ahead, the research teams will be chosen in the coming months and will work from USquare, the former military complex that now houses both VUB and ULB projects. This shared space shows how working together can help solve our biggest global problems.