LuxDev, which wishes to strengthen its links with the Luxembourg research and innovation ecosystem, in the service of development cooperation, is consolidating its cooperation with Luxinnovation.
Jean-Michel Gaudron
After three years of increasing and fruitful collaboration between the two agencies, LuxDev and Luxinnovation have chosen to strengthen their ties for a period of five years.
On 5 June 2024, Manuel Tonnar, Director General of LuxDev, and Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation, signed a letter of intent to strengthen their collaboration.
"This synergy is essential for LuxDev, which brings together and develops multi-stakeholder partnerships for successful sustainable development. Effective and inclusive partnerships, particularly with the private sector and the research community, are indeed necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals," emphasised Manuel Tonnar, Director General of LuxDev.
On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation, and Foreign Trade, LuxDev implements several financing facilities for private companies or public research bodies that, through their projects, contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Since 2016, for example, the Business Partnership Facility has encouraged the Luxembourg and European private sectors to partner with stakeholders in developing countries to implement innovative and commercially viable projects that support sustainable development in its social, economic, or environmental aspects.
Support and identification of partnersFor its part, Luxinnovation's mission is to support innovative projects carried out by Luxembourgish companies through innovation support services. "For several years, Luxinnovation has supported LuxDev in the implementation of the Business Partnership Facility, notably by assisting Luxembourgish companies in preparing their proposals and LuxDev in analysing the received applications," explained Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation.
Through the letter of intent, LuxDev and Luxinnovation commit to continue their collaboration within the framework of the Business Partnership Facility, as well as any other co-financing mechanism managed by LuxDev involving private companies or public research bodies in Luxembourg.
In a logic of valuing Luxembourgish expertise relevant in the context of development cooperation, LuxDev can call on Luxinnovation's services to identify potential Luxembourgish partners interested in innovative initiatives led by companies in developing countries.
