BEP

BEP (Bureau Économique de la Province de Namur) is a public development organization created in 1963 and charged with supporting the economic, social, and environmental development of the Province of Namur. It works in coordination with Walloon authorities and with the Province of Namur and the 38 municipalities that are its historical shareholders. The BEP acts as a coordinating umbrella for several thematic intermunicipal companies and departments. Through this structure, it helps municipalities, businesses, and local stakeholders develop projects, manage infrastructure, and address territorial challenges in a way that supports long-term regional development. Its positioning is explicitly territorial and public-interest driven: the BEP aims to strengthen Namur’s attractiveness, support innovation and local entrepreneurship, improve environmental performance, and help the province adapt to energy, digital, and sustainability transitions. Key Offerings Economic development support : The BEP supports innovation and creativity in the Namur business ecosystem, including assistance to companies located in or considering the province and the animation of economic development initiatives. Business parks and incubators : Through BEP Expansion économique, it creates and manages business infrastructure such as parks, incubators, and related facilities for companies. Environmental services : Through BEP Environnement, it handles waste collection and treatment, along with education and prevention activities related to waste and environmental management. Territorial development support : The BEP helps municipalities integrate new territorial challenges and supports them in managing their territory in a dynamic, efficient, and long-term way. Energy participation management : Through IDEFIN, it manages municipal financial participations in energy distribution networks. Public crematorium services : Through BEP Crématorium, it develops, organizes, and manages public funeral facilities, including the Crématorium du Cœur de la Wallonie in Ciney. Namur Expo management : The BEP also manages Namur Expo, a multifunctional exhibition venue in Namur. Core Values Sustainability : The BEP frames its work around durable economic, environmental, and territorial development, and its CSR page emphasizes ESG integration, biodiversity, circularity, and climate-related issues. Public service : Its activities are designed to serve municipalities, citizens, and local stakeholders through practical public-interest missions rather than purely commercial objectives. Quality and continuous improvement : The organization highlights long-standing quality and environmental management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and EMAS certifications. Collaboration : The BEP’s model relies on coordination across departments, intermunicipal companies, communes, the Province of Namur, and external partners. Innovation : It promotes innovation in territorial development, economic support, and European-funded projects, including digital, creative, and energy-transition initiatives. Unique Aspects A multi-mission public group : The BEP is not a single-purpose agency; it coordinates four thematic intermunicipal companies spanning environment, economic development, energy finance, and crematorium services. Deep territorial footprint : Its work covers the Province of Namur and its 38 communes, with a strategy tailored to rural, urban, and supra-communal dynamics. European project involvement : The BEP actively participates in FEDER, FEADER, and Interreg programs, including projects such as Namur Green City Lab, AITIMI, Build Value, and Cross4Mobility. Long operating history : Founded in 1963, the BEP has built a long institutional track record, with milestones ranging from the first economic activity park in 1965 to more recent initiatives such as coworking, crowdfunding, and circular-economy projects. Certified management systems : The organization states that it has maintained quality and environmental certifications for years, including ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for economic activity parks, and EMAS for landfill and composting operations.