September 17, 2026 – With 120,000 jobs remaining vacant in Brussels and its economic hinterland, Beci, the Fédération Horeca Bruxelles, Federgon, and Comeos present DIAM’s (Dispositif Intégré d’Amélioration de l’employabilité et de Mise à l’emploi des chercheurs d’emploi / Integrated Scheme to Improve Employability and Job Placement for Jobseekers). Facing a tight labor market, the initiative aims to reach the 70% employment rate target set by the Region and meet recruitment needs by radically simplifying a previously fragmented system.
Following the discontinuation of Activa subsidies and social security reductions for older workers, DIAM’s aims to merge existing employment schemes to provide greater transparency and mobilize a €30 million budget. The result will be a single framework bridging on-the-job training and hiring, with Actiris serving as the central hub.
"With 120,000 job vacancies in Brussels and its surroundings, we must better connect people looking for work with companies looking to hire. DIAM’s proposes bringing these two realities closer together by simplifying mechanisms and allocating resources where they will have the greatest impact," explains Thierry Geerts, CEO of Beci.
The initiative combines support, training, and employment aid. It provides enhanced support from Actiris and its partners within seven days of registration. It also relies on closer collaboration with temporary employment agencies and coaching providers. On-the-job training is also being revamped: FPIE (Formation Professionnelle Individuelle en entreprise / Individual Vocational Training in Companies) becomes accessible from the very first day of inactivity, for up to 12 months. It offers jobseekers a progressive allowance and guarantees a fixed-term (CDD) or permanent (CDI) employment contract upon completion.
"To be effective, support must start quickly, be intensive, and remain close to the jobseeker. Actiris has a central role to play in this by working with its partners and private employment actors," says Thierry Devillez, Wallonia-Brussels Director at Federgon.
After four months of registration as a jobseeker, direct financial support will be granted for 12 to 24 months to private employers located in Brussels who hire a Brussels-based jobseeker.
Matthieu Léonard, President of the Fédération Horeca Bruxelles, notes: " A smooth and transparent system benefits everyone. By offering a pathway that combines on-the-job training with hiring incentives, DIAM's provides a coherent solution to develop skills and support employment. It's a win-win for everyone. "
In practice, administrative steps are reduced to a minimum: a single point of contact at Actiris, a digital platform, a joint application for training and employment aid, and an eligibility and funding determination within 24 hours.
"For a company that is hiring, the system must be easy to understand and use. If we want to bring businesses and jobseekers closer together, we also need to make their lives easier," stresses Lora Nivesse, Director of Public Affairs at Comeos.
Finally, DIAM’s includes continuous monitoring and a three-year review to assess performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure maximum efficiency.
About Beci
Voice, Connect, Serve: For 300 years, Beci has been the leading partner for Brussels entrepreneurs. True to its mission, the organization, representing over 35,000 entrepreneurs and businesses in Brussels, defends its members' interests, facilitates networking through more than 500 events a year, and offers tailored services. As a true bridge between the public and private sectors, Beci acts as a driver for the Region's economic and social development.