Belgian Mediation Month 2025

Milieu Consulting organises an informative and didactive event on mediation for construction disputes during the 2025 Belgian Mediation Month.

As part of the Belgian Federal Mediation Commission's Mediation Month 2025 (FBC/CFM), we are pleased to invite you to an in-person event titled ‘Building the Future. Pilot Project, Case Study, and Discussion on the Future of Mediation in Construction.’ The event will bring together participants with diverse experience and involvement in mediation, ranging from judges and mediators to insurance and construction companies.

Milieu Consulting is organising this event on behalf of the European Innovation Council and the SME Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). To conclude the EISMEA/DG GROW pilot project on mediation in the construction sector, join us for

• a discussion with DG GROW on mediation in the EU in the context of payment disputes
• a presentation of the pilot project's findings, including contractual clauses
• a fictional mediation case
• a panel discussion on the progress and future of mediation
• a ‘Meet & Greet’ lunch

The conference will take place on Tuesday 30 September 2025, from 9.00 to 14.00 CET in French, and from 12.00 to 17.00 CET in Dutch.

A lunch for meeting and networking (12.00 to 14.00) is also planned, allowing the participants from various backgrounds – mediators, judges, companies – to meet.

Programme

Morning (FR) (09:00-12:00)

 Welcome (FR)

• Speakers: Maxime Moulac & Lucie Meura (Milieu Consulting)
• Greeting and agenda overview
  • Logistics for hybrid participation

Mediation – A Business-Friendly Solution (EN)

• Speaker: Antonella Correra (European Commission, DG GROW)
• Introduction to DG GROW & EISMEA; pilot-project rationale and objectives
  • Impacts of late payments on the European economy and SMEs
  • Role and significance of mediation for the European Commission

Mediation in Belgian Companies – Pilot Project, Findings & Outlook (FR)

• Speakers: Maxime Moulac & Lucie Meura (Milieu Consulting)
• Pilot-project presentation: objectives and activities
  • Specialised training on construction disputes and payment issues (videos & testimonials)
  • Mediation clauses in construction contracts – importance and Milieu-developed clauses
  • Mediation offer for construction professionals
  • Awareness-raising actions on mediation

Discussion (FR)

Coffee break

Mediation in the Construction Sector (FR)

• Presenters: Thomas Braun & Fanny Laune (Simont Braun), Gil Knops (E-Motio Law)
• Case example: step-by-step from first contact to amicable agreement

Discussion (FR)

Panel (FR)

• Panellists: Sylvie Frankignoul (Brussels Business Court – French speaking section, CRA President), Françoise Lewalle (Alterys), Anne Guffens (Valens/Eiffage)
• Moderator: Valentine De Francquen (Apex)
  • Current progress – the slow evolution of mediation in Belgium
  • Future paths for mediation in Belgium

Conclusions & Pilot-Project Wrap-Up (FR)

12:00 – 14:00 : Lunch & Meet-and-Greet (FR/NL/EN)

Afternoon (NL) (14:00-17:00)

Welcome & Introduction (NL)

• Speaker: Véronique Bruggeman (Milieu Consulting)
• Greeting and agenda overview
  • Rules and logistics for the hybrid event

Mediation – A Business-Friendly Solution (EN)

• Speaker: Antonella Correra (European Commission, DG GROW)
  • Introduction to DG GROW & EISMEA; pilot-project rationale and objectives
  • Impacts of late payments on the European economy and SMEs
  • Role and significance of mediation for the European Commission

Mediation in the Construction Sector – Case Study (NL)

• Participants: Roger Ritzen & Peter Heijnen (Construct Mediation), Véronique Bruggeman (Milieu Consulting), Johannes Seel (FBC)
• Mediation case example(s): step-by-step from first contact to amicable agreement

Q&A Session (NL)

Coffee break

Panel (NL)

• Panellists: Jef Lembrechts (Vanhout), Maarten De Voeght (Embuild Antwerp), Erik van Wellen (Maverick Enterprise), Jellen Rasquin (Leuven Commercial Court)
• Moderator: Roger Ritzen (Construct Mediation)
• Progress – the slow evolution of the mediation landscape in Belgium
  • Ideas for the future of mediation in Belgium

Building the Future – Results & Prospects of the Pilot Project on Mediation in Belgian Construction Companies (NL)

• Speaker: Véronique Bruggeman (Milieu Consulting)
  • Specialised training on mediation for the resolution of payment disputes in the construction sector (including videos and testimonials)
  • The importance of mediation clauses in (construction) contracts
  • Providing a mediation pathway in a swift and cost-effective manner
  • Awareness-raising activities on mediation

Conclusions and wrap up

Consult the website of the Federal Mediation Commission for more details on events linked to Mediation Month 2025.

Documents

• Agenda NL
• Agenda FR