Stijn Debaillie

Mission Statement

Stijn Debaillie has been a key force at Designregio Kortrijk since 2012, joining initially as a project manager and becoming managing director in 2014. He has played a central role in developing the organisation into a future‑oriented design platform with strong international reach.

He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from Ghent University and a Master in Product Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Antwerp Management School. Before entering the design and innovation field, he gained valuable experience in strategic and innovation‑driven environments at Bekaert and as a public finance advisor at CREAX and MINT Europe / Moore.

Motivated by the intersection of regional development, creativity and innovation, Stijn leads Designregio Kortrijk within a unique multi‑stakeholder partnership. He is known for combining hands‑on management with inclusive leadership, delivering high‑quality programmes with measurable regional impact. A major achievement was supporting Kortrijk’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Design, and from 2020 to 2023 he coordinated the global UNESCO Creative Cities of Design network.

Today, he guides Designregio Kortrijk towards a sustainable hybrid business model, continuing to build bridges between local talent, international networks and societal innovation through design.

For more than a decade, I have worked to strengthen the design ecosystem of Kortrijk and its wider region. Growing Designregio Kortrijk from a local platform into an internationally recognised innovation partner has shown me the value of strong European design networks in creating meaningful impact.

My motivation to join the BEDA Board stems from a belief in collaboration as a driver of transformation. International networks have brought fresh perspectives, partnerships and opportunities to our work, and I would like to give that value back by helping to expand BEDA’s reach, relevance and influence across Europe.

Building on my experience coordinating the UNESCO Creative Cities of Design network (2020–2023), I aim to connect organisations at local, regional and national levels, foster cross‑border collaboration and share best practices. I am also keen to strengthen design’s role in European policy, highlighting its contribution to inclusive, human‑centred solutions for the digital, green and societal transitions ahead.

Finally, I bring hands‑on experience in leading and professionalising a design organisation and would be glad to support BEDA in strengthening its governance, processes and long‑term impact.