In 2023, our support teams played a key role in the success of a number of projects and in improving the quality of the services we offer. Here are some key initiatives and achievements.
Public procurement contracts
200 public procurement contracts awarded for a total of €40,913,749.68
This year, we awarded a total of 200 public procurement contracts, covering a range of procedures and meeting the growing needs of the City of Brussels. These contracts for IT supplies and services will ensure the implementation of strategic projects for the City's digital transformation, as well as the systematisation of processes. These contracts also support the City's public education system and the libraries of the Brussels Region, providing them with new digital tools to meet user expectations. i-CITY also concluded contracts for the ASBL's own needs, to ensure its smooth running. In 2023, contracts were awarded for HR requirements such as employee training, a contract for the appointment of law firms to provide specialised legal advice, etc.
In addition, to improve its procurement processes, i-CITY launched a purchasing professionalisation project - in parallel with the City of Brussels - to further optimise its missions.
Since 2023, all i-CITY contracts over €175,000 have been subject to approval by the Brussels Capital Region.
Focus on a few highlights :
Contract for the replacement of the City of Brussels' IT equipment
In 2023, i-CITY set up a contract to supply computers, PCs and laptops to cover all the City's needs. Approximately 2,000 PCs and laptops are provided each year. This contract required a number of training courses and workshops to ensure a successful transition, given the change of supplier. In addition, a series of contracts to supply a variety of equipment, including standard office screens, reinforced screens, small IT equipment (headsets, hard disks, smartphones, tablets, cables), and scanners for the population service were awarded and implemented.
This equipment is essential for modernising the IT infrastructure and improving the efficiency of administrative departments and their day-to-day work.
Contract for the higher education establishments of the Public Education Department of the City of Brussels - GESTAC software
Following the discontinuation of the solution implemented by the previous contractor during the course of the contract, a new contract was concluded and awarded to UMONS for the development of a software package to manage studies from admission to graduation (GESTAC). This portal enables all those involved in student life - teachers, administrators and students - to manage documents, timetables, online courses and programmes via the platform. This solution, initially developed for the University of Mons' own needs, has now been extended to meet the needs of the City's schools.
Collaboration with social reintegration non-profit organisations: building skills for technological transformation
A contract worth €200,000 was awarded to establish partnerships with social reintegration NPOs, to support the technological transformation of the City, Public Education (PE) and the City's NPOs.
This contract aims to train IT developers and testers through advanced training programmes, responding to the growing need for technological skills and promoting social inclusion.
End-to-End Monitoring contract to optimise the user experience
This contract, awarded in 2023, is for the acquisition of monitoring tools in Managed Services mode to monitor the digital experience of users, including response times, the availability of IT applications and the operation of workstations.
The contract encompasses Synthetic Transaction Monitoring (STM), which simulates user actions to check quality of service, and Real User Monitoring (RUM), which collects real data on user interactions with applications. This contract makes it possible to evaluate and optimise the operation of the many applications used by the City.
Naturally, Green IT principles are applied when drawing up public procurement contracts to encourage responsible, sustainable purchasing while respecting competition rules. These principles are implemented in a variety of ways depending on the type of procurement, whether in the technical requirements or the award criteria. A number of responsible action clauses are included in public procurement contracts, such as packaging management, the promotion of social or technical labels, energy consumption and extended warranties and the availability of replacement parts over ten years, all of which make a positive contribution to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Human Resources
Workforce and diversity
In 2023, i-CITY had 174 employees - 41 women (24%) and 133 men (76%). This increase in headcount enables us to meet the organisation's growing needs and improve our ability to deliver quality services.
Recruitment and turnover
37 new employees were hired in 2023 and the turnover rate fell from 15.32% to 12.17%. This significant drop in turnover reflects our work to improve talent retention in a competitive sector.
Skills development
The training budget invested in 2023 amounted to €110,410, up on the previous year. This increase reflects our commitment to investing in the professional development of our employees. Training courses covered a variety of areas, including technical skills, project management and well-being at work.
Key statistics
- Age pyramid: a balanced distribution of ages among our employees, promoting a diverse range of perspectives.
- Analysis of recruitment and turnover: an "applicant/recruited employee" conversion rate of 4% and an "interview/recruitment" rate of 37%, demonstrating a thorough and effective selection process.
HR initiatives
Several initiatives were put in place in 2023:
- Optimisation of the HR budget: Budget monitoring to provide operational responses.
- Attractiveness of the employer brand: Enhanced training and recruitment processes.
- Upgrading skills: Launch of a diversified training catalogue to meet employee needs.
Internal communication and corporate culture
2023 saw initiatives to strengthen internal communication and promote an inclusive, collaborative corporate culture. We stepped up our presence on social networks and organised events to cultivate the "one team" spirit.
Communication
Communication at i-CITY intensified in 2023, with several key initiatives.
Brucity communication
Facilitating the transition with information campaigns and guides.
Video content
Production of videos on a range of subjects to inform and engage.
Proximity with City of Brussels colleagues
Strengthening collaboration.
Social networks
Increased presence on LinkedIn to improve employer branding.
Fun and sociability
Regular activities and meetings to encourage cohesion.
Speakers' Corner and Connected Middays
Events to share knowledge and stimulate enriching discussions.
Employer branding strategy
A strong employer branding strategy was put in place in 2023 to attract and retain talent, highlighting our values and career opportunities.
Governance and legal aspects
General Assembly
The i-CITY General Meeting, comprising all full members, met twice in 2023. It included representatives of the City of Brussels, the Brussels PCSW and the Brussels Capital Region, as well as persons appointed by the Municipal Council.
Composition of the General Meeting in 2023:
- City of Brussels: Mr Dirk Leonard
- Alderman for the Smart City: Mr Fabian Maingain
- Brussels PCSW: Ms Rita Glineur
- Brussels Capital Region: Mr Nicolas Locoge
- Municipal Council representatives: Ms Saïda Bakkali, Ms Eline Chivot (from April to October 2023), Mr Dominique De Backer, Mr Cellou Satina Diallo, Mr Thomas Doesselaere (from May 2023), Mr José Hoorens, Mr Erik Hulsbosch, Ms Dounia Mohammadi (from January to April), Mr Gérard Mugemangango, Ms Nastassia Daumas, Mr Didier Wauters.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors met 14 times in 2023. It is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the organisation.
Composition of the Board of Directors in 2023:
- City of Brussels: Mr Dirk Leonard
- Chair of the Board of Directors: Mr Fabian Maingain
- Brussels PCSW: Ms Rita Glineur
- Brussels Capital Region: Mr Nicolas Locoge
- Municipal Council representatives: Ms Saïda Bakkali, Ms Eline Chivot (from April to October 2023), Mr Dominique De Backer, Mr Cellou Satina Diallo, Mr Thomas Doesselaere (from May 2023), Mr José Hoorens, Mr Erik Hulsbosch, Ms Dounia Mohammadi (from January to April), Mr Gérard Mugemangango, Ms Nastassia Daumas.
Day-to-day management
The Management Committee has delegated the day-to-day management of the organisation to General Manager Mary-Odile Lognard. The Executive Committee (ComEx) meets every two weeks and is composed of the General Manager and the Directors, assisted by the Corporate Governance Advisor.
Specialised committees
The Board of Directors set up several committees to ensure efficient management:
- Appointment and Remuneration Committee: proposes rules for the remuneration, appointment and assessment of Executive Committee members. This committee did not meet in 2023.
- Internal Audit Committee: responsible for budgetary, financial and risk control matters. Composed of Ms Saïda Bakkali (Chair), Ms Rita Glineur, Mr Fabian Maingain, Ms Eline Chivot. This Committee met once in 2023.
- Management Contract Monitoring Committee: the City of Brussels and i-CITY are bound by a Management Contract, drawn up in 2019 and covering the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025. The Monitoring Committee is responsible for monitoring the commitments and obligations arising from this contract, as well as its final evaluation. This committee is made up of members of the i-CITY ComEx, the Mayor or their representative and two representatives of the City Management Committee. This Committee met twice in 2023.
The mid-term evaluation of the Management Contract took place in May 2023 and the results were presented to the Management Contract Monitoring Committee in July 2023.
The conclusions of this mid-term evaluation can be summarised as follows:- both parties were satisfied with the collaboration
- the set of 41 reporting indicators should be slightly streamlined, as should the reporting frequency, which has been reduced from four to two times a year.
- I-CITY could further enhance its role as a technology consultant (e.g. artificial intelligence, IoT).
- the choice of standard solutions needs to be reinforced and clearly communicated to all parties concerned, as the choice of these solutions, which implies optimisation, is regularly called into question.
- both parties were satisfied with the collaboration
Social Dialogue, Works Councils and Workplace Prevention and Protection Committee
The Works Council (WC) and the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work (CPPW) meet once a month to discuss issues relating to human resources and working conditions.
2023 saw the creation of a Trade Union Delegation within the NPO.
The Works Council is informed and consulted on socio-economic issues. The CPPW is informed & consulted on matters relating to labour protection. These two bodies are elected every four years. The organisation of the May 2024 social elections began at the end of 2023. The TUD is a non-elected body whose role is to negotiate company agreements.
In 2023, two company agreements were signed concerning regular teleworking and the purchasing power bonus.