Building Europe's Inclusive Tech Future
by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
Empowering youth and communities through accessible, inclusive and job-oriented digital education — from Brussels to Amsterdam to Padova, and now Roubaix.
Positive Outcome Rate
Open Curricula
Hackathons
Staff Exchanges
Erasmus +
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
Europe's digital transformation offers opportunity but also exposes inequalities. Many Europeans remain excluded from the digital economy because of limited access, guidance or confidence. MolenGeek International, funded under Erasmus+ KA220‑VET, set out to address this challenge by scaling and transferring the MolenGeek model — a proven ecosystem where anyone can learn tech, find work and build a career. The mission was ambitious: share MolenGeek's vocational training methods with European partners, empower trainers through peer learning, and publish open resources to allow replication in any city.
Our Consortium Partners
The consortium united these four organizations through Four Work Packages that structured the collaboration: management/quality, curricula transfer, peer learning, and dissemination. Over two years, they achieved remarkable results and the project's most striking success is the opening of a first replicated hub in France, proving the model's scalability.
Goal Setting
The road and back again your heart has oure a pal and anfis confidant.
Goal Setting
The road and back again your heart has oure a pal and anfis confidant.
Our Journey — Two Years of Shared Growth
Launch & Foundation
When MolenGeek International launched in 2023, partners knew they were embarking on an uncharted path. They began by sharing their respective expertise: MolenGeek brought its experience with intensive coding bootcamps and community management, TechGrounds shared its innovative "Pathways" orientation model, and TechStation contributed its participatory workshops on augmented reality and blockchain fundamentals. During the first months, the consortium aligned curricula and defined a joint governance framework. In spring 2023, trainers and project managers met in Amsterdam for the first staff exchange, observing classes, running joint sessions and identifying adaptations needed for the Dutch context. In autumn 2023, Padova hosted the first transnational hackathon on digital inclusion for youth. Eighty participants from Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands formed multicultural teams to design solutions for local NGOs. The event tested the newly co-developed hackathon toolkit and built confidence in the model's replicability.
Acceleration & Growth
Throughout 2024, the partnership accelerated. The web development curriculum was updated with React, Git workflows and Agile project management. Coaches co-taught across cities; staff exchanges deepened trust and skill-sharing. Amsterdam's 2024 hackathon celebrated women in tech, uniting 60 participants from four countries and underscoring the project's commitment to gender inclusion.
Consolidation & Celebration
The year 2025 marked consolidation and celebration. In February, the first joint cohorts graduated from cloud and Salesforce programmes. In Brussels, the AI for Impact hackathon showcased projects tackling transport accessibility, mental health and environmental awareness. June saw the International Geek Summit, where the consortium presented the 120‑page MolenGeek International Handbook and announced a new hub in France. By October 2025, the journey culminated with the inauguration of MolenGeek Roubaix, demonstrating that the transfer was not only successful but rapid and effective.
Extension to France — Roubaix Hub (2025)
First French Success
The first hub born directly from Erasmus+ collaboration, proving rapid and effective model transfer.
When MolenGeek International began, the goal was to build a model that could be replicated across Europe. In June 2025, this ambition materialised with the opening of MolenGeek Roubaix, the first French hub born directly from the Erasmus+ collaboration. Roubaix, known for its diversity and creativity, became fertile ground for inclusion. Within six months, the local team established MolenGeek France, delivered short workshops (Generative AI, social media, marketing), launched long-program selections (Web Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis) and organised the first French hackathon, "Weekend Startup – Roubaix," from 17 to 19 October 2025. The first cohort of participants, aged 18 to 45 (with 80% over 35), are already following adapted training programmes created in Brussels and refined locally.
Programs Launched
- Short workshops: Generative AI, Social Media, Marketing
- Long programs: Web Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis
- First hackathon: "Weekend Startup – Roubaix" (Oct 17-19, 2025)
Key Partnerships
- City of Roubaix: Support and facilities
- OVHcloud: Mentors, cloud infrastructure and sponsorship
- Maison de l'Initiative et de l'Emploi (MIE): Candidate orientation and job placement coordination
- Local associations: Participant mobilisation and inclusion support
Participants trained by October 2025
Gender parity achieved
Participants over 35 years old
Hackathon prototypes incubated
By October 2025, more than 70 participants had been trained, gender parity achieved and three hackathon prototypes incubated. The hub already inspires other cities across Europe to join this network of inclusive tech ecosystems.
Toolbox / Resources & Outputs
The MolenGeek International Toolbox offers everything produced over two years. At its heart is the 120‑page MolenGeek International Handbook, detailing strategy, governance, pedagogy, mentorship, impact measurement and sustainability. Six full curricula — Web Development, AWS Cloud, Cybersecurity, Salesforce Administration, Digital Marketing and AI Foundations — are available as modular templates, each with learning outcomes, evaluation rubrics and recommended durations. Complementary guidelines cover active learning, mentoring, inclusion and job readiness. Peer-learning reports document staff exchanges across Amsterdam, Padova and Brussels. Slides, visuals and templates remain open-source. Web Development Full-stack development curriculum with modern frameworks and inclusive teaching methods.
Salesforce Administration
Events & Activities
Between 2023 and 2025, the consortium organised three transnational hackathons: Digital Inclusion for Youth in Padova (2023), Women in Tech in Amsterdam (2024) and AI for Impact in Brussels (2025), culminating in the International Geek Summit. These events provided safe, creative spaces where learners, mentors and employers could co-create solutions and build networks. Locally, dozens of workshops and bootcamps ran continuously to expand access to tech learning in each partner city.
Digital Inclusion for Youth
80 participants from Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands formed multicultural teams to design solutions for local NGOs.
Women in Tech
60 participants from four countries celebrated gender inclusion and collaborative innovation in technology.
AI for Impact
Projects tackling transport accessibility, mental health and environmental awareness using artificial intelligence.
International Geek Summit
The culminating event where the consortium presented the 120‑page MolenGeek International Handbook and announced the new hub in France.
Impact & Results
The project's legacy is measurable and personal. Over 1,200 learners were trained across three countries. Seven programmes were implemented, three hackathons and one summit delivered, and a 92% positive outcome rate achieved. Behind each number lies a story — Hind from Brussels went from retail to web development; Soraya from Amsterdam turned the Pathways route into a cloud career; Giulio from Padova converted a hackathon idea into a freelance business.
| Indicator | Result | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiaries | 1.200+ | Participants trained across Belgium, Netherlands & Italy |
| Programmes | 7 | Web, Cloud, Cyber, Marketing, Salesforce, AI, etc. |
| Hackathons | 3 | Padova 2023, Amsterdam 2024, Brussels 2025 |
| Positive Outcomes | 92% | Employment, internships or further study |
Success Stories
Hind
Transitioned from retail to web development through MolenGeek's intensive bootcamp program.
Soraya
Used TechGrounds' Pathways orientation model to launch a successful cloud computing career.
Learners Trained Across Belgium, Netherlands & Italy
Countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, France
Success Rate Employment, internships or further study
Toolbox / Resources & Outputs
Au programme
À ne pas manquer
Consolidation & Celebration
The year 2025 marked consolidation and celebration. In February, the first joint cohorts graduated from cloud and Salesforce programmes. In Brussels, the AI for Impact hackathon showcased projects tackling transport accessibility, mental health and environmental awareness. June saw the International Geek Summit, where the consortium presented the 120‑page MolenGeek International Handbook and announced a new hub in France. By October 2025, the journey culminated with the inauguration of MolenGeek Roubaix, demonstrating that the transfer was not only successful but rapid and effective.
| Indicators | Results | Description |
|---|---|---|
Beneficiaries | 1200+ | Participants trained across Belgium, Netherlands & Italy |
Programmes | 7 | Web, Cloud, Cyber, Marketing, Salesforce, AI, etc. |
Hackathons | 3 | Padova 2023, Amsterdam 2024, Brussels 2025 |
Positive Outcomes | 92% | Employment, internships or further study |