Two-day FILS gathering On 26 and 27 May, Howest University of Applied Sciences in Bruges hosted the official launch of the international network of Future Innovation Labs (FILS), part of the RUN-EU alliance. This network connects inspiring learning and maker spaces at each partner university, with the shared aim of introducing children and young people aged 6 to 17 to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) in a creative and accessible way. The RUN-European Stakeholder Engagement Centre (ESEC) Within the RUN-EU alliance, the European Stakeholder Engagement Centre (ESEC) plays a pivotal role in uniting education, innovation, and community engagement. Acting as a dynamic coordination point, ESEC drives forward initiatives that empower young people with the competences, creativity, and mindset required to navigate and shape a rapidly evolving world. These transformative skills equip learners not only to adapt — but to actively create positive change, both locally and globally.Each partner develops its own tailored programme designed to help young people acquire the essential skills they need for the future: understanding technology, solving problems, thinking critically, collaborating, and taking initiative. Entrepreneurship and social innovation are also key components of this approach. In this way, the network contributes to the European ambition of preparing the next generation of citizens for the digital and green transitions, fully aligned with the European Union’s Pact for Skills. At Howest, the European Stakeholder Engagement Centre (ESEC) is rooted in the local context, functioning as an ecosystem that actively connects with every actor in the quintuple helix — from education and industry to civil society, government, and the natural environment.Within this ecosystem, the Mind- and Makerspace serves as Howest’s Future Innovation Lab — a dynamic and inclusive space for learning and innovation. Here, schools, young people, and educators are invited to engage hands-on with technology, creativity, and problem-solving, always in response to real societal challenges.The Mind- and Makerspace is dedicated to fostering transformative competences that enable young people to drive both small- and large-scale change — in their own communities and beyond.This Future Innovation Lab is embedded in Work Package 4 (WP4) of the RUN-EU alliance and, together with RETOS and Entrepreneurship, forms the foundation of Howest’s European Stakeholder Engagement Centre (ESEC). RUN-EU Future Innovation Labs Future Innovation Labs (FILS) target young learners between the ages of 6 and 17, offering engaging, hands-on activities that bring STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) to life. FILS supports the EU's ambitions to boost the number of STEM graduates, foster gender equity in STEM, and better prepare youth for the green and digital transformations ahead.Each RUN-EU partner contribute his own locally embedded initiatives, such as Science and Technology Station (UBU), Taste – Food and Tourism Education (TUS), het Alviela Center for Living Science – Casoscópio (IPLeiria), het Future Innovation Lab (IPCA), de Design Factory (HAMK), het Challenge Lab (NHL Stenden), de MINKT, Inatura Networks (FHV) and de Mind- and Makerspace (Howest).Through this cross-border initiative, RUN-EU reaffirms its belief that education and collaboration are powerful drivers of sustainable progress and renewal in Europe’s regions of the future.Read more SAP Designing Steam activities (Second edition) The Short Advanced Programme (SAP) ‘Designing and implementing STEAM-activities in the future innovation lab of your university (in an extracurricular context) – second edition’ is coördinated by Howest University of Applied Sciences (Howest) and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHL Stenden).This programme is designed to train future facilitators — including students, researchers, educators, and external professionals — to design and implement high-quality STEAM activities for children and young people aged 6 to 18 within the extracurricular setting of the university’s Future Innovation Lab. Participants are not expected to have prior experience with STEAM education or activity design, but they are motivated to become active contributors to the development and implementation of youth programming in their institution’s lab.Sign up for this SAP and become part of the movement toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.Sign up Katrijn Bulckens Contact