International Training Program ‘Roots & Pixels’ Unites Belgian and African Talent Howest breaks gender barriers and crosses borders with Roots & Pixels, a two-week training program bringing together 16 African and Belgian female game developers from 23 March to 3 April 2026 at The Level, Howest’s digital arts campus in Kortrijk. Spots are still available for Belgian candidates. Empowerment, Connection, and Creation Roots & Pixels is a unique initiative with a clear mission: to unite talented women from different continents to learn, create, and build sustainable professional connections. Despite ongoing efforts, the gender gap in the games industry remains significant. Collaboration between European and African game developers also remains rare.Allie Weis, founder of Roots & Pixels, explains: “According to the Game Developers Conference State of the Industry Report, women represent 25% of the global games industry, while in Africa that number is only 12%. This shows how crucial it is to create development opportunities regardless of geographical location or gender.” More Than Entertainment The project is organized in collaboration with Games for Change, a global pioneer in impact-driven games. Leading industry professionals will also host a series of workshops and masterclasses.During the second week, participants will join an international game jam. Teams will develop a game addressing an ethical or socially relevant theme, inspired by their roots and personal backgrounds. “We strongly believe that games are far more powerful than mere entertainment; they can encourage players to reflect on and respond to meaningful themes that extend beyond the screen,” Weis adds. International and Accessible Participants from Kenya and South Africa have already been selected. Some spots remain available for Belgian developers. “We encourage women from Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia to apply. This is a unique opportunity to strengthen your skills and become part of an international network,” says Weis. Belgian candidates can apply until mid-December.Participation is free for all selected women thanks to the support of VAF (Flemish Audiovisual Fund) and VLIRUOS, the organization supporting Flemish higher-education institutions in international cooperation and sustainable development. Howest: thinking outside the box Howest positions itself as innovative and unconventional, something reflected not only in the architecture of its campuses but also in projects like Roots & Pixels. Howest’s bachelor program Digital Arts & Entertainment (DAE) is internationally recognized as a top program. In 2024, DAE won gold for Mobile Games and silver for Game Design at the Rookies Awards, and in 2017, 2018 and 2021, Howest was named the world’s best game school.Roots & Pixels also aligns seamlessly with the ambitions of Howest Academy, which focuses on lifelong learning and offers professionals the opportunity to (re)train in various sectors, from healthcare to Tech & IT. Programs can be followed flexibly—on campus in Kortrijk or Bruges, or online. Upskilling in the games sector? Absolutely—today more than ever.More info and registration