To mark the start of Belgium’s six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and celebrate Europe, the Flanders region is organising a festival in Mechelen on 6 January 2024.

EU-funded projects from REACT-EU will be on display to show how EU funding is driving Flanders’ innovation forward and transforming daily lives. Examples include Little Nirvana, an extended reality system using a hologram to help children handle pain and anxiety in medical treatment or dentist visits, and a project dedicated to developing future skills.

A virtual reality experience will also take visitors on a journey to visit various EU-funded projects in Flanders: a bicycle bridge in Limburg, smart fruit sorting machines, digital applications for fishermen, and systems that guide vulnerable people to work.

This will be the opportunity to discover how the Flanders region is harnessing ESF+ funding to prepare the workforce for the future, using skills forecasting techniques and training partnerships.

If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to visit the Lamot convention centre in Mechelen on 6 January. A photo exhibition and a series of stands will be open from 14h to 18h30.

The rest of the day will feature dance, poetry, comedy, street entertainment, and much more. Make the most of it by exploring the full programme.

The event is free, though for some performances and lectures a reservation may be necessary.