A summer of solidarity and innovation

“WAT, in one sentence, is a 10,000 m² incubator dedicated to European innovation.”

That’s how Charlotte Keup, who leads product, marketing and communication at WAT, introduces the ambitious project. More than just a building, WAT aims to be a hub for Brussels’ tech ecosystem, a space where startups, entrepreneurs, and a vibrant community can grow together, with the long-term goal of reinforcing Europe’s innovation and sovereignty.

Why WAT?

Charlotte explains the conviction at the heart of the initiative:

"There is an enormous ecosystem in Brussels that doesn’t always recognize itself. We wanted to create a place to bring people together under one roof, consolidate this energy, and give it the power to grow at the European level.”

This vision is both pragmatic and ambitious: start with a place, build a community, and let startups flourish inside it.

A building that couldn’t stay empty

Originally, WAT planned to begin construction in 2025, with an official opening in 2027. But the team quickly realized they didn’t want to leave such an iconic building sitting empty until then. Instead, they decided to breathe life into it right away, by opening it up to children.

That’s how the No Code School was born.

The No Code School: two stories in one

Launched in July 2025, the No Code School welcomed children aged 7 to 15 for free summer workshops. The mission was twofold:

• Introduce kids to technology and AI responsibly, helping them move beyond fear and approach these tools with curiosity and critical thinking.
• Offer a lever of social and personal development, giving children an opportunity to discover new skills, express creativity, and maybe even spark vocations.

Every Friday afternoon, the building buzzed with excitement as parents arrived for “demo day.” Children presented their websites, games, or apps live, without slides or notes, before letting parents explore their creations hands-on.

Charlotte recalls:

"It was always a celebration. You could feel the pride, in the children, and in the parents who saw what their kids had managed to achieve in just a few days.”

Relieve's Role: solidarity in action

Launching such a program in just a few weeks was no small feat. The team had committed to making the workshops free, investing heavily in computers and equipment. That left little margin for setting up the classrooms themselves.

This is where Relief stepped in. From a solidarity perspective, Relief donated 50 chairs and 40 desks to WAT for the No Code School.

The impact was twofold:

• It allowed WAT to welcome children in a functional, comfortable, and inspiring space without compromising on free access.
• It reinforced both organizations’ commitment to sustainability: thanks to Relief’s second-life furniture, the setup avoided 4,53 tons of CO₂ compared to buying new.

Charlotte highlights the importance of this support:

"Relieve was our first partner to say yes. Without them, it simply wouldn’t have been possible. And beyond the logistics, it confirmed our approach: responsible, sustainable, and aligned with the values we want to pass on.”

Looking ahead

The No Code School is just the beginning. On September 15, 2025, WAT will open WAT Beta, a first stage in bringing the vision to life. Construction will follow in 2026, with the full opening planned for 2027.

Until then, WAT will continue to animate its community with creative initiatives and partnerships, proof that innovation doesn’t have to wait for the final building to be finished.

The collaboration between WAT and Relieve is a testament to how solidarity and sustainability can empower innovation. By working together, they didn’t just fill an empty building, they created a space where children discovered technology, parents witnessed pride, and a community came together around the promise of a more innovative, responsible Europe.