Written by The mAkE Impact Stories report captures how the mAkE project has empowered makers, startups, policymakers, and organizations across Africa and Europe. By fostering collaboration between Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) and makerspaces, the project created a platform for innovation, skill development, and sustainable growth.
This report goes beyond quantitative data to showcase personal experiences that illustrate the project’s real-world impact. From the development of the Open Catalog of Business Models to the implementation of the Makers in Residency program (MiR24), mAkE has strengthened networks, provided practical resources, and inspired communities to address shared challenges. The stories presented here highlight the tangible results of these efforts, offering a deeper understanding of how mAkE has contributed to the global maker movement.
Business Model Catalogues
Introduction to Stakeholder: Anna is a key contributor to the mAkE project, focusing on bringing attention to sustainable business models for makerspaces, an often-overlooked area critical for their success.
Description of the Impact: Anna led a series of community calls, in collaboration with GIG, where successful speakers were identified to share their insights on business models. Each session provided real-world examples that helped makerspaces and startups understand how to structure their operations. Participants, including Gertrude, found these calls eye-opening and beneficial in shaping their approaches to business. The content of these calls has since been turned into a valuable playlist, used not only by the participants but also in mentoring programs such as the Innovative Manufacturing in Africa Mentoring Program.
In addition, Anna has received feedback from attendees expressing how the calls opened their minds to new possibilities and how useful the documented content has been for reference. The playlist continues to serve as a key resource for fostering innovation, with future initiatives being explored through partnerships like Local Economies.
Future Collaboration: Anna is eager to continue collaborating with GIG, and she has discussed the potential for launching a podcast series that delves into specific business model topics in greater depth. While she is willing to contribute on an unfunded basis, she noted that a more distributed workload across the team could make future projects more feasible.
Makers in Residency Program (MiR24)
Vulca
Since 2014, Vulca has been connecting and strengthening the European maker movement by activating and interlinking makerspaces, fab labs, and hackerspaces. Their work focuses on fostering collaboration and maker mobility to address local challenges, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through extensive field research, Vulca has built a wide network and influenced policy, including the European Commission’s DG EAC Makers Mobility Pilot Project.
Vulca x GIG Partnership: The partnership between the Global Innovation Gathering and Vulca highlights the synergy between grassroots innovation and maker mobility. As part of the mAkE project, GIG and Vulca collaborated to develop the Makers in Residency (MiR24) program, connecting African makers with European makerspaces in the Vulca network. Through GIG’s extensive network and Vulca’s expertise in maker mobility, this initiative fostered meaningful cross-continental exchanges and strengthened ties within the global maker community.
Description of the Impact on Makerspaces (Vulca Members): Vulca members Matthieu and Olivier alongside Vulca representative Alex shared the transformative potential of makerspaces through their experiences in the Makers in Residency (MiR24) program. Matthieu shared how his Fab Lab in France, established in a former military base, collaborated with Witness from Tanzania on redesigning a cooking machine, illustrating the hands-on innovation possible in makerspaces. Olivier reflected on the cultural exchange facilitated within his smaller fab lab, highlighting how these spaces serve as hubs for both technical and intercultural growth. Alex emphasized Vulca’s mission to strengthen connections between European makerspaces and foster collaboration across regions.
Their shared experiences underscored the role of makerspaces as dynamic environments where ideas, skills, and cultures intersect, inspiring further connectivity and innovation within the global maker community.
Description of the Impact on Makers (GIG Members)
Asem Kamal: Asem, a maker from Egypt, joined the mAkE x GIG Makers in Residency program in southern France at the La bricothèque fab lab, where he focused on integrating Arduino and coding into his woodworking projects. His main task was creating a smart wall calendar using LEDs, a new and challenging area for him. Asem found the experience of working with this technology rewarding, despite difficulties with coding and language barriers in the non-English-speaking town where he was based. He received substantial support from the fab lab community, which made the learning process smoother. Throughout his residency, Asem not only improved his technical skills but also embraced the welcoming atmosphere and collaborative spirit of the makerspace. The experience significantly expanded his knowledge, which he plans to incorporate into his future projects back home.
Witness Shangali: Witness, a maker from Tanzania, took part in the mAkE x GIG Makers in Residency program at the EcoCentre in France. Her project, called Duali Maker, focused on designing a machine to cook a local staple food more efficiently for schools, addressing the challenge of limited cooking resources. Despite language barriers and working with incomplete prototypes, Witness used the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with advanced machinery, such as a MIG welding machine, and learned to use a computer for design work, which was entirely new to her. Although time management and the learning curve with new technology were challenging, she greatly appreciated the support of the fab lab team and the opportunity to acquire new skills. Witness emphasized the importance of using local materials and building relationships within the maker community, which she believes will be beneficial when applying her knowledge back in Tanzania.
Leo Shayo: Leonard, a maker from Tanzania, participated in the mAkE x GIG Makers in Residency program at Fab Lab Barcelona in Spain. During his residency, he focused on developing a nano-satellite prototype to inspire STEM education and innovation in Africa. The program provided Leonard with access to advanced technology and tools, such as 3D printers and CNC machines, which he used to refine his project. Despite facing challenges in adapting to new equipment and processes, Leonard’s determination and enthusiasm fueled his progress. The collaborative environment at Fab Lab Barcelona allowed him to expand his technical skills and build valuable relationships within the global maker community. Leonard plans to implement his project in Tanzania, leveraging his residency experience to inspire local youth and further develop his startup, Olspace.
Martine (Tinah) Basaninyange: Martine, a maker from Rwanda, participated in the mAkE x GIG Makers in Residency program at the Liege_ Hackerspace in Belgium, where she developed a recycling machine to transform plastic bottle waste into filament for 3D printers. Her project aimed to create an affordable solution for startups, creators, and students facing high filament costs. Throughout her residency, Martine attended workshops in Berlin and gained inspiration from other maker projects and innovative design methods. Although she encountered challenges, such as adjusting filament extrusion temperatures and managing the technical aspects of the project, she received continuous support from the hacker space community. Martine expressed excitement about the potential of her project and plans to implement it in her home country, collaborating with local innovators. Her residency experience solidified her belief in the power of knowledge exchange and hands-on learning.
Future Collaboration: Looking ahead, GIG and Vulca aim to deepen their collaboration by initiating South-South residency programs and encouraging European makers to travel to Africa. This vision promises enriched cultural exchange, broadened perspectives, and enhanced opportunities for innovation. Both organizations are also exploring joint fundraising opportunities to sustain and expand their shared mission of fostering global maker collaboration.
Conclusion
The mAkE project has successfully connected makers, startups, organizations, and policymakers across Africa and Europe. Through the Open Catalog of Business Models, the project provided valuable resources that supported makerspaces in developing sustainable practices. The Makers in Residency program further strengthened collaboration by fostering knowledge exchange and skill development between African and European makerspaces.
By engaging diverse stakeholders and addressing shared challenges, mAkE created opportunities for growth and innovation within the maker community. GIG is proud to have played a role in facilitating this work and remains committed to supporting initiatives that drive meaningful impact and build stronger global networks.
To learn more about the mAkE Project Outcomes, take a look at the Project Resources.
