Mediawijs

What Mediawijs does

Mediawijs is the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy (het Vlaams Kenniscentrum voor Digitale en Mediawijsheid), founded in 2013 and operated under the legal entity IMEC vzw (Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum) from its headquarters at Kapeldreef 75, Leuven, Belgium. Its mission is to help residents of Flanders and Brussels engage actively, critically, and consciously with digital technology and media. It serves a defined set of professional and community audiences — educators, youth workers, librarians, local government staff, professionals working with the elderly, and parents/families — by producing educational frameworks, assessment tools, training curricula, lesson packages, video series, and research outputs. Core proprietary assets include the Mediawijs Competentiemodel (a 2-cluster, 8-sub-competency, 5-goal framework adopted as the working translation of the Flemish Government's media-literacy definition), the Leerlijn Mediawijsheid (a kindergarten-to-grade-9 learning trajectory), the Mediaprofieltest and 10 mediaprofielen (an individual/group profiling instrument), and sub-brands MediaNest (parents) and De Schaal van M (children aged 10–12).

Underlying technology is primarily content and curriculum infrastructure rather than software: a portfolio of websites (mediawijs.be, medianest.be, deschaalvanm.be, mediawijsmateriaal.be), downloadable workbooks, Airtable-based registration, Vimeo-hosted video, and a YouTube channel. There is no disclosed API, SDK, or developer-facing platform.

Mediawijs operates as a publicly funded non-profit. The Flemish Government (Vlaamse overheid) provides its institutional mandate and core funding, supplemented by European sources including Erasmus+, Connecting Europe Facility, and the European Media and Information Fund (EMIF). Most resources are free; revenue-generating activities are narrow — the Mediacoach professional training program (€390 for the 2026–2027 cycle of 7 in-person + 3 online sessions in Ghent) and a webshop for physical educational materials. Distribution is multi-channel: events (Digitale Week, Mediawijs Congres, inspiration days), newsletters, organic social (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest), a podcast (Missie Mediawijs), and partner-cascaded outreach through schools, libraries, youth organizations, and municipal governments.

Name

Mediawijs

Legal name

IMEC vzw (Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum)

Website

https://mediawijs.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mediawijs is the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy, operated under imec vzw since 2013. It builds competency frameworks, learning trajectories, assessment tools, and training programs that help educators, youth workers, librarians, local governments, and parents in Flanders and Brussels build media literacy capacity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital and Media Literacy Education

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Development & Teacher Training Media (EDAGALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH), Open Multimedia OER (video, audio, podcasts, animations) (EDAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Digital media literacy
• Media education resources
• Competency frameworks
• Youth media programs
• Media literacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding via imec: Mediawijs is the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy, operated by imec vzw. As a government-supported initiative, the organization is primarily funded through public funding rather than commercial revenue. Their services, tools, and resources are largely offered free of charge to end users.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mediawijs is the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy, developing and distributing educational frameworks, competency models, assessment tools, training programs, and resources to promote digital and media literacy across Flanders and Brussels. The organization operates through a central platform (mediawijs.be), sub-brands targeting specific audiences (De Schaal van M for children, MediaNest for parents), and a professional certification program (Mediacoach) for educators, youth workers, and librarians. Its offerings are largely free, with select paid training programs for professional development.

Product overview

Mediawijs is the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy, operated by imec vzw. Its offering is a platform-plus-portfolio model: the core platform at Mediawijs.be serves as the central hub aggregating information, tools, and resources for professionals, educators, and volunteers. This platform is complemented by distinct sub-brands and programs: De Schaal van M targets primary school children (10-12 years) with lesson materials and workbooks; MediaNest serves parents and families with parenting tools like Screentje dealtje; the Mediacoach Opleiding provides professional certification training for educators and youth workers; and specialized tools like the Leerlijn Mediawijsheid (learning trajectory), Mediaprofieltest (media profile assessment), and the Mediawijs Competentiemodel (competency framework) serve as standalone resources. Additional offerings include the Digiwatte? video series for digital inclusion, various educational packages (Lespakket Online Invloeden), policy tools for local governments, and the Mediawijs Awards program. The portfolio is delivered through websites, downloadable materials, video content (including a YouTube channel), podcasts, and in-person training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MediaNest: Platform offering tools for parents to discuss media use with their children, including resources about screen time, online privacy, and media education for families.
• De Schaal van M
• Mediacoach

Products and services

• Mediawijs.be The primary website of Mediawijs serving as the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy. It aggregates information and materials for professionals and volunteers who help residents of Flanders and Brussels actively, creatively, critically, and consciously engage with digital technology and media.
• De Schaal van M A sub-brand targeting children (10-12 years) with media literacy lessons and resources for primary school students. Offers lesson series like 'Slim op het internet' and the (Mega)Mediawijs Werkboek for different primary school grades.
• MediaNest A sub-brand focused on parents and families, providing tools and resources for media parenting and family media agreements. Includes the Screentje dealtje game and resources about children's media use.
• Mediaprofieltest A profile test that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete anonymously. Users answer questions and statements to discover how they use digital media, how quickly they learn new applications, and how media-wise they are. Available for individuals and groups, with group results viewable by facilitators.
• 10 Mediaprofielen A framework of 10 media profiles (media animals) that help organizations understand how their target audiences relate to digital media. Profiles include digital squirrel, badger, wild boar, fox, cat, rabbit, roe deer, hedgehog, bear, and wolf, each representing different attitudes and behaviors toward digital technology.
• Mediawijs Competentiemodel A competency model that translates the Flemish Government's definition of media literacy into a concrete working instrument. It consists of 2 competence clusters (media use and media understanding) and 5 media goals (informing, interacting, creating, amusing, and defending).
• Leerlijn Mediawijsheid A practical framework for media literacy education covering kindergarten through third grade secondary education. It helps teachers and school teams integrate media literacy into their lessons and policy by providing age-appropriate learning objectives based on the Mediawijs Competentiemodel.
• Mediacoach Opleiding Professional development training for educators, youth workers, library staff, and care professionals working with children and youth. The program deepens knowledge of the digital world of young people, strengthens coaching skills, and results in participants developing a media literacy project within their organization.
• Digiwatte? Videoreeks A video series hosted by Bart and Kim explaining various digital applications step-by-step for digital helpers and digital starters. Topics include paying with smartphone, online banking, apps, online identification, TV watching, transport, work, health, and government services.
• Beleidstool Digitale Inclusie - Lokale Besturen A policy tool for local governments to develop vision and policy on digital inclusion. It consists of a manual, building blocks organized in five categories (governance role, access, competencies, support networks, and services and communication), a floor plan, and a digital inclusion matrix.
• Lespakket Online Invloeden An educational package for second and third grade secondary education students about online influence, social media algorithms, online subcultures, and how to consciously handle what they see, share, and experience online.
• Screentje dealtje A family game where parents and children make agreements about screen use at home. The game contains 17 statements about screen use covering where and when screens are okay, what to share about each other, whether rules are the same for everyone, and agreements about screen time.
• Mediawijs Awards An annual award program recognizing organizations and projects that make a significant contribution to media literacy in Flanders and Brussels.
• (Mega)Mediawijs Werkboek Workbooks for primary school students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade) containing fill-in exercises and hands-on assignments covering topics like social media, online safety, cyberbullying, digital footprint, gaming, fake news, and artificial intelligence.
• Missie Mediawijs Podcast A podcast series featuring inspiring stories from key figures in various sectors about media literacy practices. The series contains 8 episodes of approximately 25 minutes each, offering practical examples, personal insights, and valuable tips from the field.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ImeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImec vzw is the parent organization operating Mediawijs as the Flemish Knowledge Center for Digital and Media Literacy. Imec provides institutional backing, infrastructure, and administrative support.
• MeemoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the development of the Lespakket online invloeden (Online Influences educational package).
• PimentominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Lespakket online invloeden educational package development.
• WatWatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Lespakket online invloeden educational package development.
• VRTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Lespakket online invloeden educational package.
• MoveMenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Lespakket online invloeden educational package.
• DjapominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Lespakket online invloeden educational package.
• TextgainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Lespakket online invloeden educational package.
• NetflixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on educational materials developed in connection with the Netflix series Adolescence.
• VISAVIS Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration including imec-SMIT-VUB, CERTH, Filmpedagogerna, and Universiteit Twente, financed by the European Media and Information Fund (EMIF). Developed image verification resources.
• VVSGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the Beleidstool digitale inclusie (Digital Inclusion Policy Tool) for local governments.
• District09minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the Beleidstool digitale inclusie for local governments.
• Mediawijzer.net (Netherlands)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to the development of the Mediawijs Competentiemodel through expert consultation.
• Thomas More HogeschoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner contributing to the Leerlijn Mediawijze Leraren development.
• ArteveldehogeschoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner contributing to the Leerlijn Mediawijze Leraren development.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning): UK charity providing online safety education, resources, and training to schools; comparable as a publicly-aligned organization delivering media/digital literacy training and policy tools to educators.
• Internet Matters: UK nonprofit helping parents and professionals keep children safe online; comparable in mission focus on online safety education for families, schools, and vulnerable populations, with similar resource/tool portfolio.
• Netwerk Mediawijsheid / Mediawijzer.net: Dutch national network for media literacy, structurally and mission-wise the closest analogue to Mediawijs; both are publicly funded knowledge centers developing competency frameworks, training programs, and educational resources for educators and citizens in their respective regions.
• MediaSmarts: Canadian center for digital and media literacy, comparable in mission to develop media literacy programs, teacher resources, and policy tools for educators, parents, and youth across a national/regional jurisdiction.
• Common Sense Media: US-based nonprofit producing media literacy content, parent resources, and education curricula for schools; directly comparable in offering age-appropriate resources (workbooks, lessons, family tools) and serving educators, parents, and children.
• Kennisnet: Dutch public organization supporting education with ICT and digital literacy resources for schools; comparable in serving Flemish/Dutch-speaking education sector with curriculum-linked tools and teacher professional development.
• Saferinternet.at: Austrian internet safety initiative providing educational materials, teacher training, and youth programs on online safety and media competence; structurally similar as a publicly-supported national hub for media literacy.

Others

• European Schoolnet: Pan-European network of education ministries coordinating digital education initiatives including media literacy; comparable as a co-development and policy partner in EU-funded media literacy projects, though broader in education scope.
• Better Internet for Kids (BIK) / Insafe: European Commission-coordinated network of Safer Internet Centers that delivers media literacy training and resources across EU member states; comparable as a parallel pan-European media literacy ecosystem with shared funding sources (EU).

Regional players

• eSafety Commissioner (Australia): Australian government agency providing online safety education, training, and resources; comparable in mission and public-sector structure, though operating in a different geography with regulator-style authority rather than knowledge-center framing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MediaWijsBe
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Mediawijsbe
• Facebookfacebook.com/Mediawijs.be
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mediawijs
• Instagraminstagram.com/mediawijsbe
• Pinterestpinterest.com/mediawijstools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mediawijs