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There could not be identified improvements in the participation of women in ICT sector in Malta
from quantitative point of view, from starting of the project until present moment, but, for sure, a
positive impact of the programme on women, either students or already employed, could be

evaluated. Also, women organizations started initiating similar projects and informational events to
support learning and continuous development within the digital sector.

This project increased awareness among players on the ICT and education sector about the topic
and raised their involvement in similar activities that will improve women participation in this area.
Finally, the programme serves as good practice for different stakeholders in Malta, to further
implement similar initiatives independently or within the EU Action Plan.

5.30 THE NETHERLANDS

Katapult Network

Katapult.eu – started in 2013 – the project was initiated by the Dutch National STEM Platform
(PTvT), the same organisation that implemented also the National Technology Pact. Katapult is a
entity developed at national level that facilitates the creation of different public-private
partnerships (450 from the beginning of the project) in the education and vocational training
sectors.

The aim of the project is to improve the cooperation between the business and the education
sectors and create a pathway between the skills students develop during university and the skills
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required on the labour market. Katapult is made of a network of educational centres that train
future professional, facilitating interactions among learners, trainers and business representatives
that will lead to fruitful collaborations.

Why is relevant for adult educators and adult education centers?

Why this case study is a success / best practice?

Katapult is a nation-wide network for public-private partnerships in education and vocational
education and training and it includes all learning services providers from the Netherlands. The
programme has already involved 124.000 students, 12.000 companies, and 8.000 teacher that are
offering training and best practice examples from education and business sectors.

The Katapult receives over one third of its total budget from the contribution of over 10.000
participating companies. The project receives also funding from the Dutch Regional Investment
Fund and Katapult-network with offered support in all programme phases: application,
implementation, upscaling, and sustainability.

The Toolkit developed by Katapult is free of charge and it is available in different EU languages. The
Katapult.eu website includes resources from independent studies to video presentations of the

functioning principles of the public-private partnership in the Netherlands in a wide range of sectors,
not only education.