Empowering digital confidence in Zottegem: Highlights from our Itsme workshop
Last Thursday, Zottegem became the stage for meaningful digital empowerment. In collaboration with deBib Zottegem, Lokaal Dienstencentrum Egmont, and Avansa Centraal Vlaanderen vzw, CollectiveUP successfully hosted an Itsme workshop as part of our broader St@ndByMe initiative.
The workshop went far beyond a technical tutorial. Yes, participants learned how to register and use the Itsme app—Belgium’s trusted digital identity tool—but they also gained vital insights into digital safety, rights, and agency.
More than just a login app
Through interactive demonstrations and open conversations, we explored what it really means to be safe online. We looked at phishing emails, spam tactics, and misleading digital practices. One key takeaway? Itsme will never ask you for personal information via email—a simple yet powerful insight that helps prevent identity fraud.
Participants were also introduced to Safeonweb.be, a reliable platform for reporting suspicious digital activity. This helped build a sense of trust and offered tools to take real action when encountering online threats.
Digital rights, dual realities
True to the values of the St@ndByMe project, the workshop balanced the discussion between the right to be digitally included and the right to stay offline.
We talked about two-factor authentication as a necessary safeguard for personal data—and at the same time reflected on the increasing demands placed on individuals to share their ID in stores or online platforms. Participants voiced concerns about how their data might be used or sold, and how marketing manipulation can exploit personal information to influence buying behavior.
One participant said it best:
“It's not just about knowing how to use technology, it's about knowing our rights and making choices that are good for us.”
What’s next?
The workshop sparked a genuine interest in continuing digital learning opportunities. Participants expressed enthusiasm for diving deeper into digital skills training, and we're already planning follow-up sessions in the next quarter, starting in September 2025.
At CollectiveUP, we believe digital inclusion must always go hand-in-hand with digital dignity and literacy. We’re proud to support communities like Zottegem in building the confidence to navigate the online world on their own terms.
🔗 Curious about our next workshops? Check our our next events at CollectiveUP Events or connect with our project via StandbyMeLearning.eu
