The Social-Engineer Abdelkarim Bellafkih (1986) is an engineer, a social engaged entrepreneur and an innovator. After finishing high school in Antwerp he went to the University of Brussels (VUB) to start his training to become an engineer. In 2009 Abdelkarim graduated as a civil electromechanical engineer and started to work as a project engineer for the Highway Agency of the Flemish government. In his position as a project engineer, Abdelkarim is responsible for different electric and mechanical equipment to secure a safe road network. In 2013 Abdelkarim became the head coordinator of the chemistry department at the University College Artesis Plantin in Antwerp where he also lectured physics and thermodynamics. In September 2014 Abdelkarim continued his job as a project engineer at the Flemish government. Since November 2021 Abdelkarim started as the director of Flanders Hydraulics Research, a centre of expertise for research and advice on hydraulic, nautical, sediment-related and hydrological topics.Abdelkarim is also socially involved, where he tries to solve issues within the society by linking and empowering people:- In 2011 he founded the youth- and volunteering organization Free Hands which focuses on inspiring and activating youngsters in an urban context- Abdelkarim was one of the founders of the network organization Muslinked which was launched in April 2016- As a Member of the think tank The Friday Group he tries to inspire other youngsters and policy makers since September 2016Abdelkarim tries to help others to focus on diversity and to strengthen the voice of youngsters by being an active board member in different ngo’s. Abdelkarim was nominated and selected for an IVLP in September 2017.Abdelkarim is a 2018 Alumni of the Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN) of the German Marshall Fund (GMF).