Students from Nógrád and Heves counties are designing the city of the future with the support of the Alstom Foundation

• Thanks to the support of the Alstom Foundation, around 170 students from Nógrád and Heves counties will explore the basics of 3D design and printing, programming, artificial intelligence, and robotics as they work together to design the sustainable city of the future
• Students participating in the program will learn about real-world technological and sustainable challenges through narrative learning, while also acquiring knowledge that will be useful in the labour market of the future

Funding from the Alstom Foundation, organization created by a global leader in smart and sustainable rail solutions, will support Hungarian educational initiative, dedicated to empowering youth with skills of the future. The project combining social engagement of Manna Foundation, commitment to sustainability of Alstom and innovative training tools of Maker’s Red Box will reach nearly 170 students of four schools in the region of Heves and Nógrád counties.

It is becoming increasingly challenging for students to acquire knowledge that is truly timeless and meets the expectations of the 21st century. Maintaining motivation and developing the right skills and competences can open up new perspectives for young people. This is where the Manna Foundation’s project comes in, supporting students from primary and secondary schools in Nógrád and Heves counties. As part of the “City of the Future” course, students use Maker’s Red Box competency development materials to design and build their vision of a sustainable 21st-century city, while acquiring essential skills such as 3D design, programming and environmental innovation, as well as learning the importance of collaboration and teamwork. The project was just awarded a funding from Alstom Foundation, being selected from multiple submissions from around the world.

“We are delighted that Mátranovák and its surroundings are not only on Alstom’s global map thanks to the bogie frames we manufacture, but also through our support for a successful and forward-looking educational programme that supports young people. What’s more, during the training, young people will acquire skills that will equip them with knowledge that can be put to good use in the medium term, and which they will be able to use in the future at Alstom’s factory in Mátranovák,” emphasises Gáspár Balázs, Country MD of Alstom in Hungary.

The programme is being implemented in one of Hungary’s most disadvantaged industrial regions, where youth unemployment, migration and lack of access to quality technical education are major problems. Accordingly, the programme is being launched in four schools in Bátonyterenye, Salgótarján and Pétervására. Within the framework of the programme, all schools have already received the necessary technical equipment and facilities, and teachers have also participated in the necessary training, so the programme got off to a smooth and effective start in the first week of March 2026.

“The feedback so far has been positive. The students have enthusiastically set about designing the city of the future, and based on the current positive experiences, the teachers would like to use the programme not only in afternoon clubs but also in official classroom lessons next year,” points out Miklós Rózsa, president of the Manna Foundation.

“It is a great honour for Maker’s Red Box to be part of such an innovative initiative. We would like to thank the Alstom Foundation for recognising the complex and long-term positive effects of Maker’s Red Box teaching materials. This project goes beyond simply creating and equipping 21st-century educational spaces. It also involves introducing teaching materials, training teachers and building communities so that the tools and knowledge provided with Alstom’s support remain in active use for many years to come, serving local communities and successfully preparing young people for the future labour market,” – emphasises Tímea Schlégl, managing director of Maker’s Red Box, which is involved in the implementation of the granted project.

About the Alstom Foundation

Established in November 2007, the Alstom Foundation supports and funds projects which serve to improve living conditions in, and economic prospects of, communities located near Alstom’s facilities and sites around the world. All projects are presented and supported by Alstom employees who team up with expert partners and look to the Alstom Foundation to make a positive impact on the local environment. All projects are conducted in strong partnership with local or global NGOs with a proven ability to implement the projects on the ground.

ALSTOM™ is a registered trademark of the Alstom Group.

Alstom in Hungary: Read more