Code4Europe

Launched in 2024, Code4Europe is a European project funded with €6 million through the DIGITAL-2023-SKILLS-04-BOOSTINGDIGIT – DIGITAL-CSA Digital Coordination and Support Actions programme.

The project aims to inspire and empower the next generation of digitally savvy Europeans by promoting digital literacy and coding skills. By making coding and digital education more accessible, Code4Europe wants to encourage more young people to discover technology, build confidence and consider future opportunities in the digital workforce.

As part of the Code4Europe consortium, CoderDojo Belgium contributes by bringing coding and digital creativity activities to children and young people across Belgium. Through our national network of free CoderDojo clubs, children and teenagers can discover programming, technology and digital making in an accessible, playful and hands-on way.

Our Dojos are registered on the Code Week platform, helping to showcase the many digital literacy and coding activities taking place in Belgium. These activities, together with participant numbers, stories and social media visibility, help demonstrate the reach and impact of Code4Europe in Belgium.

In addition to our regular Dojo activities, CoderDojo Belgium contributes to Code4Europe through several project activities. We participated in the hackathon track by helping to prepare the hackathon toolbox through multiple meetings and by attending the hackathon finals. Our team has also contributed to the development and review of learning resources within the project, helping to ensure that educational materials are relevant, practical and accessible for young learners, volunteers and educators.

We also organised and supported several webinars aimed at inspiring educators, volunteers and young people around creativity, inclusion and innovation in technology. These included:

"Beyond Code: Empowering Generations of Innovators” by Tania Gomez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMdu9_BSz4k&list=PLnqp3yQre_1iU1qMK7vMSzC_jfMkqxXky

“NerdKunst: A Gentle Introduction to Generative Art” by Nick Bouckaert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K15vo_RRPL0)

“Diversity Drives Solutions - How to Make Your Hackathon Count” by Rein Meirte founder of Clusity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2MdySoc6YQ)

“Thinking in the Future: Activating Students Towards Innovation” by Els Bruynooghe of Brightlab and Prof. Dr. Bas Baccarne along with Researcher Ben Robaeyst from Ghent University. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe-mCuVB-Ro)

Together with the other European partners, CoderDojo Belgium is proud to be part of a broader movement that makes coding, digital skills and technology more accessible to everyone.

Want to learn more? Visit the Code4Europe website at www.codeweek.eu or discover upcoming coding activities via https://codeweek.eu/events.