Europe is facing a growing digital skills gap, with too few young people, particularly girls and women, choosing to pursue studies and careers in digital fields such as coding and STEM. This shortage threatens the EU’s ability to remain competitive in the digital economy and to achieve an inclusive digital transition.

Code4Europe responds to this challenge by working with EU Code Week to inspire and equip the next generation of young Europeans with the digital skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive in a tech-driven world, while helping to build a more diverse and resilient digital workforce.

Code4Europe’s mission is to support EU Code Week to significantly increase the number of young people pursuing digital careers and unite the entire digital skills ecosystem to address the root causes of Europe's digital skills gap.

It will achieve this by expanding EU Code Week’s outreach and increasing its impact as a dynamic, inclusive, and far-reaching initiative that empowers young people aged 6 to 25 across Europe to explore and pursue digital careers, particularly in coding and STEM fields.

Building on the success of previous EU Code Weeks, Code4Europe will:

• Expand EU Code Week’s presence across and beyond the EU:
  • Establish a network of EU Code Week hubs, with a hub in every EU Member State, as well as in third countries
  • Equip the hubs with knowledge-sharing, teaching and advocacy materials and resources for local EU Code Week ambassadors and teachers to share with schools, parents, ministries, fostering deeper understanding and buy in
  • Increase awareness of and guide access to small local and international grants to help develop activities and impact at the local level

• Increase EU Code Week’s visibility and demonstrate its value and relevance to its key stakeholders, through:
  • Revitalised, meaningful and consistent engagement with young people, teachers, schools, parents, ministries and industry
  • New, targeted initiatives designed to engage underrepresented groups, promote gender diversity, and strengthen connections across the digital education ecosystem

Code4Europe is delivering a revitalised EU Code Week programme that empowers the next generation of young digital Europeans, fostering digital literacy for all and inspiring career ambitions in coding and STEM. The programme includes:

• Innovative and inspiring initiatives, such as Girls in Digital, the Careers in Digital/Dream Jobs, and Coding with Minecraft
• Gender diversity: raising awareness about the importance of gender diversity in digital innovation and the wider tech industry
• Localising EU Code Week: adapting to address local needs and national contexts
• Resources for local impact: equipping Ambassadors, Leading Teachers and Edu Coordinators with comprehensive resources and support to expand their impact in local communities
• Networking and collaboration: expanding and strengthening the Code Week Community at country level by connecting people, facilitating networking, and fostering collaboration among those passionate about digital literacy
• Corporate Social Responsibility projects: collaborating with the digital industry to develop impactful CSR projects that enhance digital education and community involvement.