EU Codeweek is a grassroots movement that celebrates creating with code. The initiative was launched in 2013 by the Young Advisors for the Digital Agenda Europe. The idea is to make computer programming more visible, to show young, adults and elderly how one can bring ideas to life with code, to demystify these skills and bring motivated people together to learn.
Some people use programmes like Scratch or Python to start beginners on coding. Others use physical gadgets to make it fun, or organise a treasure hunt where participants write down the steps of finding the treasure in short one-line instructions, which, after all, are the basics of ‘pseudo-code’.
As part of its strategy for a Digital Single Market, the European Commission supports EU Codeweek and other independent initiatives that aim to boost digital skills, including programming, for different target groups. In 2016, nearly a million people in more than 50 countries around the world took part in EU Codeweek, and this success was also mirrored in Malta. Organisations and individuals involved in this social initiative get a lot of exposure.
EU Codeweek is a concentrated effort to entice young or older people into coding by giving them an experience and a taste of it
In June 2016, the Commission adopted the New Skills Agenda Europe, which addresses digital skills through 10 concrete actions. One of the actions included the setting-up of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, which brings together regional and national authorities, businesses, non-profit organisations, education providers and social partners who commit to take action to increase digital skills in Europe. National digital skills and jobs coalitions are often involved in EU Codeweek, and this is very much so in Malta.
The eSkills Malta Foundation is Malta’s Codeweek ambassador. The foundation coordinates the code week’s initiatives in Malta. As part of its mandate to increase the digital capacity in Malta, the foundation will be participating in the EU Codeweek between October 7 and 22.
The EU Codeweek is not about selling or branding; it is about a concentrated effort in this period to uphold ‘coding’ and entice young or older people into coding by giving them an experience and a taste of it. The eSkills Malta Foundation can handle the promotion, administration of the activity, and in the end, also awards a certificate or badge.
Initiatives during the EU Codeweek may target a specific group, age or even sector. The audience may vary from children to adults. For example, a college or university may target young adults to coding for data analytics, or the coding of robots, even though they might still be considered beginners in the subject. The possibilities and diversity of EU Codeweek is huge. And yes, coding can be for everyone.
The Maltese have always been generous in honouring such events, and the eSkills Malta Foundation is looking forward to this. This year the foundation is planning to organise events in schools, colleges and universities. Engaging with organisations is key for the success of this initiative in Malta.
All interested organisations, irrespective of whether they are big or small, are encouraged to contact the foundation so that their initiative is given a European visibility. Contact can be made through the link below.
Carm Cachia is executive coordinator, eSkills Malta Foundation.
www.facebook.com/codeeumalta