Uniting Europe Through Code: Highlights from EU Code Week 2024

Publication date: October 30, 2024

This year’s EU Code Week was nothing short of amazing, with a vibrant array of activities lighting up the entire continent from October 14 to October 27. The enthusiasm was palpable, as coding events and workshops took place in schools, libraries, and communities all across Europe. The numbers speak for themselves: up until the end of October, we have close to 60,000 activities registered on the EU Code Map, showing the immense passion and commitment for coding education.

The country leading in activities per inhabitant is Malta, with an impressive 488 activities. Following closely are Greece, with 6,521 activities, and Hungary with 2,208 activities. These numbers highlight the incredible energy and dedication of participants and organisers who believe in empowering the next generation with coding skills.

Powerful start of the 2024 Code Week edition

The EU Code Week 2024 kicked off with a successful launch event, streamed live from Brussels on Friday, October 11. The event set the tone for the two weeks ahead, filled with excitement and enthusiasm. To watch a recap of the launch, click here. On the other hand, if you prefer to read about it, please check our blog post here.

Spotlight activities

Throughout the week, we spotlighted two activities each day, showcasing the diverse and creative ways coding is being introduced across Europe. Let’s dive into two standout examples from Denmark and Italy.

In Denmark, an incredible activity tailored for teens (14+) brought coding and creativity together through the FIRST® LEGO® League, MicroBits, and Scratch. Participants also explored the Water World using LED lights, all supported by DTU Aqua and Coding Pirates. The event was a perfect blend of tech, creativity, and fun, enhanced by pop music in the background.

In Italy, a classroom of 19 diverse students thrived despite the absence of Wi-Fi, proving that passion for learning knows no limits. Inspired by “Coding in your Classroom, Now” and “Coding Diary” by Alessandro Bogliolo, the students crafted coded messages while learning about environmental protection. This activity highlighted the power of diversity and creativity in coding education.

Engaging AI play alongs with Minecraft Education

This year, we introduced live play alongs with Minecraft Education, giving teachers and students a hands-on opportunity to explore AI literacy through the engaging “Fantastic Fairgrounds” sessions. Held on the 17th, 22nd, and 25th of October, these sessions invited participants to dive into AI and data analysis interactively. With guidance from the #MSDreamSpace leaders, students developed foundational AI knowledge using just a device with Minecraft Education, an internet connection, and a projector, no licence required. It was a fantastic way to make learning accessible and fun for everyone.

Webinars: A deep dive into coding education

A series of webinars took place to further enhance coding knowledge during EU Code Week. The first, on the 21st of October, featured education analyst Lidija Kralj exploring how AI is transforming programming education. The second, held on the 24th, guided participants on how to organise and execute a successful hackathon with expert advice from Avanade’s specialist. This was a must-attend for those keen to launch their own #Code4Europe hackathons. The third, o

On the 17th of October, was an interactive Music & Coding session where participants blended music and coding through the latest Music Lab activity. Students remixed songs from their favourite artists and created their own musical codes, engaging both their creative and technical skills.

A heartfelt thank you

We couldn’t have made EU Code Week such a success without your enthusiasm and dedication. We are incredibly grateful for the huge EU Code Week community, whose passion and participation have fueled this movement. A special thank you goes out to our dedicated ambassadors and national hubs for their unwavering commitment, which has driven the initiative forward to unprecedented heights. Thank you for sharing your activities and tagging us—it’s your participation that makes this movement so memorable and impactful.

Looking forward to next year’s Code Week already! In the meantime, we encourage you to continue registering activities and contribute to advancing digital skills across our continent. Together, we are creating real change and shaping a future where digital skills empower every community across Europe.