Join EU Code Week Movement: A New Year of Creativity and Collaboration Begins

Brussels, 13 October 2025 — EU Code Week 2025, the bold tech initiative redefining how Europe engages, educates, and empowers young people, officially opened a new year of activities with an inspiring high-level online event bringing together policymakers, educators, innovators, and community leaders from across Europe.

Now in its 13^th edition, EU Code Week has evolved into a truly European movement. In just one year, it has reached 10 million young people, making it one of the most inclusive and impactful digital learning experiences on the continent. Supported by the European Commission under the Digital Europe programme and powered by a vibrant network of educators, ambassadors, and technology partners, Code Week continues to show how collaboration can transform digital education at scale.

Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament, hailed Code Week as a European success story, underlining the importance of digital literacy as a foundation for innovation and inclusion. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, and European Commissioner for Digital and Frontier Technologies, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every European has the skills and confidence to participate in a sovereign and competitive digital future. Rehana Schwinninger-Ladak, Head of Unit Interactive Technologies, Digital for Culture and Education, DG CONNECT European Commission highlighted the importance of empowering girls and women to enhance their digital skills and to take up careers in the tech sector.

Their messages set the tone for a new year guided by the values of Digital Europe — openness, collaboration, and inclusion.

Building on that spirit, Salvatore Nigro, CEO of JA Europe, encouraged young Europeans to see coding as a tool for progress and participation:

“To young people across Europe — this is your moment to build the blocks of our shared digital future. Coding is more than a skill; it’s the language of opportunity and innovation.”

Speakers and panellists throughout the event shared how communities, schools, and companies are working hand in hand to make digital learning practical and inspiring.

The first panel, “The Power of Communities in Europe’s Digital Future,” moderated by Annie Bergh, President of the Code Week Council, featured Georgia Laskaris (Greece), Madhumalti Sharma (Luxembourg), and Cindy Smits (Belgium), with a video contribution from Prof. Dr. Alessandro Bogliolo (Italy). Together, they celebrated the educators and volunteers who form the heartbeat of Code Week’s success.

The second panel, “From Classrooms to Careers: Navigating AI’s Learning Curve,” moderated by Diana Filip, explored how artificial intelligence is transforming education and work. The discussion included Antonis Cassano (Uni Systems), Matthias Graf von Kielmansegg (Vodafone Foundation), Mercedes Mira Costa (HP), Laurence Morvan (Accenture), and Anny Tubbs (First Move Productions), who shared ideas on ensuring that AI learning remains inclusive, hands-on, and human-centred.

Complementing the discussions were creative showcases including Girls in Digital Week by WIDE&CO, Code with Minecraft by Microsoft, and the EU Code Week Hackathons presented by Martina Marcassa from AllDigital — each highlighting how Europe’s coding movement continues to grow through innovation and local action.

The event concluded with a keynote message from Dr. Borhene Chakroun, Director at UNESCO, who underlined the importance of global partnerships to expand access to digital skills and lifelong learning opportunities.

Closing the launch, Diana Filip, Deputy CEO of JA Europe, invited everyone to grow the movement:

“Bring a friend who’s new to Code Week — together, we can double the impact.”

As EU Code Week 2025 begins, the message is clear: Europe’s digital future will be built by communities that learn, create, and innovate together.