EU Code Week 2026
EU Code Week community comes together in Brussels ahead of October
Code4Europe partners and members of the EU Code Week community met in Brussels for two days of discussion, reflection and planning ahead of EU Code Week 2026.
Last week, the Code4Europe consortium and members of the EU Code Week community came together in Brussels for two days of discussion, reflection and planning as we prepare for EU Code Week 2026, taking place from 10–25 October.
Hosted by Cisco, the meetings brought together partners from across Europe alongside the people who make Code Week happen on the ground: Ambassadors, Leading Teachers, Edu Coordinators, Code4Europe consortium memebrs and other members of the Code Week community.
One message came through particularly strongly over the two days: EU Code Week is driven by its community.
The Ambassadors, Leading Teachers, Edu Coordinators, educators and volunteers working across Europe are central to its reach, relevance and continued success.
The people behind EU Code Week
EU Code Week has always been about much more than a campaign or a series of events.
Over the past two years, the Code4Europe consortium, led by JA Europe, has worked together to support and develop EU Code Week across Europe.
In Brussels, consortium partners including ALL DIGITAL, DIGITALEUROPE, Profil Klett and Matrix Internet, among others, shared updates on key achievements from the past two years, lessons learned and how these experiences can inform the next phase of Code Week. The discussions also provided an opportunity to look collectively at what has worked well, where challenges remain and how the consortium can continue to support the community more effectively.
But EU Code Week’s reach ultimately depends on the people bringing it to life locally. Thousands of educators, volunteers and local organisers give their time, share their knowledge and create opportunities for young people to discover coding and digital skills.
In Brussels, we heard directly from members of that community about what Code Week looks like in their countries, the challenges they encounter and, importantly, what works.
We heard examples of successful collaboration from the Baltic Code Week community, including Latvia and Lithuania, as well as experiences from the Code Week community in Malta. These conversations highlighted how local knowledge, strong networks and collaboration across borders can help Code Week reach more educators and young people.
Reflecting on the past and looking to the future
The meetings also created space for an open discussion about Code Week past, present and future.
Community representatives, Code4Europe partners and the European Commission shared their perspectives on how Code Week has evolved and what is needed to continue building its reach and impact.
There have been challenges over the years, but one point united the room: Code Week matters.
It matters because digital skills are increasingly important for young people across Europe. It matters because teachers need practical ways to introduce coding, computational thinking and emerging technologies into education. And it matters because Code Week provides a community where people can learn from one another rather than having to do it alone.
“Code Week is alive and kicking.”
Ioannis Gaviotis, European Commission
Learning from the people making Code Week happen
One of the most valuable parts of meeting in person was simply having the opportunity to listen.
Leading Teachers and Ambassadors shared experiences from their classrooms and communities, while national and regional representatives discussed different approaches to growing participation.
These are the people who understand what encourages a teacher to organise their first Code Week activity, what support schools need and how an activity can grow into something much bigger.
Their experiences will continue to help shape how the Code Week community develops and how we support participation across Europe.
EU Code Week 2026 is almost here
October is packed with opportunities to get involved, including the EU Code Week 2026 Launch Event on 12 October. Explore the upcoming events and find out how you can join the Code Week community throughout October.
From Brussels to communities across Europe
The timing of the meetings could not have been better.
EU Code Week 2026 begins on 10 October, when thousands of activities will take place in schools, libraries, community organisations, businesses and other spaces across Europe.
The conversations in Brussels reinforced something that is easy to forget when looking at a Europe-wide initiative: Code Week happens locally.
It happens when a teacher tries a coding activity with their class. When an Ambassador brings organisations together in their country. When a Leading Teacher shares an idea with colleagues. When a community creates an opportunity for a young person to experiment with technology for the first time.
Together, those individual actions become a European movement.
Thank you to our community
A huge thank you to everyone who travelled to Brussels and contributed so openly to the discussions, to the Code4Europe consortium partners, and to Cisco for hosting us.
Most importantly, thank you to the Ambassadors, Leading Teachers, Edu Coordinators, educators and volunteers who continue to give their time and energy to EU Code Week.
October is almost here, and after two days together in Brussels, there is plenty of positive energy to take into this year’s campaign.
