EU Code Week Community meets online!

Publication date: December 12, 2023

As the 11th edition of EU Code Week drew to a close, the Code Week community gathered for a virtual curtain call at the EU Code Week Online Community Meeting on Thursday, 7 December 2023. The meeting, held from 16:30 to 18:00 CET, proved to be a resounding success, bringing together dedicated participants from across Europe to reflect on the achievements of EU Code Week 2023 and to chart the course for an even more impactful EU Code Week 2024.

The meeting kicked off at 16:30 with a warm welcome and an icebreaker led by the EU Code WEEK team, both DG CNECT Representative and manager of the initiative Ioannis Gaviotis and Stefanie Hille welcomed the community sharing also interesting insights and updates. This set the tone for a collaborative and engaging session, emphasising the sense of community that lies at the heart of EU Code Week.

The sky is the limit for EU Code Week

The EU Code Week Team then provided a comprehensive report on the achievements of EU Code Week 2023. Attendees had the opportunity to delve into the ongoing activities of the Code Week team and gain insights into the tireless efforts being made to support and empower the EU Code Week Community.

The EU Code Week has been a success in 2023, the thousands of activities organised show the effort and the dedication by the EU Code Week Community. A special mention went to the tireless EU Code Week National Ambassadors without them nothing could be possible, and their work makes this a proper grassroots initiative.

It was also highlighted how the Hackathon, that finished the last week of November, was a success. In fact, the first three classified teams will have the chance to travel to Brussels. And we are already looking for next year Hackathon edition that who knows, may reach another European level. Even though the motto is “Strive for quality” it would be incredible to have the chance to organise a an EU Code Week Hackathon where all European Countries could participate.

Reflecting on Code Week 2023

One of the highlights of the meeting was a session dedicated to sharing local Code Week activities during 2023. Community members had the chance to showcase the diversity and creativity of their events, fostering a spirit of mutual learning and collaboration. We also had the chance to listen to two Local Train the Trainer Courses, one by Viliana and the other by Fabrizia (read here the blogpost about Fabrizia’s activity).

The Online Community Meeting was interactive space, with Slido activities, Mentimeter infographics and breakout rooms where people could chat and discuss. Indeed, breakout rooms became the perfect setting for a focused discussion on lessons learned during EU Code Week 2023 and plans for the future. In groups of five to six, attendees brainstormed for 20 minutes before reconvening to report the main ideas in the plenary. This interactive session facilitated the exchange of valuable insights and set the stage for strategic planning as the community looked ahead to EU Code Week 2024.

Looking to the future

At 17:30, the EU Code Week Team took the floor once again, unveiling their vision for EU Code Week 2024. Attendees gained a sneak peek into the upcoming edition, promising exciting new initiatives and opportunities for the Code Week Community to thrive.

The EU Code Week Team kept the momentum going with announcements on how they plan to kick-start the new year of Code Week. These updates provided a roadmap for the community, ensuring that everyone is well prepared and informed for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The meeting concluded with community announcements and questions, allowing the floor to be shared among the participants. The EU Code Week Team expressed their gratitude with a group picture, symbolising the collective strength of the community.

As the clock struck 18:00, the virtual doors of the EU Code Week Online Community Meeting closed, marking the end of a fruitful and inspiring session. The EU Code Week Team, along with the entire community, left the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared commitment to continue fostering digital skills and creativity across Europe.

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we eagerly await the start of EU Code Week 2024!