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CodeWeek: Empowering Society Through Digital Skills


What is CodeWeek?

EU CodeWeek (the European Week of Programming) is a grassroots initiative promoted by the European Commission with the aim of empowering citizens through programming and computational thinking. Every year, throughout October, thousands of activities take place across Europe (and beyond), organised by schools, libraries, universities, tech companies, and volunteers.

Since its launch in 2013, CodeWeek has grown exponentially, becoming a movement that transcends borders, ages, and disciplines. Its spirit is inclusive and community-driven: anyone can organise an activity, and everyone can take part.


Why is it important for society?

In an increasingly digital world, the lack of technological knowledge has become a new form of social exclusion. CodeWeek’s mission is to make digital knowledge accessible to everyone — from children to adults, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

This effort is perfectly aligned with the goals of the MERIT project, which aims to train advanced digital professionals while also contributing to the broader transformation of society through digital literacy.


These initiatives generate concrete impact
  • Inclusive education: Young children get to write their first “Hello world!” and realise that technology is about creating, not just consuming.
  • Youth empowerment: Teenagers discover they can be inventors, developers, or future engineers.
  • Professional reskilling: Adults undergoing career transitions acquire essential skills to access new job markets.
  • Community building: Digital learning becomes a shared activity, connecting generations and people from diverse backgrounds.
An impact beyond the week itself

Although it takes place over just one week, CodeWeek leaves a lasting mark. Many schools incorporate programming activities into their teaching routines. Families and educators continue to explore digital tools, and many participants take the next step toward more advanced education, such as tech degrees or master’s programmes — including the MERIT master’s degree at UPC Manresa.

In addition, the CodeWeek format promotes a culture of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving — key values for a democratic and digitally skilled society.


MERIT and the construction of a digital society

The MERIT project has a dual mission: to train highly qualified professionals in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and IoT, while also actively contributing to the building of a fairer and more inclusive digital society.

Initiatives like CodeWeek reinforce this mission: they act as bridges between citizens and technological innovation, offering opportunities to spark vocations, uncover talent, and reduce inequality.

That’s why, from UPC Manresa and within the framework of the MERIT project, we are proud to participate in CodeWeek by organising an activity on October 25th, aimed at children aged 7 to 11. The goal is to help them discover what technology is by introducing them to the world of programming and robotics. The activity will be designed and delivered by students from the Bachelor’s Degree in ICT Systems Engineering, providing them with a unique chance to share their knowledge and contribute to digital education and outreach.


Participate, Share, Inspire

CodeWeek is much more than just a week: it’s a movement that reminds us that technology is a tool for inclusion, expression, and social transformation. Participating not only brings knowledge, but also strengthens social ties and builds collective confidence in people’s potential.

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