Edoovillage #2013 - Romania, Bucarest: CODEKids

The CODE Kids Project – Children are coding in public libraries is creating a coding movement in which children, young people and rural librarians develop their digital skills and engage in life of their community by solving creative digital themes. Progress Foundation facilitates a long-term digital competence training program for children living in more isolated rural and urban environments, through an action learning approach.

Why: Through trainings and workshops, another window in digital world is opened for development and learning opportunities so that over 2000 children aged between 10 to 14 are encouraged to actively engage and even pursue a career in technology. Within CODE Kids, coding clubs are established in public libraries or schools and as part of a two year long project, children have to solve coding tasks and experiments from STEM fields, participate in science fairs, and offer mentoring. About 2500 children are currently involved in 94 coding clubs set up in 18 counties: Sălaj, Bihor, Timiş, Vâlcea, Gorj, Argeş, Vrancea, Tulcea, Galaţi, Hunedoara, Caras-Severin, Harghita, Braşov, Neamţ, Iaşi, Constanța, Bacău, Arad.

Public libraries have been equipped with computers and laptops as part of an international Global Libraries program, called Biblionet in Romania. Libraries received new IT equipment until the end of the Biblionet in 2013. Since then very few libraries were able to make any updates to their hardware. For libraries to implement CODE Kids clubs and allow their children to participate in the project a minimum of 3 computers/laptops is requested. Public libraries are in need to enlarge the number of working computers/laptops with internet access so members of the coding clubs can practice their new skills. Progress Foundation is looking for long term partners to empower libraries to successfully provide learning services for youth from rural communities.