This year, Meet and Code continued its legacy of fostering inclusivity, empowering communities, and transforming lives.
#MeetandCode #DigitalSkills #DigitalImpact
14.12.2023
We are proud to announce that we reached new heights in 2023, with 57,200 participants - a record number - attending 1,300 events across 703 cities across 25 European countries.
We would like to give a big thank you to our donor partners Amazon and SAP, organizing partners Haus des Stiftens and TechSoup Europe, and to you, the non-profits who hosted creative and exciting events that inspire youth across the continent to learn and improve their digital skills.
Join us as we unpack the results of our collaborative efforts:
Focused Inclusivity
Our mission is to ensure that every young European citizen is equipped with the digital skills to shape their future. We aim to narrow the digital gap and introduce youth from different walks of life to the vast realms of technology and coding.
This year's commitment to inclusivity is evident in the diverse participant demographics with 47% coming from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, and 41% being female. As we work towards supporting those facing socio-economic challenges, we are proud that 43% of those who took part came from low-income households, 22% had a migration background, and 11% were refugees.
Additionally, our initiative addressing digital access disparities supporting those without IT devices (29%) and residents of socially deprived neighbourhoods (32%).
Of the participants, 29% had disabilities, highlighting our commitment to accessibility and creating an inclusive environment for all.
Our impact extended to communities of varying sizes, with events in cities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants increasing by 19% since 2022. Furthermore, there was a 12% increase in events in urban areas with populations between 10,000 and 100,000.
Participant Impact
We are delighted that the Meet and Code 2023 events left a lasting positive impression on participants, with 84% finding the workshops highly enjoyable and 80% agreeing that their expectations were fully met. Impressively, 77% expressed a desire to attend another Meet and Code event in 2024, indicating sustained interest and engagement. Considering this, we hope you already have your thinking caps on for fun and exciting workshops for next year’s edition!
The impact on coding knowledge was substantial. Over 72% acknowledged that the event they attended significantly contributed to their understanding of coding, underlining the educational value of the initiative. Your events also successfully introduced coding to beginners, as the percentage of participants considering themselves programming newbies decreased from 15% to a mere 1.8% after participating in the event.
NPO Empowerment
Meet and Code played a pivotal role in empowering NPOs, with 65% of events made possible through the microgrants that we provide. We supported 739 organisations this year. Their satisfaction with the program was evident, with over 80% stating that this year's program fully met their expectations, while more than 83% considered their events successful.
Aligning with our goals of coding for good, the events organized this year addressed various socio-economic challenges, including educational inequality (34%), local community building (32%), and closing the gender gap in IT (29%). The program showcased its commitment to collaboration by supporting initiatives focused on diversity, inequality, climate change, European unity, and addressing the war of aggression against Ukraine.
Meet and Code 2024
Meet and Code’s journey in 2023 has been a testament to collaborative efforts, illuminating a path toward a digitally inclusive future. As we reflect on this year’s success, we look forward to next year when we will continue our journey with a focus on reaching underserved and underrepresented youth to create equal opportunities for all through digital skills.
As we embark on a new year, the collective vision is clear. Meet and Code is poised to continue breaking barriers, expanding opportunities for Europe’s youth, and transforming lives. Our legacy, underscored by the belief that every young person deserves access to 21st-century learning, shapes a future where digital skills are a universal right.
Stay tuned for next year’s edition! We can’t wait to see more exciting workshops brought to life.
