Coding for Kids in Libraries (CODE Kids)

The CODE Kids Project aims to create a coding movement in which children, young people and rural librarians develop their digital skills and engage in the life of their community by solving creative digital themes, targeting children in more isolated rural and urban environments in Romania.

To develop a locally adaptive system of coding courses and mentoring, based on the evolution of the learning and task-solving process, laying the basis for a digital-skills development programme for children that can be scaled to other regions of Romania.

Since January 2017, CODE Kids established coding clubs in local libraries across Argeș, Vâlcea, Gorj, Timiș, Arad, Bihor and Sălaj counties, where members aged 10-14 solve practical creative tasks with the support of librarians, youth and project ambassadors; tasks are undertaken with educational partner Etic Association and rendered through the project's online national community of children, youth, librarians and IT mentors.

The project grew from 29 coding clubs with over 450 members (from January 2017) to 95 coding clubs involving 1,400 children currently. Public libraries act as community educational centres providing new services, communities become aware of the positive impact of computers and the Internet, and private or public entities are encouraged to get involved.