To our community:
Code.X started in 2019, expanding its Code for Palestine model to other fragile and conflict-affected regions and providing crucial technology education for young people around the world. In February 2024, we will have turned 5 years old and are extremely grateful to our community who have made it possible for us to operate through the pandemic and beyond.
As global needs change and the technology landscape continues to shift quickly, we’ve been evolving our programming and organization: In 2023, we continued strong with our flagship programs in Albania and Palestine while piloting new program designs to support broader swaths of students in these regions. We are excited for the future as we continue to provide the best experience possible for our students and instructors.
2023 Highlights
We are grateful for all that we were able to accomplish in 2023 across our two focus areas: replicating our youth flagship programs to new geographies (breadth) and supporting new secondary youth programs in existing geographies (depth). Our Palestine programs for the latter half of 2023 were generously funded by The Cisco Foundation as part of a MENA Regional Solutions Grant.
Flagship Programs
Albania: We brought 8 Code.X instructors to teach Computer Science and Human-Centered Design to 70+ students during our 24-month intensive program, Code for Albania. Students built upon critical STEM and creative skills by planning, designing, and executing on a technical project which was then packaged as a presentation and portfolio piece. Our 14 graduating students presented their interdisciplinary capstone projects to representatives from alphaPlan (our local nonprofit partner), the Municipality of Korçë, and World Vision Albania.
Gaza: We brought 4 Code.X instructors to Gaza City to kick off YouthCode-Gaza, Code.X and Amideast’s 12-month adaptation of Code.X’s flagship Code for Palestine program that ended in 2022. Our instructors taught introductory programming and creative mindsets to 50 pilot cohort students, who gained both advanced digital skills and soft skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, confidence, resilience in the face of new challenges and opportunities.
Secondary Programs
Workshops & Mentorship: 6 Code.X instructors taught 200+ students across Ramallah and Nablus as part of a workshop series for AlNayzak Organization’s Tech-Talent high school program. This workshop series aimed to expose large numbers of students to computer science, design, and Silicon Valley. Each 4-day introductory workshop focused on specialized topics in programming and design thinking. Code.X’s curriculum was additionally translated into Arabic and taught locally for Tech-Talent in Gaza. Our instructors then went on to mentor AlNayzak’s highest achieving students in Jericho as part of a 4-day intensive summer camp for Horizons Academy.
Training: Code.X piloted a small training program to start a Gaza International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) team, partnering with Meshka and X-Camp Academy to train future IOI team leads. This initiative is returning in 2024 as Meshka’s Solve for Palestine, open to all Palestinian high schoolers, and has had 2,000+ student sign-ups so far.
Testimonials
“Code for Albania has shown me a different possible future path for my life, which before I had never even imagined myself. It has faced me with some great people, who throughout their passion planted a little flower in myself too, that now is growing day after day. Like a little plant, the passion for technology has grown in my heart.” (Code For Albania student)
“Code for Albania has broadened my horizons and allowed me to enjoy the company of a beautiful community of zealous, like-minded, teachers and learners - I have learned more from the students than I ever thought I could teach them. 3 years as a CFA student and now coming back as a TA, it has been, and will continue to be, the ultimate high of my year and the experience of a lifetime!” (Code For Albania alumni & returning TA)
“To be honest, I'm surprised. I didn't know anything about coding and I thought learning python with American teachers would be difficult. Now I can speak English fluently, work with a team, make some good friends and present my project.” (YouthCode-Gaza student)
“The program really blew through my expectations and was honestly life changing. The students are forever in my heart, and the staff and TAs are always gonna be friends. I knew the situation in Gaza was hard but seeing it in person and meeting the people who live there really changes things, and I hope I can return for the winter camp. My heart and soul are better off having done this program, and I was honored to be able to help the students.” (YouthCode-Gaza instructor)
“Code.X is a very special organization that clearly impacts these student's futures in a tangible, positive way, and I was happy and proud to be a part of it!” (YouthCode-Gaza instructor)
Mission & Vision
Code.X envisions a future where fragile or conflict-affected regions around the world have equitable access to the education, tools, and resources required to create a flourishing technology sector that brings local prosperity and contributes to global development of new technologies.
We work towards this vision via 3 guiding missions, designed to create an empowered, self-sustaining economy of technology innovators and leaders in each locality that Code.X supports:
Invest in highly-motivated young people: Provide youth in fragile or conflict-affected regions with world-class human-centered education, digital fluency, and technical skills.
Promote global cultural exchange: Provide Silicon Valley experts with opportunities to teach in fragile or conflict-affected regions and work on real-world problems in partnership with local leaders.
Advise global tech leaders: Teach local leaders in conflict-affected regions to use AI and innovation tools for investments in tech sector development.
We’re very grateful for the support and trust we’ve been afforded so far and we’re excited to continue translating it into impact.
Cheers and Happy New Year,
The Code.X Team