In 2019, Code.X brought its flagship youth leadership and coding program to Albania in partnership with local organization alphaPlan. What began as a pilot at Epoka University in Tiranë has since grown into the nationally recognized program Code for Albania, hosted in the mountain town of Korçë, thanks to strong local support from the Municipality of Korçë.

📸 Follow along with Code for Albania on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube!

Our Approach

Research from local educators and stakeholders highlighted two challenges:

  1. Limited access to computer science and design education, and

  2. Preconceptions and cultural biases discouraging girls from pursuing ICT and STEM fields.

alphaPlan approached us to create a program for a new generation of Albanian coders. Together, we equip Albanian teens with the skills to solve local problems with a human-centered approach.

Code.X’s three-year flagship model—originally developed in conflict-affected regions—proved to be a perfect fit:

  • Students apply after their first year of high school

  • They join a diverse, 50/50 gender-balanced cohort

  • They graduate with the tools to lead tech-driven solutions in their communities

Since launching, we’ve onboarded a new cohort of 50 in-person students each year. Alumni now return as teaching assistants, helping to grow the next generation of coders across Albania as Code for Albania gains national recognition.

Programming classroom from Code for Albania 2022.

Students, instructors, staff, and TAs from Code for Albania 2022.

Where are they now?

Geart Ferhati is always smiling and enthusiastic about new challenges. This positive attitude, focus and continuous work have been yielding results for years. His latest challenge seems to be going beyond all expectations. We present to you the I-VOTE.AL application, which raises the voting process of student governments to another level. Read more.

A friendship that turns into a green start-up idea for the community: Irdi, Besart, Kleon, Parid, and Deiv. Last year, they presented their start-up idea at a Hackathon organized in Tirana. It is about R-ECO, an application that helps the Tirana community to live healthily by comparing the level of pollution in different areas. Read more.

Tea’s journey in technology, from a curious 15-year-old to a mentor for future generations: “Every achievement begins with the decision to try,” this quote by John F Kennedy describes my successful journey in Code for Albania. It all started with the curiosity that a 15-year-old has, to try something new. Today, about four years later, that initial interest has become my job and will also be my future university branch. Read more.

Press & Media Coverage

  • “Përfundon Korça ICT Academy, shpërndahen certifikata për pjesëmarrësit” (Youtube via RTSH Korçë, 2023)

  • “Korça pret “Code for Albania”, kampin veror që ka bërë bashkë 100 fëmijë nga i gjithë vendi e 10 instruktorë nga SHBA” (Gazeta Express, 2022)

  • “Harrojeni Tiranën. Çoni fëmijët në Korçë me “Code for Albania” për edukimin më të mirë në teknologji dhe sipërmarrje!” (Faktor, 2022)

  • “Korça pret “Code for Albania” kampin veror që ka bërë bashkë 100 fëmijë nga i gjithë vendi e 10 instruktorë nga SHBA (Java News, 2022)

  • “Në Korçë hapet kampi verore i teknologjisë për të rinjtë, çfarë ofron |“Mirëmëngjes Shqipëri”” (Youtube via RTSH, 2022)

  • ““Code for Albania”, kampi veror në Korçë që ka bërë bashkë 100 fëmijë nga Shqipëria dhe 10 instruktorë nga SHBA” (Lexo, 2022)

  • “Bashkia Korçë dhe Code for Albania, kamp veror teknologjik për fëmijë dhe të rinj” (Albanian Telegraphic Agency, 2022)

  • “Bashkia Korçë dhe Code for Albania, rikthen kampin veror tashmë edhe teknologjik për fëmijë dhe të rinj” (TPZ, 2022)

  • “Përfundon Korça ICT Academy” (Youtube via RTSH Korçë, 2022)

  • “Nis Korça ICT Academy” (Youtube via RTSH Korçë, 2022)

  • “Së shpejti çelet Korça ICT Academy” (Youtube via RTSH Korçë, 2022)

  • "Akademia TIK në Korçë” (Youtube via RTSH Korçë, 2022)

  • “Korça Municipality and Code for Albania, technology summer camp for children and young people” (Albanian Telegraphic Agency, 2022)

  • “Kampi i parë veror për teknologjinë në Korçë, një hapësirë e veçantë për 100 fëmijë nga Korça, Shqipëria dhe rajoni.” (Facebook, 2022)

  • “Kampi veror pa pagesë, te apasionuarit pas teknologjise “me vrap” në Korçë” (Youtube via ABC News, 2022)

  • “Trajnohen 100 të rinj në Teknologji Informacioni” (MCN TV, 2022)

  • “Me sytë drejt inovacionit, mbi 100 të rinj në Korçë mësojnë programim” (Facebook via Euronews Albania, 2022)

  • “Korça pret “Code for Albania,” kampin veror që ka bërë bashkë 100 fëmijë nga i gjithë vendi e 10 instruktorë nga SHBA” (ABC News, 2022)

  • “Korça pret “Code for Albania,” kampin veror që ka bërë bashkë 100 fëmijë nga i gjithë vendi e 10 instruktorë nga SHBA” (Albeu, 2022)

  • “Kampi veror teknologjik dyjavor në Korçë” (Youtube, 2022)

  • “Me vajza dhe djem aktivë në vetëpunësimin përmes teknologjisë, angazhimin me art për të gjithë dhe përfshirjen në sport” (Facebook, 2022)

  • “EPOKA UNIVERSITY HOSTS "CODE FOR ALBANIA 2019", A 3-YEAR COMPUTER SCIENCE AND DESIGN THINKING PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (Epoka University, 2019)

Our Local Partner

 

alphaPlan’s vision of 100,000 Coders for Albania 2030 aims to increase the number of coders in the country by advocating four goals:

  • Including computer science from elementary school and setting up the necessary infrastructure.

  • Organizing a national competition and programming fast-track for the most talented youth.

  • Creating accessible coding boot camps for youth who want to enter the tech job market.

  • Providing tech accessibility and internet connection for youth.

AlphaPlan believes that these will give the necessary support to extend the community of coders and also raise its future local leaders.

Past & Present Program Sponsors

Bashkia Korçë (Korçë Municipality) is a municipality in southeastern Albania, serving as the seat of Korçë County.

World Vision Albania works on behalf of the most vulnerable children and communities in Albania responding to their needs.

Epoka University is a leading higher education institution in Albania, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields.

Global Albanians Foundation helps local nonprofits in Albanian homeland countries access the funding, tools, and the support they need to become more effective.

UNICEF Albania supports government reforms, civil society initiatives and research that help all children to enjoy their human rights.

Vodafone Albania SH.A is a major telecommunications company based in Tirana, Albania. It is part of the Vodafone Group.