Digital Xtra is a registered charity whose goal is for every young person in Scotland to have access to innovative, creative, and meaningful extracurricular computing and AI activities regardless of their gender, background, or where they live.
TECH FOR ALL!
Backed by industry, government, and individuals, Digital Xtra supports the start-up and scale-up of extracurricular computing initiatives across Scotland to boost interest in computing science and AI among young people aged 16 years and under. In particular, the charity aims to Increase diversity and inclusion of young people from:
areas often excluded from digital technology activities through lack of local resources or geography
groups underrepresented in the digital technologies sector
OUR AIMS
INSPIRE
Inspire the next generation to understand and innovate with technology, not simply use it, by supporting high-quality extracurricular initiatives that also help young people realise the breadth of careers these skills can provide.
ENABLE
Enable exciting and meaningful computing initiatives for young people across Scotland, especially groups underrepresented in digital technologies or areas often excluded through lack of resources or local facilities.
ENGAGE
Engage industry with supported initiatives, giving professionals and young people the opportunity to connect in informal and creative settings helping provide context and insight for the skills being learned.
OUR WORK
From 2026, Digital Xtra will develop a network of community coding hubs that will offer computing initiatives for young people, instruction for educators, and resources for other local clubs.
From 2016 to 2026, Digital Xtra awarded £1,189,000 to 210 extracurricular computing initiatives across Scotland allowing thousands of children and young people to positively engage with tech.
Code Like Kids is a hands-on learning opportunity for industry professionals. It features several popular coding devices and activities used by young people, and requires no previous coding experience.
Ethics in Tech enlightens young people about the importance of ethics in digital technologies. Interactive activities explore algorithmic bias; online safety and security; and the role of ethics in industry.
OUR PROGRAMMES
Digital Xtra is a Scottish charity dedicated to increasing the provision of extracurricular computing activities for young people. Since 2016, it has delivered a variety of programmes and activities including its popular 'Grant Awards’ programme; activities focussed on ‘Ethics in Tech’; activities for industry in ‘Code Like Kids’; and its newest strategy, ‘Code Xtra’.
Read about every initiative supported by Digital Xtra on ‘Our Programmes’ page.
XTRA XTRA!
OUR PARTNERS
