APPLY NOW FOR CODE XTRA
Digital Xtra is working with select delivery partners to develop a network of community coding and AI hubs across Scotland. Each hub provides extracurricular computing initiatives for young people and the community, offers instruction and guidance for educators and community leaders, and serves as a resource centre for other local clubs.
BRINGING CODING & AI
INTO SCOTLAND’S COMMUNITIES
Expressions of Interest are NOW OPEN for organisations
interested in hosting one of four new Code Xtra hubs set to open in early 2027!
Since 2016, Digital Xtra managed a grant awards programme which saw over £1.2m awarded to 210 computing initiatives across Scotland. In turn, recipients positively engaged tens of thousands of children and young people in coding, robotics, machine learning, cyber, and games development while highlighting the future career opportunities these skills provide. Through this, the charity acquired a clear idea of what works well and what more could be done to further develop Scotland’s ecosystem of extracurricular tech and coding clubs. Digital Xtra has now taken these lessons and applied them to a new phase for the charity.
In January 2026, Digital Xtra announced its new strategy, Code Xtra, whereby the charity works with selected delivery partners thereby developing a national network of community-based coding & AI hubs. The initial four hubs were launched in August 2026 in Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, and North Edinburgh.
Through this new strategy, Digital Xtra will create a stronger, more collaborative and sustainable ecosystem of extracurricular initiatives. By bringing together keen delivery partners under a common vision and pedagogy, Digital Xtra continues to drive how non-formal technology-based learning is delivered and supported across Scotland.
What we are looking to achieve -
Each Code Xtra community coding & AI hub will be at the centre of supporting grassroots computing and tech clubs and activities in their local area by:
providing high quality extracurricular coding and AI activities for the community
offering instruction and guidance for educators and club leaders to develop confidence delivering engaging and meaningful tech activities
serving as a resource centre with equipment and activities to help other grassroots clubs and organisations diversify and attract new participants
Digital Xtra repeatedly saw this hub-and-spoke model successfully employed during the charity’s previous grant awards programme and are now aiming to implement it in communities across Scotland.
Once fully operational, each community coding & AI hub will become a keystone in the growth of both local and national ecosystems driving non-formal computing engagement and education. By bringing together keen delivery partners under a common vision and pedagogy, Digital Xtra will continue to drive how non-formal technology-based learning is delivered and supported across Scotland.
Code Xtra is specifically focussed on increasing provision of extracurricular opportunities which teach young people computing or digital technologies skills outside the realm of the core school education curriculum; whilst providing a safe, fun, and sociable environment. Activities which focus on other digital skills, such as digital literacy or digital media, do not fall under the remit of Code Xtra.
Please read the Code Xtra FAQ page and Project Guidelines for more details.
Interested in hosting a Code Xtra community coding & AI hub?
Click below for more info:
To ensure Code Xtra is successful and sustainable, Digital Xtra is seeking quality delivery partners (referred to as Lead Organisations in the Expression of Interest) who share our passion to empower young people with critical digital skills. We are looking for organisations from the public or private sectors who can host, manage, and maintain a Code Xtra community coding & AI hub while making a demonstrable, positive impact on the digital skills landscape.
Code Xtra hubs also do not need to be standalone projects, and Digital Xtra is interested in seeing them run alongside or incorporated into other organisation’s existing programmes and strategies. As such, community coding & AI hubs could be delivered independently or as part of a larger, pre-existing digital skills programme where there is clear added value.
Digital Xtra’s Core Objective remains to “inspire young people to learn digital technologies skills through high quality, exciting extracurricular activities, thus expanding Scotland’s future talent pipeline”. Expressions of Interest are particularly encouraged from organisations who can effectively demonstrate they can also reach young people unengaged with digital technologies due to barriers such as gender, geography, background, or socioeconomic factors.