kood/Järva – Learning Initiative of 2025

The Estonian Association of Adult Educators Andras has recognised kood/Järva this year with a national Special Prize for Learning Initiative of 2025.

kood/Järva began five years ago with the ambition to bring modern and practical programming education to Central Estonia. The goal has always been to provide both young people and adults with the opportunity to acquire practical, in-demand skills that are highly valued on the labour market.

Bringing this vision to life has only been possible thanks to the key partners – local municipalities, SA Järvamaa, and kind-hearted individuals – who have stood behind kood/Järva every step of the way.

kood/Järva is opening new career paths for people across Central Estonia by offering flexible and practical IT training that supports lifelong learning and brings new talent and energy into the region.

While studies are already in full swing, recent months have also seen the completion of a modern study environment. The renovation has created facilities that support a hands-on learning approach and encourage both independent and collaborative work. The newly updated learning centre will be officially opened in just a couple of weeks.

This recognition – along with each new milestone – reaffirms that kood/Järva plays a central role in shaping the future skills landscape of Central Estonia.

//kood was founded in Jõhvi, Estonia in 2021, with the aim of making technology education accessible to everyone. Now, students can study in Jõhvi, Võru and Paide. Its 12–15 month curriculum is based on self-directed and peer-to-peer learning, covering full-stack software development, teamwork and problem solving. Students can later specialise in fields such as cybersecurity, data analysis, mobile applications, and AI.

So far, //kood has welcomed more than 1,200 students in Estonia with over 350 graduates – nearly two-thirds of whom are now working in the technology sector. Students represent over 30 different nationalities and 21% are women. You can find //kood peer-to-peer learning method and curriculum also in Finland, Ukraine and Kenya.

In 2025, the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications recognised //kood as one of the best entrepreneurship promoters in the country.

The accessibility of IT education is supported by Skaala, Swedbank, Wise, Kaamos, LHV, SEB, Barrus, SA Võrumaa Arenduskeskus, SA Järvamaa, ESTDEV and others.