Skills Upload Jr drives digital inclusion for 10 million children across Europe

Vodafone Foundation has today announced the remarkable milestone of improving the lives of 10 million young people through the Skills Upload Jr programme (SUJ) since its inception in 2021.

The SUJ programme helps children and young adults across Europe gain the digital skills and confidence they need in life. Regardless of their background, gender, or geography, SUJ helps young people feel secure and empowered when using digital tools. Reaching them in dedicated training hubs, throughbespoke websites, in their schools and involving them in collaborative projects designed to inspire creative and critical thinking.

SUJ also equips teachers and youth workers with training, bespoke content, and tech tools, to ensure the application of digital skills across the entire curriculum, not just in IT or computer science classes.

As Joakim Reiter, Vodafone Trustee and Group External Affairs Director for Vodafone explains, “Having a positive impact on so many young lives is an achievement of which we are extremely proud, and is testament to Vodafone Foundation’s commitment to driving inclusion through digital education and our vision of connecting for good.”

He continues “Building on this milestone there is so much more we can do, continuing to work hard with our partners across Europe to ensure that an ever-growing number of children and young people can access the vital digital skills they need to successfully live their future lives. In this way we can deepen understanding how digital tools and services can be used safely and responsibly, and in turn help children navigate the digital landscape with confidence.”

The 10 million milestone was announced during the Skills Upload Challenge international showcase. The event formed the finale of the SUJ Challenge, which was turn was part of the SUJ programme, and which ran from November 2024 to February 2025.

This year, thousands of children aged six to nineteen entered the SUJ Challenge from Albania, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Türkiye. Each team developing innovative solutions to local community issues with a focus on the SDGs, inclusion, and digital skills.

The entries were assessed by local judges through written submissions, presentations at national events, hackathons and public debates. Resulting in one winning team selected from each country to attend the showcase event in Bucharest.

From eco AI solutions that correctly recognises and collects waste, to automated walkway systems that solve congestion around schools, or technology that ‘neutralises’ job interviews and eliminates unconscious bias in recruitment, the bright young minds who participated in the SUJ Challenge this year all used technology to connect for good.

Speaking about the achievements of those attending the special event in Bucharest, CEO of Vodafone Romania, Achilleas Kanaris said “Today’s Skills Upload Jr Challenge Showcase event has been an amazing experience for me. I have been astounded by the innovative solutions these children have presented, many of which even adult technology professionals would be proud of!”

He continues “It’s been a real pleasure to meet so many bright young people, all of whom represent what the Foundation is seeking to achieve through the SUJ programme. They have all, regardless of their age, gender or background, fully engaged with the digital tools and opportunities available to them, to explore their curiosity and learn more about the positive potential of the digital world.”

Alongside the work of the SUJ Programme and SUJ Challenge, another Foundation wide activity that contributed to the Foundation’s 10 million figure announced today, was the highly successful Kliick campaign. A series of online content that addresses a different topic related to the digital world each year – from digital balance to our relationship with AI.

Looking ahead, a new partnership with Save the Children will also grow the SUJ programme’s impact further still, focusing on resources for digital safety and wellbeing.

The full list of the winning entries in the 2025 Skills Upload Challenge:

Albania – An automated system to collect and transport waste, preventing it from entering Komani / Fierza Lake, using sensors and programmed movements to ensure efficiency

Germany - A discussion with an engaged AI robot about the topic of fake news.

Greece -Smart glasses using artificial intelligence to support those with visual impairments.

Italy - A platform that eliminates unconscious and conscious bias by making HR selection anonymous, purging resumes of personal information and using voice-transformed interviews.

Portugal - An animation explaining common online dangers for children in a rural of Portugal.

Romania - An eco AI application trained with 4000 pictures of waste to correctly categorize items for disposal and recycling.

Spain - An automated walkway designed to ensure safe school access, allowing vehicles to pass overhead while providing a safe space below for students and families.

Türkiye - An AI system to prevent, detect and repair water leaks and cracks.

For more information about the winners of this year’s Challenge contest, including short videos about their activities, see here Skills Upload Jr Challenge.

For more details about the wider SUJ programme see here Skills Upload Jr programme.