Skip to main content
Search by keyword
Good Practices

Rails Girls is a two-day free workshop aimed at women with little or no experience in programming and technology. The goal of the program is to reveal to as many women as possible a largely male-dominated industry.

The main idea is to show you that programming is a fun, interesting, exciting and very useful skill you can use in many different ways. We will help you create your first web application, in a pleasant atmosphere and under the guidance of experienced instructors.

This year the project held its 14th edition (in Sofia). For 14 consecutive years, the adaptation of this international initiative has contributed a lot to the digital space in Bulgaria.

Background and objectives

The project presents a successful approach and training, thanks to which several women who have previously hesitated have become involved in the field of programming and technology. The project promotes mainly 3 of the 4 pillars of the Coalition for Digital Skills and Opportunities. Rails Girls mainly emphasizes digital skills for all women, as there is an overwhelming minority in this area. The main driver of the event is the focus on education – the event strongly supports teaching and the transformation of digital skills training, creating a good environment for entering the digital sphere.

There is less emphasis on the digital skills of the workforce and ICT specialists, as good practices rely mostly on people joining without previous experience in this field. However, as the main goal is to bring more people into this field, in the long run the project largely contributes to the development and expansion of the digital skills field in the country where it is practiced.

In the region, and to some extent in part of the EU, despite some recent policy changes, there is still a large gender gap in some sectors. As technology and programming are some of the fastest growing sectors, the role of women needs to be promoted, not only because it leads to equality, but also because it encourages more people to join the sector, thereby further expanding it and providing new opportunities in the digital landscape.

Why is it good practice?

The initiative has been so successful because of the approach: the friendly and inspiring environment, as well as the opportunities it opens up, are encouraging more and more women to join the initiative. One of the most favorable things is the duration: people should not enroll in a course that lasts for months, but instead spend a small part of their time and give a chance to a new activity that they have always wanted to try.

In addition, so far this project has held 14 editions of the event in the capital of Bulgaria Sofia, 2 in Varna, 1 in Burgas and 1 in Vratsa.  This project is well described on social media and the website, giving more than enough information about its practice. The aim of the initiative is not to give a detailed course on programming, but rather to serve as a stepping stone that women interested in the digital sphere could use to gain a better perspective and enter the programming sector.

Good practice details

Target audience
Digital skills in education.
Digital skills for all
Digital technology / specialisation
Digital skill level
Geographic scope - Country
Bulgaria
Albania
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Industry - field of education and training
Basic programmes and qualifications
Geographical sphere
International initiative
Type of funding
Private