CoderDojo was the only Irish based organisation to win the award this year. The non-profit network of free coding clubs for young people, which originated in Cork, has now over 1000 clubs in 63 countries worldwide, 630 of those clubs are Europe-based. The European Parliament awards the European Citizen's Prize every year since 2008 to projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border cooperation and promote understanding within the EU.

Mary Moloney, CoderDojo's CEO said that with "more than 600 CoderDojo clubs active in European countries, it's great recognition for the amazing, kind and talented community of volunteers and kids to receive this award. We hope that this will inspire others to get involved in supporting the movement and in helping to launch more Dojos". "The goal of the movement is that all kids are provided with the opportunity to participate in the world of technology and to be empowered to enable the next wave of technology based change," Mary Moloney added.

MEP Seán Kelly who has been a supporter of the benefits of technology in empowering youth, has launched the EU CoderDojo Ambassador initiative to improve computer coding access for young people around Europe through involving other EU MEPs.

"I want to congratulate CoderDojo, winner of the European Citizen's Prize for 2016. The clubs have inspired thousands of children and given them the confidence to pursue a career in technology and entrepreneurship. It is a wonderful success story – a truly deserved accolade," MEP Kelly said.

Award ceremonies will take place in each of the winners' member states as well as a central event in Brussels in October.