The Colombian Federation of the Software and IT Industry (Fedesoft) has officially opened registration for the tenth edition of its National Programming Contest. The initiative aims to introduce high school students to technology and sharpen digital skills across the country.
Organized in partnership with the Network of Universities with Systems Engineering Programs (Redis) and supported by the Ministry of National Education, the program is open to schools nationwide for the 2026 cycle.
Targeting the digital skills gap
Over the last decade, the competition has become a primary vehicle for STEM education in Colombia. To date, the initiative has reached more than 2,700 schools and 12,500 students and teachers, while fostering over 4,300 technology project ideas with guidance from 950 industry mentors.
"More than a competition, this is a sector-wide commitment to the country's future," said Ximena Duque, executive president of Fedesoft. "For 10 years, we have worked so that thousands of young people discover technology as a life opportunity and to close the specialized talent gap that Colombia faces today."
Data from Cenisoft and the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (MinTIC) indicates that Colombia faces a deficit of more than 85,000 technology professionals. Industry experts project this figure could exceed 89,000 by 2030, particularly in high-demand fields like software development, data science, and artificial intelligence.
The 2025 edition of the contest demonstrated the high level of student interest, drawing participation from 497 schools across 30 departments. The program culminated in the selection of 10 finalists from over 2,100 participants.
The competition structure consists of three distinct stages. Participants receive free training in programming, software development, and computational thinking, followed by mentorship from academic and industry professionals. The final stage awards prizes to the most innovative solutions.
Projects are required to address real-world local problems while aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Topics range from environmental sustainability to mobility and social inclusion. In 2025, 40% of the semifinalist projects focused on environmental solutions, highlighting the priorities of the younger generation.
Fedesoft intends for this tenth anniversary edition to continue building a new generation of digital talent by emphasizing logical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Public and private schools interested in participating in the 2026 contest can register through the official Fedesoft website.
