Networks and cities' news

Bridging the Digital Divide: Insights from Festival della Cultura Tecnica 2023

In December 2023, the Festival della Cultura Tecnica implemented its challenging program , focusing on the theme of Sustainable Development Goal 10: "Reducing Inequalities." The event, organized by the Metropolitan City of Bologna and various partners, sought to go in depth into the complex relations between technology, science, and integrated knowledge in the pursuit of equity and inclusion. A key highlight of the festival was the discussion on digitalization and its implications, shedding light on the challenges faced in the Apennine region. 

 

Second Transnational Meeting in person in Torres Vedras

On April 15th, 16th, and 17th, the second transnational meeting of the DIGI-INCLUSION network was held in Torres Vedras, Portugal and was attended by the network's Lead Expert, Ian Graham and the following delegations from all the network partners:

- Mollet del Vallès (Network leader)
 

- Jelgava Municipality (Latvia)
 

- Municipality of Alexandroupolis (Greece)
 

- Gdansk Entrepreneurship Foundation (Poland)
 

- Municipality of Iași (Romania)
 

- Boulogne sur mer Développement Côte de Opale (France)
 

- Lepida ScpA (Italy)
 

- Municipality of Torres Vedras (Portugal)
 

- Department of Development and International Projects of the Canton of Zenica-Doboj (DDIP ZDC) (Bosnia and Herzegovina

URBACT Local Group (ULG) Meetings: Fostering Collaboration and Digital Inclusion

In the realm of urban development, fostering collaboration and inclusivity is paramount to crafting effective strategies for growth and innovation. Within the DIGI-INCLUSION network, and indeed across all Integrated Action Plan networks of the URBACT program, URBACT Local Groups (ULG) emerge as linchpins for co-producing city strategies and Action Plans. The primary aim of the ULG is to convene various stakeholders, each with their own interests and viewpoints, to identify issues, establish policy priorities, and devise practical solutions in the most effective manner possible, using the Problem Tree method – to systematically identify and analyze the root causes of issues -. So far, there are two remarkable experiences by our DIGI-INCLUSION network partners: Gdańsk Entrepreneurship Foundation (Poland) and Jelgava Local Municipality (Latvia), where ULG meetings have catalyzed transformative change and paved the way for a more digitally inclusive future.

Green light!

Same Journey; new stages…

As I write this, I’ve just changed trains - moving to the next phase of a journey to another country in Europe. Whilst this current train journey is not related to the Digi-Inclusion project, that is a very different situation to the months before the New Year, when Digi-Inclusion travel was pretty much all I knew!

The initial period of any URBACT project is an intense yet rewarding experience, and that time last year was no exception – getting to see first-hand the starting point of all our nine project partners in the network, visiting each one in turn to meet their municipal teams, local stakeholders and partners, and to get a sense of the place and it’s local context.

Promoting Digital Inclusion: “Pla de Barris” Initiative in Mollet de Vallès

In an era in which digital literacy is indispensable for social inclusion and participation, Mollet de Vallès City Council, Lead Partner of DIGI-INCLUSION network, has taken a significant stride in bridging the digital divide through the implementation of "Pla de Barris" initiative. This endeavor, harmonized with the broader activities of the DIGI-INCLUSION network, seeks to equip citizens with basic digital skills, fostering autonomy and engagement in the digital realm. 

Building a Digital Community House: Bridging Generational Gaps through Digital Volunteer Initiatives

During the first partner meeting in Mollet del Vallès, our DIGI-INCLUSION network Italian partner, Lepida, shared a good practice about a training project on soft skills involving students and elderly, which involves IIS Belluzzi Fioravanti, a high school in Bologna, and Centro Antartide, an organization promoting social innovation in partnership with the Local Health Authority of Bologna.

In an effort to promote digital inclusion and connect generations, volunteers have come together to create a unique initiative known as "Let's Build a Digital Community House." This project, carried out in various locations, including the Croce del Biacco house in the Graf San Donato neighborhood, a senior center near a school, the Aula Falcone and Borsellino in Borgo Panigale, and the Tassinari room in the Municipality headquarters, demonstrates the power of local-level communication and actuation.

The initiative encompasses two main modalities: the Digital Support and Digital Practice Group. During these sessions, volunteers assist elderly individuals in resolving their technological doubts, empowering them to navigate the digital world with confidence.