#Gemma

Digital Inclusion for citizens in rural areas

Abstract

Gemma is addressed to the citizens of the most rural areas of the regional territory, especially to the smaller Municipalities, because it aims to exploit digital competences as means for inclusion. In fact, it intends to contain the problem linked to the low diffusion of the Internet and the scarce use of e-gov tools in Umbria, in order to achieve the results hoped for by the Digital Agenda. Gemma intends to carry out digital animation actions in the rural areas of the Umbria region in Italy, for which information technologies – if well exploited and used – would really represent an opportunity to “reduce the distances” with public services and institutions, seen too often as distant even though, very often, they could be reached with a simple “click”. To do this, the project will directly reach the citizens where they daily live, in well-known venues of the territories, and providing short collective learning experiences aimed at empowerment and awareness, instead of structured training courses that could be less motivating and easy to attend. The project is implemented by a consortium of 8 partners operating at local or national level. Specifically, it involves: 3 Municipalities, 2 public schools, 1 VET and AE centre – Giove Informatica, the regional branch of ANCI – the national association of the Italian municipalities, a Foundation expert in digital education initiatives – FondazioneGolinelli. The methodologies foreseen in the project are not the ones usually in place for transferring competences to citizens. The project main learning methodology will be the collective learning (from Local Coaches, Digital Volunteers and facilitators), to be carried out in informal and itinerant places (senior centres, youth centres, schools but also bars or associations). The principle is that informal learning has to reach the user where the user is, starting from a \”node\” that citizens can access freely and for free and where they will find Digital Volunteer to support. Moreover, the project foresees a Hackathon for each of the social areas involved, where digital volunteers will be called to propose innovative solutions for supporting the use of online e-gov services by citizens and also by specific targets. These two project elements will allow the creation of original contents and learning methodologies as well as means for active participation in local communities.

Target group:

Elderly people; Unemployed and those facing social problems; Marginalised young people and children

Country:

Italy

Website:

Progetto Gemma

Stakeholders involved

Umbria Region and DigiPASS Umbria, municipalities, public schools, ANCI, VET and AE centres.

Further information

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