Connect://able - Innovating Digital and Social Inclusion
Our Erasmus+ funded project «Connect://able - innovating digital and social inclusion» aims to empower citizens and fight social exclusion by improving digital skills and enabling disadvantaged people to participate in a digital-first society. Part of the project is to establish sustainable links between organisations for further collaboration, and such links are of great value in uncertain times.
- Project Duration: Connect://able will run for two and a half years, from November 2020 until June 2023.
- Project Partners: Bergen Public Library is working on this project with Blenders from Belgium, Aarhus Public Libraries from Denmark, and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL).
- Project Kick-Off: Bergen Public Library hosted a digital kick-off for Connect://able on January 6, 2021.
Next Library 2023
The Connect://able partners conducted two workshops at the Next Library 2023 festival. At Camp Connect://able, we presented the findings from the researchers of the Connect://able project. We also discussed digital and creative literacy, how to reach people with low digital skills, and the role of libraries in all of this. All professionals at Next Library were welcome to join this conversation, sharing their own digital technology project experiences and best practices. People could also participate in our podcast sessions. The final podcast will be made publicly available.
Research Report
Researchers from The Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) conducted research during the project, which resulted in this research report that you can read here:
From learning to participation
Many Europeans do not have the skills necessary to participate in a digital-first society. Improving digital skills and ensuring digital literacy is vital to maintain inclusive communities. Working with solutions to overcome the digital divide in Europe is an essential part of the Connect://able project.
Connect://able will explore the potential of digital technology as a tool to enhance social inclusion.
About the partners
Blenders is a social innovation organisation located in Turnhout, Belgium. They offer digital guidance to local citizens through various workshops and a telecentre with access to computers.
Aarhus Public Libraries have several years of experience with design thinking, which will be the main method for developing learning activities during Connect://able.
The Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) joins this project for research purposes. HVL will collect data from the entire project for a report study, which will offer valuable insights about digital and social inclusion.
We started an open network
You are welcome to join ODIN - Open Digital Inclusion Network on LinkedIn, to connect with other professionals and share experiences about digital learning and inclusion. ODIN was created as part of the Connect://able project.
Contact
Project Manager Johnny Holmvåg, johnny.holmvag@bergen.kommune.no.
Erasmus+ project card | Erasmus+ (europa.eu).