The Welsh Assembly Government’s digital inclusion initiative, Communities @One has been short-listed as a finalist in the European e-Inclusion Awards.
Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews paid tribute to the hard work of everyone involved in the initiative particularly staff and volunteers who work with people in some of Wales’ most deprived communities to help them access new technologies.
Established by the European Commission, the 2008 European e-Inclusion Awards celebrate the best and most imaginative uses of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Leighton Andrews said:
Communities @One helps people in the most disadvantaged communities in Wales get access to new technologies so they can fulfil their social, economic and cultural potential.
Engaging with deprived communities so that they can make best use of current and emerging digital opportunities is key to tackling social exclusion.
There are some wonderful examples of how local projects have made technology relevant to people’s lives whether it’s relating the history of their community through digital storytelling, organising groups online, learning about email, creating websites or other ideas which are inclusive and improve skills and knowledge.
I am delighted the Communities @One initiative has been recognised for its innovative use of information and communication technology in the way in which it supports community development.
Communities @One is administered by the Wales Co-operative Centre, Chief Executive Simon Harris said:
The award short-listing is recognition of the hard work that the Communities @One team and the 214 funded projects around Wales have put in over the last few years.
For example, we put in place a team of Brokers to work with community groups and voluntary sector organisations to determine local need and the best way to address those needs. It’s that kind of approach that has put us in the ‘best practice’ bracket.
We all have an important part to play in helping people to engage with digital technology in ways that are relevant to their lives and, subsequently, keeping Wales at the forefront of developments in this field.
