COMPANIES & STRATEGIES - TECHNOLOGY
Bridging the gap

Four digital inclusion initiatives

Written by Tracy Heindrichs

Published on 10.07.2022

Many people are not digital natives and need help with navigating the online world. Photo: Shutterstock

Many people are not digital natives and need help with navigating the online world. Photo: Shutterstock

Digitalisation in the workplace but also in private tasks such as administrative procedures is making life easier for many, but some social groups struggle to keep up due to lack of knowledge, resources or inclusion. These four initiatives aim to bridge the gap.  

Wide

ICT is typically a male-dominated field: in 2021, only 19.7% of Luxembourg’s ICT experts were women. Women in Digital Empowerment (Wide) is an initiative which aims to close that gender gap. An NGO founded in 2013 and a social enterprise since 2022, Wide teaches women networking, technological skills and building confidence. This way women, feeling supported in their choice, might more readily go towards an ICT position. Now the enterprise also offers companies training and services in digital skills, as well as gender equality and entrepreneurship. “We believe that, in 2022, an increasing number of people will consider a career change,” for which digital and entrepreneurial skills will open many doors, Wide told Delano. Delano talked to the company in more depth.

School 42

Already present in 25 countries and 42 campuses, 42 has decided to set up shop in Luxembourg as a part of the grand duchy’s Digital Learning Hub. The coding school’s entry requirement reflects its educational philosophy: “real openness to all and contributing to social integration,” 42 told Delano. Courses are free, and there are no prerequisites in terms of skills or diplomas. Courses can be taken at any time of the day, seven days a week, so that students from all walks of life with any kind of schedule can enrol. 42 doesn’t offer traditional classes though. Instead, the school pushes students to work in groups and collaborate to make the most of their three-year programme.

Digital Inclusion Luxembourg

Laptops give users access to work, information and education, easing their inclusion in society. Supported by the integration and family ministry since 2022, Digital Inclusion Luxembourg helps people in need by supplying refurbished digital equipment. The NGO was founded in 2016 to support refugees but over time evolved to include others. This year it also helped Ukrainian refugees.

GoldenMe

For most people, navigating the internet is a no-brainer. But with administrative tasks and social interactions going online, older generations may feel left out. This is where NGO GoldenMe steps in. Social life can change post-retirement. For some, it’s an opportunity to try out new hobbies; for others, retirement can be isolating. “For expats, it’s even harder than for Luxembourgish people,” GoldenMe told Delano in a previous exchange. Through workshops, courses, newsletters and individual support, the NGO helps older citizens connect with others online and escape social isolation. The initiative also collaborated with Esch commune on the E-Senior 2.0 project, where the local TV station broadcast tutorials in June to explain the internet and smartphones to complete beginners.

Delano talked to GoldenMe about the evolution of its NGO here. 

This article first appeared in the July 2022 ICT supplement of Delano magazine.