SUPPORTING

In Belgium, almost 10% of people aged 16 to 74 have never used the Internet. For 39% of the population, basic digital skills are either non-existent or low. This phenomenon particularly affects people with low levels of education and modest incomes, as well as the elderly. Women are also very affected by the digital divide. In general, 60% of Belgians would like to take a training course on the Internet and computers so they can keep up to speed.

Supporting citizens' digital appropriation affects all citizens, but in particular job seekers, young people, senior citizens, people with disabilities, people in precarious situations and women. It is important to keep in mind that some categories may combine several vulnerability criteria.

Various actions are carried out to support these target audiences, such as the purchase or distribution of computer equipment, calls for projects, publications (guide, etc.) and also:

The "Digital Brussels" call for projects: the call for projects focused on raising awareness of the digital appropriation of people removed from digital technology. 30 projects have been granted between €5,000 and €15,000, for a total amount of €390,000.
The digital inclusion directory: listings, created since 2019, with the aim of directing the inhabitants of Brussels to Digital Inclusion stakeholders, will be grouped together in a directory distributed in the municipalities, PCSW, Actiris antennas and Brussels non-profit organisations in 2022.

More information in the 2021 Annual Report (FR/NL).

Job seekers

Many COPIL and WG stakeholders, such as Actiris, Bruxelles-Formation and DigitalCity, are working on digital support for job seekers.

More information in the 2021 Annual Report (FR/NL).

Young people

Apart from the distribution of computer equipment in Brussels secondary schools, the BRIC and the DIC are working on different projects to help young people who are removed from the digital world. More information in the 2021 Annual Report.

More information in the 2021 Annual Report (FR/NL).

Senior citizens

The DIC works with non-profit organisations, the private sector and regional organisations (IrisCare) to encourage and support senior citizens in their digital activities.

Through the materialisation of certified DPSs and the supply of mobile equipment, the Region encourages DPSs to develop actions outside their premises, whether in schools, homes or directly in the homes of inhabitants.

More information in the 2021 Annual Report (FR/NL).

Persons with disabilities

The Digital Inclusion Coordination has been involved in the creation (still in progress) of the Handistreaming Plan of the Brussels-Capital Region. It also partnered with Passwerk (FR/NL) internally and conducted a mission within the BRIC, in particular with the IRISbox tester team.

In collaboration with CAWaB, the Digital Inclusion Coordination also published this year the "Inclusive Recommendations for the Brussels-Capital Region"(FR/NL). These recommendations aim to describe good practices in terms of digital accessibility on websites, in order to guarantee access to essential services for citizens with disabilities

People in a precarious situation

The Digital Inclusion Coordination was involved in creating the regional plan dedicated to support for single-parent families by proposing a series of actions to be put in place, in line with the DAP.

Women

The Digital Inclusion Coordination is part of the regional Women In Tech ecosystem and the Women In Digital 2021-2026 strategy at the federal level. It takes part in a large number of workshops with the aim of raising the awareness of girls and women to IT in general and making women aware of IT professions.

In 2021, DIC, in collaboration with Women In Tech and Innoviris, co-funded the documentary "Casser les Codes" which aimed to promote women in IT.

More information in the 2021 Annual Report (FR/NL).