ConnectEd
Closing the Digital Gap
Project Details
- Topic: Social Inclusion
- Programme: Erasmus+ KA220-VET – Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training
- Sector: VET
- Project ID: pending
- Website: pending
- Start: 01/09/2024
- Finish: 31/08/2026
- Total Grant: 250,000.00 €
Project Description
The digital divide refers to the unequal access to and use of digital technologies, which disproportionately affects marginalised communities such as low-income individuals, rural populations, migrants and people with disabilities. As digital skills become increasingly essential for education, employment and civic participation, those who lack access are at a significant disadvantage.
This gap perpetuates social and economic inequalities and makes it more difficult for marginalised groups to integrate into society and the labour market. As highlighted by the European Council, low digital skills lead to exclusion from the labour market, while the rise of digitalisation continues to transform industries, creating both challenges and opportunities for these communities. Tackling the digital divide is essential to promoting social inclusion and achieving a fairer society, as highlighted in the EU’s Agenda 2030.
The ConnectEd project aims to bridge this digital divide by improving the digital skills of marginalised groups and provide VET trainers with innovative tools to train these groups.
Work Packages
- WP1 – Project Management
- WP2 – Digital Skills Proficiency Toolkit: Training materials + curriculum (in 3 proficiency levels) for VET trainers
- WP3 – The Digital Skills Hub – Online platform
- WP4 – Course to fight against digital gap in marginalised communities to enhance their employability
- WP5 – Dissemination and awareness raising
Project Partners
Coordinator
🇪🇸 GABINETE DE RECOLOCACIÓN INDUSTRIAL
Partners
🇬🇷 THE HIVE P.C.
🇵🇹 INOVA+ INNOVATION SERVICES, SA
🇮🇹 COSVITEC SOCIETA CONSORTILE ARL
🇨🇾 ADVISORY CENTER FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY-SYKESO
Participating Countries: 5
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Impact
The ConnectEd project aims to bridge this digital divide by improving the digital skills of marginalised groups, including the long-term unemployed, NEETs, migrants and women in rural areas, thereby increasing their employability and social inclusion. The project will also provide VET trainers with innovative tools to train these groups using real-life applications of digital skills. By improving the digital skills of disadvantaged people, ConnectEd also contributes to the EU’s Digital Education Action Plan, helping to create digitally literate VET trainers and learners while promoting social and economic inclusion.
The Hive 's Role
The Hive will play a central role throughout the life of the project, overseeing all activities from inception to completion. Specifically, The Hive will play a key role in developing both the Digital Skills Proficiency Toolkit and the Digital Skills Hub (online platform). Additionally, it will facilitate two focus groups and organize a local training for VET trainers, equipping them to effectively use the project’s deliverables. The Hive will also implement a three-level digital skills course tailored for marginalized groups, aimed at enhancing their employability.
