Could you be a European e-Inclusion Champion?
eInclusion Award!
Have you created or implemented an initiative that has used Information and Communication Technology (ICT) or digital technology to positively impact socially disadvantaged or digitally excluded communities?
If so, you should enter the European e-Inclusion Awards 2008!
Your initiative could be recognised as one of the 35 best e-inclusion projects across Europe and showcased to the rest of the EU as an example of good practice. Additionally, by reaching this stage you could go on to win one of seven individual category awards that will be presented at the e-Inclusion Awards ceremony in Vienna on 1 December 2008.
Link: http://www.e-inclusionawards.eu/
European Commission launch the 2008 European e-Inclusion Awards to help fight the digital divide
The European Commission has just launched the first ever European e-Inclusion Awards. As part of the European Commission’s e-Inclusion Initiative, the Awards will celebrate the best and most imaginative uses of Information and Communications Technology to reduce digital and social exclusion.
Digital technologies are an essential part of daily life. We use them at work, in day-to-day relationships, in dealing with public services, and a lot more besides. They touch our lives in ways which we are often unaware of, or don’t even think about. Yet an estimated 1 in 3 Europeans fail to benefit from new technologies.
Overcoming this ‘digital exclusion’ is not just a social necessity, it is estimated that it could be worth up to €85 billion to European companies and governments over the next five years. The European e-Inclusion Awards aim to inspire progress and to encourage industry, governments and other organisations to exploit information and communication technologies to combat social and digital exclusion.
The European e-Inclusion Awards are open to organisations in the public, business and voluntary sector or civil society. There are seven competition categories:
“ Ageing Well
“ Marginalised Young People
“ Geographic Inclusion
“ Cultural Diversity
“ Digital Literacy
“ e-Accessibility
“ Inclusive Public Services
Entries will close on the 12th September 2008 and five finalists in each category will be invited to exhibit at the Ministerial Conference on E-Inclusion to be held in Vienna in December 2008 as part of the “e-Inclusion:Be Part of It!” campaign (see http://ec.europa.eu/einclusion ). The overall winners will be announced at the Awards dinner and ceremony.
For more information on the Awards or to register, contact the awards team on +44 207 234 3549 or visit the website www.e-inclusionawards.eu
Award Category Descriptions
The European e-Inclusion Awards 2008 are designed for initiatives and projects that have used ICT and digital technology to impact positively on socially disadvantaged or digitally excluded groups.
Ageing Well Award
Encouraging and developing increased participation in society and the economy by older people, assisting them to stay actively engaged in their communities whether at work, with family or friends, developing new interests or skills, or volunteering. Improving their independence and quality of life by developing new ways of monitoring, supporting and communicating with them in their own homes, and providing ways of controlling their home environment.
Marginalised Young People
Reaching out to young people who are disadvantaged or marginalised from mainstream societies. Helping them to use digital technology in ways that improve their self-confidence and life-skills, and assisting them to engage with others in achieving purposeful goals.
Geographic Inclusion Award
Overcoming the disadvantages of living in remote areas, or bringing together communities of interest over a very large region; helping people in these circumstances to have the same quality of access to digital technologies and support to use them, as is available in larger population centres.
Cultural Diversity Award
Encouraging greater social and digital inclusion for minority ethnic groups, other culturally disadvantaged or excluded groups in majority populations, and for recent migrant populations. Helping these groups to gain confidence, learn new skills, or participate in wider society activity.
Digital Literacy Award
Developing the digital literacy and skills of previous non-users of ICT-related services, particularly people from disadvantaged groups including older people, people with disabilities or mental health difficulties, people in lower income and education groups, unemployed adults and disaffected young people.
e-Accessibility Award
Demonstrating the highest standards of accessibility and inclusivity in every aspect of the project, plus a commitment to attaining e-Accessibility in line with the EU guidance; meeting all the requirements and standards for convergence and interoperability in providing accessible and inclusive content.
Inclusive Public Services Award
Ensuring that ICT-based services have been planned and delivered to be more inclusive for citizens and customers, responding to their priorities and needs both at the outset and from feedback as the service delivery is developed (open only to organizations with a direct or commissioned responsibility for delivering public services).
Judging Criteria
Across the categories the judges will be looking for projects that best demonstrate the following characteristics:
Impact on the community
What positive impact has your project made on the community it serves and how has that impact been measured?
Innovative use of technology
How has your project been innovative? Is it the technology used, route to market, method of engagement or another element?
Embracing all users
How has your project encouraged greater accessibility or improved the user friendliness of digital technology for the community it serves?
Working with others
How has your project created partnerships with other organisations to improve the experience for all those involved and what are the benefits?
Sharing the learning and knowledge
How have the lessons you have learnt and knowledge gained been shared with other organisations to benefit the communities served?
Long term sustainability
What is the duration of your project and how does the funding model meet those commitments and obligations?
WOW factor
Why is your project amazing? Could it be the way it has come together, the people involved, the outcomes it has achieved, or something else?
