DigiTalent

The relationship between underprivileged groups and ICT is what can be called a worst-case scenario. These groups have low access to ICT, low usage levels and possess few digital skills. Most underprivileged individuals are part of a homogeneous ICT-poor network of other underprivileged individuals. They have few weak ties like colleagues, acquaintances or distant friends but many strong ties like nearby family and close friends. As a consequence, they have very few opportunities of use. Within their social network underprivileged groups rarely have the necessary material, cognitive and social resources to use ICT in a strategic way. Why should I email if there is no one to whom I can send an email? An additional barrier is that underprivileged groups rarely transcend this homogeneous but familiar social network because of too many negative experiences in the past. The continuous rejection by society, for example at the level of education or employment, has led to a loss of confidence, low levels of self-esteem, insecurity and the constant fear for rejection. Furthermore, learning barriers – low self-esteem, lack of confidence, learning difficulties, negative school experiences – prevent them from participating in education. The entrance barrier of formal education institutions is too high for underprivileged groups. This implies that other, more suited, places need to be found if one wishes to provide alternative ways of ICT-access to underprivileged groups.

The ‘DigiTalent’ project aims to organize, validate and exchange the competencies available at an individual and community level to increase and enhance digital competencies amongst vulnerable groups via a bottom-up approach (eg. NEET, not in employment, education and training). If focuses on the project implementation of two best practices in the United Kingdom (Digital Champions program, Making IT Personal project) and aims to adapt these projects to the context in Flanders.