DIGITAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE

This £3.5million initiative will tackle digital inclusion by creating pilot "digital communities" to connect homes to the Internet in two disadvantaged areas of Scotland. The objective is to assess how individual access to the Internet can transform opportunities for people living in these communities, by developing new ways of accessing learning, work, shopping and leisure.

The initiative was announced as one of four initiatives at the launch of the Digital Inclusion Strategy in September 2001. Two communities will be selected by a competition open to Local Authorities. The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander, has written to Local Authorities inviting expressions of interest proposing one community each. Communities will be expected to develop a vision, coherent strategy and development plan as a part of their bid. The two winning bids will be announced in March 2002.

The key elements of the initiative will be:

• Provision of entry level PCs, software and web access for up to 2,000 homes in each community;
  
• Development of links with schools based ICT and web access initiatives;
  
• Development of a community web portal for each community with local content relevant to that community - including relevant online public and commercial services;
  
• Provision of training to increase the level of ICT and web skills;
  
• Promotion to raise awareness of the benefits of the web;
  
• Creation of a network of local people to provide ongoing support.

Selection

In order to maximise the learning opportunities, two different types of disadvantaged community will be chosen - one rural and one urban. The rural community’s may be smaller than 2000 households, or could extend over a wider geographic area, or could be composed of a cluster of villages and settlements.

Key criteria for selection of projects would include the following:

• A compelling vision of how becoming a digital community will benefit the community and the individuals in it - tackling social deprivation and widening opportunities;
  
• An achievable and practical plan for achieving that vision;
  
• A broadly based partnership - which includes the key players (e.g. local authority, schools, private sector etc) who can make the initiative happen in that community;
  
• Deprivation levels in the community;
  
• A comprehensive and sustainable future management plan.

This initiative will:

• Aim to use ICTs to help tackle social exclusion in these communities;
  
• Create a "critical mass" of Web users in each community;
  
• Contribute to achieving universal access to the Web;
  
• Increase the take-up of computers and the Web in disadvantaged households;
  
• Increase ICT skills in disadvantaged communities;
  
• Increase community involvement to develop local online content and a local support network;
  
• Create partnerships with the private sector.

FAQ

Who can put in a bid?

The digital communities competition is open to the 32 local authorities within Scotland. We hope that they will work with other partners to submit a bid.

What is the deadline?

Expressions of interest from local authorities must be received by 30^th November 2001.

Who do they apply to?

Applications should be sent to Rona Hamilton, Digital Communities Project Manager, Digital Scotland, The Scottish Executive, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 6AT, (Telephone no. 0141 242 5562).

How many communities will there be?

There will be one urban and one rural. The rural community may consist of several villages.

How will the communities be picked?

The criteria for selection will be based upon a range of factors, including deprivation levels and economic development. Proposals should also demonstrate joined up working with partner organisations such as local community groups and voluntary organisations, local schools and the private sector.

What will individuals in the selected area get?

Each household will get an entry-level PC with a printer, software, training and 1 year’s web access.

How will the community benefit?

2000 households will receive web access and funding from the Executive will develop of a community web portal for each community with local content relevant to that community - including relevant online public and commercial services

Why PC’s?

Ultimately no other device does as much as a PC. A dial up connection through a PC and modem can offer higher quality online services than many of the alternatives. The PC offers the most flexibility and over the long term is the best device for encouraging development of ICT skills.

How much money is available?

Most of the support from the Executive will be in kind - in the form of the computers, printers and software. Funding will also be available for training, promotion and to run a project implementation team. The total value of support from the Executive for each community will not exceed £1.75 million.

What about security issues?

It is important the digital communities are well thought out. We are keen to discuss this matter further with the winning bids to ensure that the communities have a sense of ownership of the equipment and the project.

How can the private sector become involved?

Companies should contact the local authority in the area they are interested in or they can contact Rona Hamilton, Digital Communities Project Manager, Digital Scotland, The Scottish Executive, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 6AT, (Telephone no. 0141 242 5562).