Basic digital skills for citizens initiative by Red.es

The initiative Basic Digital Competences for Citizens, promoted by Red.es, is positioned as one of the most relevant programs at national level to combat the digital divide. Through a network of collaborating entities and a strong territorial implementation, the program seeks to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the process of digital transformation, with a special focus on vulnerable groups.

Objective and scope: Mass training for a more inclusive society

The programme aims to train 200,000 people across the national territory, especially those at risk of digital exclusion.

To this end, an extensive training network led by 10 reference entities, selected through a public call, is deployed, among which the following stand out:

• La Caixa Foundation (older people)
• ONCE Foundation (people with disabilities)
• Fundación Secretariado Gitano (vulnerable groups)
• Adecco Training
• Telefónica Digital Education

These entities develop innovative training projects in content, methodologies and scope, ensuring high territorial capillarity, even in less populated areas.

Strategic focus: Bridging the digital divide from basic training

The initiative focuses on the development of basic digital skills, which are key to everyday, social and working life.

The training content includes:

• Use of social networks
• Electronic banking
• Online administrative procedures
• Secure Digital Commerce
• Employment platforms
• Responsible use of technology

The aim is to move towards universal digital literacy, promoting autonomy and inclusion in the digital society.

Qualitative impact: Personalized training with real impact

The program stands out for its adapted pedagogical approach:

• Small group and face-to-face training
• Personalized attention according to the profile of the students
• Practical and day-to-day content

This model facilitates effective digital integration, allowing participants to gain confidence, autonomy and useful skills in their daily lives.

Key components: inclusive and adapted methodology

Differential elements of the program include:

• Pedagogical adaptation to specific groups
• Practical approach oriented to the real application
• Face-to-face training to improve the educational experience
• Collaboration with specialized entities in each group

All this guarantees a high quality of training and a better transfer of learning.

Results and achievements: quantifiable impact and high satisfaction

The results achieved reflect the success of the programme:

• More than 34,000 students trained (as of September)
• 60% female participation
• More than 4,900 training editions throughout Spain
• 87% satisfaction among participants

Students particularly highlight the practical usefulness of content and the increase in their digital independence.

Replicability and scalability: a model for digital well-being

The program has a high potential for replicability:

• Can be applied in different territories and contexts
• It is adaptable to different groups and levels of competences
• Promotes the concept of digital well-being, understood as the ability to operate safely, efficiently and healthily in the digital environment

Its design makes it an easily scalable initiative nationally and internationally.

Popularity and scope: dissemination strategy with high capillarity

The dissemination is carried out in a coordinated way between Red.es and the participating entities, through:

• Campaigns in traditional and digital media
• Use of social networks and institutional channels
• Actions in local and associative environments

As the target audience has limited access to digital channels, the training is also promoted in:

• Municipal centres
• Associations of elders
• NGOs and social entities

This ensures a broad and effective scope, especially in groups with a higher risk of exclusion.

Why is this good practice?

This initiative stands out as good practice because:

• Contributes directly to reducing the digital divide
• Promotes social inclusion and equal opportunities
• Combines national scale with personalized attention
• Generates real impact on citizens' daily lives
• Boosts the digital autonomy of vulnerable groups
• Promotes the safe and responsible use of technology