Digital Angel Project - Germany
About the initiative
Digitaler Engel (“Digital Angel”) is a nationwide project by Deutschland sicher im Netz e.V. (DsiN), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. As part of Germany’s digital transformation strategy, the initiative promotes digital inclusion for older adults, helping them engage confidently and safely with digital technologies.
Through mobile consulting units and online resources, Digital Angel offers personal, on-site support to seniors, especially in rural and underserved areas. The project focuses on building digital skills, fostering trust, and enabling independent use of everyday digital tools. By bringing assistance directly into familiar community settings, Digital Angel ensures that digital participation is accessible, approachable, and tailored to the needs of older people.
Since its launch, the initiative has reached tens of thousands of individuals across Germany, empowering them to navigate the digital world with greater confidence and autonomy.
Main Objectives
• Strengthen digital skills: Practical guidance on online banking, secure messaging, smart home tools, and online appointments.
• Promote cybersecurity: Raise awareness about data protection, phishing, and safe online behaviour.
• Enable participation: Foster digital contact with family and friends and access to online leisure services.
• Reduce barriers: Provide low-threshold, local support in familiar community settings.
Why is it a good practice?
The Digital Angel project is a standout example of good practice in inclusive digital outreach. By combining mobile outreach with personalized guidance, the project effectively bridges the digital divide, empowering over 25,000 people to engage confidently with everyday digital tools such as online banking and messaging. Its low-threshold approach, which offers support in familiar settings and is tailored to individual needs, builds trust and reduces fear of technology.
The inclusion of over 1,500 trained multipliers ensures long-term sustainability and community-based support. Furthermore, the project’s adaptability as demonstrated by its successful replication in Thuringia, highlights its scalability and relevance across diverse regions.
By fostering intergenerational partnerships and minimizing environmental impact through digital materials and efficient travel planning, Digital Angel not only strengthens digital skills but also combats loneliness and promotes social participation. This holistic, inclusive, and environmentally conscious model serves as a powerful example of how digital transformation can be made accessible to all, regardless of age, background, or location.
