Digital Day – Thematic Day on the Opportunities and Challenges of Digitalisation – Sweden

Digitalidag (Digital Day) is an annual and national thematic day in Sweden, which in 2023, 375 actors participated and jointly arranged 1,000 activities in 216 municipalities. Over 15,000 people got involved in inspiring more people to want and be able to be part of the digital development. Industry, municipalities, public authorities, libraries, academia, civil society and other societal stakeholders are involved in building a digitally inclusive society for all. see their website
A broad movement to raise digital skills
Digitalidag was founded in 2019 to inspire more people to develop their digital skills. The commitment has been strong since its inception and, after four years, Digitalidag has grown into a platform where private and public actors can test ideas and find together long-term solutions to help more people enter the digital world. The aim has been to create a public education movement where activities are organised for digital newcomers as well as for people with digital excellence. Since 1 January 2024, Digital Day has been part of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). The 2024 event will be arranged for two days on 15-16 November.
Multi-target physical and digital activities
Digital Day organises both physical and digital activities. From meetings with digital coaches and testing courses in programming in public spaces such as libraries, universities and shops, to upskilling courses for businesses and digital lectures for business on the future of work. The activities target a wide range of target groups, such as pre-skills, age, occupations and interests.
Funding and stakeholder involvement
Digitalidag is funded through broad support from the public and business community, and representatives of stakeholders also assist in Digitalidag’s management boards with working resources and with their own operational costs such as project management and marketing.
The involvement of stakeholders varies depending on the circumstances of their organisation. For example, if the actor has a wide geographical reach with local meeting places across the country, its premises can be used to organise activities to operationalise basic digital tools and services. Other stakeholders are involved through their own staff being digital coaches guiding interest in taking the first digital steps. There is also the possibility to create a seminar, podcast sections, videos or other relevant activities themselves or in conjunction with others. It is also possible to contribute by disseminating information about Digitalidag through promotion on its own channels and platforms such as social media.
Training for digital coaches and a telephone switchboard
In order to provide the digital coaches with the best possible conditions, Digitalidag and the Post- och telestyrelsen (PTS) have developed a web-based training package. The aim is to give digital coaches a briefing and support on what is good to think about supporting and coaching people with little or no digital habits. The training is web-based and divided into the four steps of motivation, access, skills and use, and is based on a research review on digital exclusion from the University of Linköping.
The project also included a telephone switchboard in cooperation with Post and the Swedish Telecommunications Authority (PTS), with the possibility to call for help with digital issues and practical guidance. The switchboard was staffed by a majority of Digital Day staff and also offered the opportunity to receive assistance in English and Arabic.
This is why this is a good example for improving digital skills.
Key elements for success have been to work closely with the participating actors for increased activation, to actively promote private and public interaction, to organise training sessions for stakeholders’ staff and stakeholders to become digital coaches, and to increase communication to reach more and more involved in the project.
Many people feel insecure in the digital world. This uncertainty may turn out in different ways where some may be in digital exclusion, while others need support to be able to place more pieces of puzzle in their own digital puzzle. In this context, Digital Day plays an important role and shows how close interaction between public and private can create long-term commitment and impact on digitalisation.