"Digitally Included" Platform - Slovenia
The Digitally Included Platform is the first platform of this kind in Slovenia that contributes to increasing the digital literacy of older people, increasing their social inclusion, and bridging the intergenerational digital divide. The project's official name is "Digitally included - Intergenerational synergy in the digital learning environment for quality aging".
The project, which runs from the start of January 2022 until the end of 2023, is coordinated by ZDUS, the Slovenian Federation of Pensioners Associations in collaboration with the Institute for Intergenerational Cooperation Symbiosis Genesis (Symbiosis) and Institute for Research, Training and Consulting in Public Health & e-Health, IZRIIS (IZRIIS Institute). The Slovenian Institute for Adult Education (ACS) is an associate partner, and the project has received funding from the Ministry of Public Administration in Slovenia from the NGO fund.
The "Digitally Included" Platform
The project addresses an already identified deficit in Slovenia - the ability of older persons to integrate into a digital and information-governed society. It also takes into account the specific needs and abilities of older people by establishing feedback loops throughout the project. In this way, non-formal education and content focused on digital and its impact means the Slovenian platform can make an active contribution to the overall awareness of the benefits and importance of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for a more inclusive information society.
Four options for older persons through different means
- Lifelong learning to acquire functional digital skills
- Studying the use of key e-services for older people
- Access to active and healthy ageing content and programmes
- Participation and learning in intergenerational virtual meetings
Options 1 and 2 take place through self-study video content for independent learning, innovatively introduced through the gaming system. Option 3 includes interactive content by older people themselves, while Option 4 is aimed at improving inclusion and enabling older people make extensive use of the acquired knowledge.
Why is this a good practice?
The Digital Included Project promotes digital literacy among older people, narrows the intergenerational digital divide, promotes co-leading inclusion, uses innovative approaches and promotes non-formulated education. The project can serve as a role model and inspiration for climate initiatives both in Slovenia and in other countries where they face similar challenges with regard to the digital inclusion of the population.
