Increased digital competence in everyday life with Funk-IT Lyftet – Sweden

The goal of Funk-IT Lyftet is to increase digital skills in society – especially for people who in one way or another find it difficult to embrace modern technology. These may involve disabilities of various kinds or lack of knowledge, access or accustomed to using digital services for other reasons. A lot in society today requires us to be able to use a computer, tablet or mobile – such as e-mailing and making video calls, searching for information on government agencies, using payment services and booking medical visits or trips. Funk-IT Lyftet includes a number of courses that help users get started with modern technology in everyday life.

Background and objectives

Funk-IT Lyftet is a collaborative project between Uppsala Municipality and the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS). The target group was primarily people with disabilities who have support measures in various forms through the municipality. This was then broadened to most people who need to learn how to use modern technology in their everyday lives, such as the elderly and people with visual impairment.

In connection with the start-up, a needs inventory was made where it emerged that large parts of the target group had difficulties in contacting authorities, using mobile phone and computer and managing their everyday finances or paying bills.

Development of course material

The course material was developed in 5 stages during the period 2019-2021.

• Stage 1: Here the course leaders designed the material in smaller working groups with feedback from user representatives, after which test courses were conducted with subsequent feedback.
• Phase 2-3: In these phases, the course material was further developed and used practically, with feedback from online surveys.
• Stage 4: During this period, the pandemic affected the work on physical courses, and therefore the work was shifted to digital meetings where films were created for several of the courses.
• Stage 5: The focus in the final stage was on visual interpretation of the filmed material, as the target group and course content were also broadened to most people who need to learn modern technology, to example the elderly and people with visual impairment.

Important parts of the work have been: needs inventory, feedback from users and user associations in all phases, making available, clear impact targets and follow-up after completion of the project.

Course content

All courses are available as Powerpoint, PDF, video on Youtube and audio-interpreted version. The content reflects the needs of the target groups and covers a variety of everyday needs:

• Use e-mail
• Good in everyday life (e.g. shopping online)
• Travel (such as booking a travel service and buying bus tickets)
• E-leg, internet banking and Swish
• Find information on public authorities’ websites
• Communication support (including video calls with different apps)
• Download an app
• Search for news and culture
• Seeking information and risk awareness (including social media and source criticism)

Therefore, this is a good example

As society becomes increasingly digitised, large groups risk being excluded – both in everyday life and professionally. This can increase the risk of lack of care, limit participation in society, cause difficulties in managing the economy, and hinder the ability to reach and provide feedback in contact with the public (such as care and support).

Funk-IT Lyftet is an example of how projects can be implemented for target groups with challenges in using digital tools, and how it can be done with anchoring among users and user associations.

“I didn’t know how to get an email address. Now I’ve created an email account, and can write to my friends!

Course participants quoted in the final report *

In total, approximately 10000 uses of Funk-IT Lyftet’s course material have been registered (participants in courses/info and page views on internal and external web), and 85 % of course participants in the target groups and 92 % of staff who participated were very satisfied/satisfied with the content of the courses.*

The courses have not only developed the skills of target groups when it comes to using modern technology. It has also helped the instructors to get better at their job.

“There are so many people who need Funk-IT that are not in the digital world. We’ve had to focus, make it clear. The need is huge, not only for our target groups, but for many across Sweden.”

Instructor quoted in the final report *

* From Final Project Implementation Report: Funk-IT Lyftet – increased participation through courses that provide everyday digital competence.

Download the final report for the project (in English).