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Inspiration

Are you an individual, an organisation, a policymaker, or a training provider?
Are you looking for inspiration for boosting digital transformation?
We are here to support you in defining your path to digital transformation by providing inspirational information on good practices, resources, and research from across the country and Europe.

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FREE TRAINING with digital competence vouchers

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
FREE TRAINING with digital competence vouchers

10.09.2024

The digital competence voucher trainings offered by RAABE Bulgaria are free courses funded by the Human Resources Development Programme 2021-2027. They are aimed at employees wishing to acquire or improve their digital skills at basic, intermediate and advanced level, according to the European Digital Competence Framework DigComp 2.1. The trainings are conducted remotely in a videoconferencing environment with a leading lecturer and include access to learning materials via an online platform. Upon successful completion and passing an exam, participants receive a certificate for the acquired level of competence.

 

Your new opportunity to acquire and improve your digital skills at basic, intermediate and advanced levels of digital competence in line with the European Framework – DigComp 2.1 levels 1-2 and 3-4.

 

What is the focus of the programme?

The main focus of the training is to acquire the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes to use digital technologies, build basic digital competences and apply them in different subject areas. The topics in the additional module are aimed at building skills for using basic public digital services in the Republic of Bulgaria.

What is the format of the RAABE trainings?

RAABE offers distance learning in a videoconferencing environment with a leading speaker – an expert in the field. Participants will also be able to prepare independently with unlimited access to the training materials on our platform https://raabeonline.com

What is the duration of the training?

For General Digital Skills (Levels 1 and 2 of DigComp 2.1.), 45 training hours are provided. The additional training module for Public Digital Services is 10 training hours. In total for the basic level – 55 training hours spread over several days according to a pre-announced schedule.

 

How does the training end?

Participants of the training take a final exam, which is conducted electronically in the electronic certification module of the Single Certification Center. Anyone who has attended a minimum of 80% of the scheduled hours is eligible to take the exam. A trainee may take the exam no more than twice.

Upon successful completion of the exam, the learner receives a Certificate of Competence in accordance with the European Digital Competence Framework DigComp 2.1.

Details

Website

www.raabe.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital technology

Digital Skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Public

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

РААБЕ

19.11.2024

Design WeekEnd

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Design WeekEnd

27.09.2024

The Story of Design WeekEnd

We are a small team of volunteers, and every bit of support is crucial for us. If you resonate with our cause and would like to support it, feel free to reach out so we can discuss how.

Nearly 10 years ago (yes, 10 — we’re surprised too), we launched Design WeekEnd with a small design conference in Sevlievo. Since then, we’ve been creating and participating in various design events across Bulgaria, developed three unique formats, relocated to Plovdiv, built meaningful relationships and lasting connections, weathered a pandemic, and emerged stronger afterward. Today, we continue to create with the same childlike enthusiasm, albeit a bit more grown-up.

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people—as part of our team, as speakers, or as mentors.

Learn more about our story HERE.

 

Design WeekEnd

What is it?

Design WeekEnd is a three-day design competition aimed at high school and university students. It includes an introductory evening with a discussion panel, lectures by professional mentors in the field of design, and 26 hours of teamwork to build a brand from scratch. Whether your strength lies in Web, Print, or Motion, you and your team will have the chance to create something amazing.

When and Where?

Design WeekEnd 2024 will take place from November 22–24 in Plovdiv. For the second consecutive year, the event will be hosted by the Technical University of Sofia, Plovdiv branch.

What to Expect:

→ An opportunity to showcase your design skills
→ Exciting challenges and real-world design tasks
→ Guidance from industry experts
→ Prizes for the most accomplished brand presentation

Additional details about this year’s program and the speaker lineup can be found HERE.

Details

Website

 

www.designweekend.co

 

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital technology

Digital Skills

Web Development

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

Design WeekEnd

18.11.2024

The Panhellenic School Network in Greece

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
The Panhellenic School Network in Greece

27.08.2024

The Panhellenic School Network is the national online infrastructure for the provision of internet and communication services to the educational community of Greece. The DCF is the official national network and internet service provider for all educational and administrative units under the authority of the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sport, including foreign units.

It has been developed to provide high-quality technology services to all schools, teachers and students, connecting the educational community electronically and securely and meeting the needs of the modern educational process through access to digital tools and services that facilitate teaching and learning. It provides a variety of services, such as internet access, web hosting, e-learning platforms, collaboration tools and digital support, thus enhancing the educational process and facilitating communication between teachers, students and parents. At the same time, the information provided through its services is reliable and verifiable, while there is constant updating and upgrading of services based on the needs of users.

Today, the Panhellenic School Network interconnects a total of 16,221 units, of which 14,504 are schools (public and private) of Primary, Secondary and Post-Secondary Education, 151 administrative units of Primary and Secondary Education and 1,013 other structures, such as the General State Archives, Environmental Education Centres and other support structures.

Summary of the services provided by the Panhellenic School Network
  1. Internet and Networking Services
    • Connection to the DCF: It provides broadband internet access for school units and administrative services.
    • Secure Internet access: Ensuring safe navigation and information for the safe use of the internet.
    • Hosting of websites: Hosting and managing websites and domain names for schools, with Web Analytics services.
  2. Management, certification and user support
    • Create and manage accounts for schools, teachers and students, with access retrieval support.
    • Provision of assistance and information through the central DCF portal and the Help-Desk service
  3. Communication and Cooperation
    • Providing platforms for communities, blogs, school magazines and file sharing.
    • Providing email accounts, collaboration tools and managing email lists.
    • eLearning Services: Support videoconferencing, e-teaching, and hands-on teacher training.
    • Multimedia services: Creation and management of multimedia material, live broadcasts and presentations.
  4. Support services: User identity management, provision of digital certificates and technical support through remote access.
The Panhellenic School Network in numbers

The DCF currently serves over 1,318,107 people with personalized access, including:

  • 137,640 practicing teachers
  • More than 1,000,000 students of Primary and Secondary Education
  • 4,193 administrative staff
  • 50 779 inactive teachers, such as retired and former teachers

The infrastructure of the DCF shall serve in particular:

  • 9,298 public primary schools
  • 1,012 private primary schools
  • 3,673 public secondary schools
  • 248 private secondary schools
  • 273 units of Post-Secondary Education
  • 58 administrative units of Primary Education
  • 60 administrative units of Secondary Education
  • 14 Regional Education Directorates
  • 288 support structures
  • 725 other structures, such as GBER, RCO, OEM, etc.

The total accounts in the DCF amount to 1 346 450 . Of these, 28,343 accounts are used for the needs of the units, while 1,318,107 are personal accounts for teachers, pupils, administrative staff and non-active teachers. (Statistics update: 12/08/2024 ).

Internet security priority

The Panhellenic School Network (PSD) undertakes a series of actions and initiatives to promote a creative and safe internet for the educational community in Greece. These actions aim to enhance digital literacy, safety and responsible use of the internet by students, teachers and parents. Actions and initiatives include educational initiatives on digital security, awareness-raising campaigns, the creation and distribution of educational material, support for the creative use of digital technologies, etc. Indicative actions include:

  • 1999: The online content moderation service has been launched, which is constantly being upgraded to ensure safe browsing for students.
  • 2009: Creation of the “Internet Safety” information hub to provide educational material and information to teachers, pupils and parents.
  • 2011: The provision of webinars through the “Digital Security” section of eTwinning begins, with the aim of supporting schools to use the internet safely.
  • 2014: Participation in the Web WeWant initiative, by adapting the Greek version of the book for high school students, encouraging the development of critical thinking and exploring online rights.
  • 2017: Organise eTwinning online courses, such as the “Creative and Safe Internet”, and participate in the conference “Learning to Think in a Digital Society” with the participation of teachers from the EU.
Integrated actions
  1. eSafety Label+: Become the next eSafety Champion (2017-2019): As a coordinating partner under Erasmus+ (KA2), the DCF has helped promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices on digital security in schools. A total of 341 Greek schools received the digital security label.
  2. EduWeb (2016-2018): The aim of the project was to strengthen cooperation in the fight against digital exclusion of adults, with students acting as educators of their digitally illiterate family members.
  3. Connecting with Prudence (2015-2016): In collaboration with Safer Internet, this action trained 38,319 students and 318 teachers in the correct and creative use of the Internet.
  4. School Violence and Bullying Prevention and Response Network (2014-2015): Around 16,000 teachers were trained to deal with school violence, including cyberbullying.
  5. Call a Safer Internet Expert (2015): Action that enabled schools to call experts to inform and educate the school community about safe use of the internet.
  6. SUPPORT (2012-2015): Training of more than 2,500 IT teachers for the safe and creative use of the internet through the SUPPORT project in the framework of the NSRF 2007-2013.
Why is it good practice?

The DCF is a particularly successful and well-established good practice in the field of digital education in Greece, and this can be documented in several ways:

  1. Broad Dissemination and Coverage: With a service of 16,221 credits and personalized access for over 1.3 million users, the GDS has managed to cover almost the entire educational community in Greece.
  2. Support for distance learning: The DCF provides critical e-learning services that have become an integral part of daily education. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, these services proved their value, ensuring the continuity of the educational process.
  3. Reduction of Inequalities: The impact of the GDS is extensive, as it offers digital infrastructure to the whole educational community. It has facilitated access to educational material, cooperation between teachers and the participation of students in digital programmes. It has also contributed to reducing inequalities in access to educational resources.
  4. Security and Data Protection: By managing more than 10,000,000 malware attacks and implementing strict security protocols, the DCF ensures data security and the protection of its users.
  5. Sustainability and Growth: The DCF is financed by national and European funds, which ensures its sustainability and development. The continuous upgrade of its services and its flexibility to adapt to new technological requirements prove its long-term success.
  6. Promoting Digital Governance: Through its eGovernment services, the DCF promotes transparency and efficient administration, facilitating interaction between educational institutions and the Ministry.

The Panhellenic School Network is a model of digital infrastructure for education, offering reliable and secure services to hundreds of thousands of users across the country. With its constant presence and continuous development, the DCF is a living example of good practice that can be a guide for other countries or educational organisations wishing to develop similar initiatives. The success of the DCF is due to the integration of modern technological solutions, data security and the continuous support of its users.

Details

Website

Panhellenic School Network

 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Public

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

Organisation providing the good practice

Panhellenic School Network

Start date

3 September 2012

End date

4 September 2034

15.10.2024

SchuBu Systems: An Online Learning Platform for Secondary School Students

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
SchuBu Systems: An Online Learning Platform for Secondary School Students

07.08.2024

SchuBu is a teaching and learning platform designed to help secondary school students acquire digital skills.

SchuBu Systems: Online Textbook for Digital Education

The SchuBu project, developed by SchuBu Systems GmbH, offers curriculum-aligned digital textbooks for free and serves as a comprehensive teaching and learning platform. The digital education section provides interactive and age-appropriate content on topics such as artificial intelligence, media literacy, and data management for secondary school students.

SchuBu: Digital Education

In the “Digital Education” section, SchuBu follows the Austrian curriculum for the corresponding subject and is specifically designed for classroom use. The digital textbooks cover the material for an entire school year, presented in illustrated learning pathways with numerous exercises. These resources can be used as standalone textbooks or as interactive supplements to existing books.

Background and Objectives

The SchuBu project was initiated with the goal of engaging students in learning through motivating tasks. The wide range of resources, including exercises, interactive elements, games, and animations, allows students to delve deeply into curriculum topics and explore connections on their own. This approach enhances intrinsic motivation and contributes to lasting learning success.

A Resource for Teachers as Well

SchuBu also offers many useful tools for teachers to make their lessons more engaging and interactive. SchuBu+ is a paid extension that provides materials specifically designed for classroom use, including online assignments with automatic grading, ready-to-use presentations, worksheets with answers, and practical teaching tools. SchuBu+ also offers detailed additional information tailored for teachers, such as learning objectives, a competency model, and comprehensive curriculum references, all of which can aid in lesson planning.

Content for Digital Education

Currently, SchuBu offers digital education content for the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades, with materials for the eighth grade expected in fall 2024. The textbooks cover various aspects of the digital world, including topics like the internet, artificial intelligence, and disinformation. Students develop an understanding of digital tools, creative online collaboration, and the ethics and privacy concerns of the digital realm.

Didactic Structure

The SchuBu learning packages are designed in three stages. To convey the content, there are presentations with animated slides, which can also be used in flipped-classroom settings. Understanding and independent learning are supported through simulations, games, and interactive content. Finally, students have various opportunities to practice and reinforce the material.

Terms of Use

The digital textbooks from SchuBu Systems are not openly licensed, but the basic content, including learning pathways and exercises, is accessible for free without a login. Premium content is clearly marked and requires registration. SchuBu may not be used for commercial purposes.

What makes “SchuBu Digital Education” a Good Practice?

The focus on interactivity and gamification in SchuBu’s learning packages creates motivating learning experiences for students. The content is developed by educators with extensive practical experience and integrates seamlessly into classroom instruction. It is compatible with all digital devices with internet access, ad-free, and GDPR-compliant. The project has been recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research with the Learning Apps Quality Seal and has received the State Prize for Digitalization in the category “Digital Competencies, Education, and Training.” Additionally, the online portal eLearning Journal awarded SchuBu the 2022 eLearning Award in the “School” category.

Details

Website

SchuBu Systems

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Austria

Organisation providing the good practice

SchuBu Systems

26.08.2024

Career guidance for young people through virtual company tours

By Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Career guidance for young people through virtual company tours

22.08.2024

Among other things, the digital transformation has changed the way information is communicated. This also applies to information about professions and companies. The Biwi – Virtual Company Tour project also makes use of this. 

Getting to know professions virtually

With the help of virtual reality glasses (VR glasses), young people can immerse themselves more intensively than before in a wide range of professions. They can explore training companies in 360-degree mode and experience the respective occupational field in a realistic 3D video format. The information is provided by peers who are currently undergoing training or an apprenticeship at the company in question. 

The VR glasses required for this are available in the WKO career information centers and the Berufsinformationszentrum der Wiener Wirtschaft (BiWi), for example. They are mainly used for career and apprenticeship counseling.

Visit companies from home

The virtual company tours are not only possible in the centers equipped for this purpose, but also from home. With the help of a special web application, the companies can be explored via computer or notebook. The app is freely accessible and the interface can be navigated using a mouse. A smartphone or tablet can also be used as a “window” into the virtual world of apprenticeships. The gyroscope function enables 360° rotation and free orientation within the virtual environment.

Young people currently have access to just under 80 professions they can experience, and the range is constantly being expanded. Information is currently available on professions in the fields of construction and trades; vehicles and machinery; physics, chemistry and planning; language and culture; health and social affairs; working in nature; food and hospitality; art, sport and beauty.

What makes BiWi virtual company tours a good practice?

The offer can be used on an individual and self-directed basis, but can also be used as part of career guidance courses or in a school context. In this way, young people can decide for themselves whether the respective occupational field appears interesting to them – and they also come into contact with career opportunities that may have been previously unknown. 

On the one hand, using this service increases the digital skills of the people who create the respective content. On the other hand, it automatically leads to an increase in skills on the part of the users when they use this VR technology. The open and free use of the app promotes participation for all and is a good example of the inclusive potential of digital technologies

Details

Website

BiWi

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Virtual Reality

Level

Basic

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Austria

Organisation providing the good practice

BiWi

26.08.2024

Digital Inclusion

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Digital Inclusion

14.06.2024

Digital Inclusion, an initiative by Česko.Digital and Notum focuses on developing an educational platform to improve the digital skills of social workers in the Czech Republic. This platform aims to equip social workers with the necessary digital skills and knowledge to enhance their work and provide better digital support to their clients. Additionally, it serves as a resource for improving the digital skills of digitally excluded and vulnerable clients, who constitute 30% of the Czech population.

Why is this Initiative Necessary?

The rationale behind the Digital Inclusion project stems from unique research conducted by Česko.Digital, supported by numerous Czech NGOs, among digitally excluded or vulnerable populations in the Czech Republic. The research identified three main challenges these individuals face. Firstly, they are highly susceptible to digital fraud and scams and struggle to identify or mitigate them effectively. Secondly, they are often suspicious of and reluctant to interact with state institutions online, hindering the timely addressing of their needs. Additionally, professionals in social services, residential facilities, and other support roles often lack the digital skills to support these individuals effectively. Recognising these issues, intervention among social workers was identified as the most systematic and scalable solution. Social workers who have close contact with the digitally excluded and vulnerable have the potential to positively influence their digital skills and attitudes. By empowering social workers, the initiative aims to facilitate self-sufficiency, enabling digitally excluded and vulnerable people to navigate online services independently.

Current Impact

Since its inception, the Digital Inclusion project has made significant strides. Research has been conducted among digitally vulnerable and excluded populations, reaching 794 questionnaire responses and 61 in-depth interviews in collaboration with over 30 NGOs. The results were evaluated, three major problems were identified, and eight respondent profiles were created. The research findings have been published to raise awareness of digital exclusion in the Czech Republic, with a website launched on January 20, 2024, garnering 549 views, averaging three minutes per visit. Additionally, the findings have received media coverage and have been presented to the Digital Education Committee of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport. The project is progressing through milestones such as establishing a brand and marketing strategy, developing the educational platform, and preparing platform content, with 30 lessons planned for the minimum viable product (MVP). The goal is to impact at least 10,000 beneficiaries, including social workers and their clients.

Why is it a Good Practice?

Digital Inclusion addresses the critical need for improving digital literacy among social workers and their clients. The initiative’s focus on empowering social workers is a strategic and scalable solution to the challenges faced by digitally excluded and vulnerable populations. The platform ensures practical and impactful training by providing short, relevant learning modules that address the specific questions and problems social workers face in their daily work. The collaborative approach in creating and updating content ensures that it remains fresh and relevant, fostering active participation from social workers. The project’s comprehensive research and engagement with multiple stakeholders, including NGOs and government bodies, demonstrate its commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of the target population. Recognised for its contribution to digital education, Digital Inclusion exemplifies effective intervention in improving digital literacy, fostering independence, and enhancing the overall well-being of digitally excluded and vulnerable individuals in the Czech Republic.

Details

Website

Digital Inclusion

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

23.08.2024

Digital Transformation of the Municipality of Ioannina: A Good Practice for Enhancing Digital Skills

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Digital Transformation of the Municipality of Ioannina: A Good Practice for Enhancing Digital Skills

06.08.2024

In recent years, the Municipality of Ioannina has been pioneering in the field of digital transformation, carrying out a series of coordinated interventions, actions, choices and strategic planning. This comprehensive effort resulted in the formulation of a 10-year Digital Strategy, which is aligned with national and European directions, as well as with the needs of the local community. The Digital Strategy was conceived as a dynamic document, which is constantly updated through consultations with local stakeholders. It includes the vision, the guidelines for digital interventions, as well as a roadmap with concrete actions, which are adapted according to available resources and funding opportunities.

A key element of the new strategy is the transformation of municipal services to enhance the supply of user-friendly digital services that meet the needs of citizens and businesses. The ultimate goal is to use information and communication technologies as tools for modern governance and development, thus creating “Smart Ioannina”, a city ready for the future.

Implementation of the Four Pillars of Digital Skills & Jobs Platform

This initiative addresses directly the four pillars of the Digital Skills & Jobs Platform. It promotes digital skills for all citizens by offering free programs such as the Cisco Networking Academy to a wide range of citizens. It targets specific groups, such as older people over 65, helping them acquire basic digital skills. In addition, it integrates digital tools into the local economy, especially for businesses in the tourism sector, through initiatives such as “Grow Greece with Google”.

Targeting and Impact

This initiative is aimed at a wide range of users, including citizens, businesses and vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, single parents and the elderly. By providing comprehensive education and access to digital services, the Municipality ensures that these groups will not be left behind in the digital age. The effects are evident in improved services, faster response times and overall improved user experience. The focus on digital training and upskilling is also evident, with the aim of making the local workforce more competitive and better equipped for the demands of the digital economy.

Sustainability and Reproduction Ability

The digital transformation of the Municipality of Ioannina is an example of good practice in enhancing digital skills. The initiative is not only committed to equipping the target audience with relevant skills, but also provides a comprehensive and transparent framework that can inspire and guide similar projects across Europe. With a focus on integration, sustainability and innovation, it aspires to be a role model for other municipalities that want to embrace the digital future. It exploits the potential offered by digital technologies for the benefit of citizens and tourism development. For example, advanced digital tools such as a 3D optical scanner are used to preserve cultural heritage.

Information and visual material were collected from the website of the Municipality of Ioannina andNSRF 2021-2027

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

06.08.2024

Digitalidag (Digital today)

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments

Digitalidag (Digital today)

03.07.2023

Digitalidag is an annual event in Sweden that started in 2019 to highlight the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. It aims to inspire and enable everyone to participate in digital development through various activities and collaborations. The initiative brings together businesses, organizations, and individuals to promote digital skills and inclusion. Since January 2024, Digitalidag has been part of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), enhancing its sustainability and reach.

Why Digitalidag?

Digitalization affects us all at different stages of life, giving each of us unique digital skills. Most people are missing at least one skill. As digital technology advances quickly, everyone, regardless of age, needs to stay updated to avoid falling behind. Digitalization offers great benefits but also presents challenges that we must tackle together.

In response to these challenges, “Digitalidag” was established in 2019 as a national day in Sweden to focus on the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. Inspired by Switzerland’s “Digital Day,” where activities and discussions were held in central locations, Digitalidag aims to create a widespread educational movement. The goal is to inspire and enable everyone to participate in digital development through broad collaboration. Since its start, Digitalidag has successfully built a sense of community and purpose among its participants.

Impact and milestones

Over the past few years, a total of 3,633 Digitalidag activities have been organized. The Digitalidag office has facilitated over 400 matches between participants, developing an effective matchmaking method. Through collaboration, they have explored new ways to increase digital inclusion and built a platform focused on learning, dialogue, and listening. The ideas generated within the Digitalidag network lead to tangible actions, educating people in environments where they feel comfortable.

During the 2023 edition of “Digitalidag,” 375 participants organized 1,000 activities across 216 municipalities, emphasizing the importance of digital inclusion in Sweden. To further harness the participants’ significant engagement, various collaborative activities have been developed. For example, “Ring Digitalidag” is a telephone helpline for digital beginners, staffed by volunteers from Digitalidag participants’ employees.

Additionally, Digitalidag’s transformation into a matchmaking platform, now integrated into the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), marks a crucial milestone for its sustainability and broader impact.

Why is it a good practice?

Digitalidag is a groundbreaking initiative driving digital skill advancement across Sweden. It emphasizes collaboration to enhance digital literacy and inclusion, leveraging a vast network of actors and fostering new partnerships through a matchmaking method. By utilizing existing infrastructure, it creates collaborative activities that reach all parts of Sweden. Integrated into the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, Digitalidag ensures sustainability and scalability. The concept also has the potential for broad dissemination within the EU, aligning with the EU’s digital agenda and serving as a model for similar initiatives across member states.

Details

Website

Digital today

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Other

03.07.2024

Security Center Portugal

By Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Security Center Portugal

28.06.2024

PTSOC – the .PT Security Operations Centre was created in 2019 within the DNS.PT Association with the  primary objective of strengthening the Portuguese ccTLD’s capabilities to detect, respond to, and prevent  security incidents and cyber threats, while simultaneously increasing levels of cooperation within the domain name management ecosystem and promoting digital skills, in particular cybersecurity best practices and the adoption of secure protocol standards.

About the DNS.PT Association

The DNS.PT Association is a private non-profit association responsible for managing domain names under the .pt ccTLD. Its mission is to ensure stable and reliable domain management, focusing on technological innovation that meets the needs of the national community and respecting privacy and data protection laws.

The DNS.PT Association has been working closely with the Portuguese authorities, registrars and the user community to promote a safer and more reliable cyberspace under the .pt domain. To this end, a catalogue has been developed with tailor-made and free services based on collaboration and institutional dialogue, with the aim of strengthening cybersecurity skills and good practices in online presence and communications.

This allows citizens, professionals, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from training and awareness-raising in cybersecurity areas, technical support in implementing security standards (such as DNSSEC), cybersecurity content such as that provided in PTSOC News, and cooperation in detecting and responding to security incidents.

Why is PTSOC a good practice?

The commitment to strengthen the Portuguese  was reinforced in 2023, with the close collaboration of several national reference players, particularly INCoDe.2030, Rampa Digital, National Police (PSP), CISCO, and NAU, enabling a range of significant achievements, including:

  • Successful organisation of 16 cybersecurity workshops – particularly in regions marked by regional asymmetries – an action that reached over 600 people throughout Portugal, and simultaneously takes into account disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in line with the objectives under the Skills Agenda for Europe and also the Digital Decade targets of the European Commission by 2030.
  • Building a collaborative environment of like-minded stakeholders and partners via sharing of cybersecurity awareness materials with a network of contacts and partners, through the website and social networks, and via highlighting PTSOC’s news – a quarterly magazine created to inform, enlighten and educate through news, analysis, opinion articles, documents and relevant indicators in the area of cybersecurity.
  • Development and promotion of free massive open online courses (MOOCs) – on the topics of “Cybersecurity Risk Management for Organisations” and “Business Continuity Management” – with over 5000 people throughout Portugal participating.

Fostering skills-building and security through PTSOC

By providing training opportunities designed specifically for cybersecurity professionals, PTSOC is instrumental in bridging the skills gap identified in the Portuguese labour market.

Established collaborative networks between universities and private organisations has already started to lay down the foundations of a strong national talent pool. Internships, workshops and certification programs developed in this context have helped to improve the skills landscape in Portugal to a massive extent. PTSOC is working on more and more of those as part of their commitment to promoting cybersecurity skills, and leaving no one behind.

Details

Website

PTSOC

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Cybersecurity

Level

Basic

Middle

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

Organisation

Association DNS.PT

28.06.2024

SPINOFF BULGARIA

By 5G & WiFi, AI & ML, AR & VR, Audience, Big data, Bulgaria, Computing, Country providing the good practice, Cybersecurity, For ICT professionals, For public administration, Funding of the good practice, In education, Inspiration, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, IoT, Microelectronics, Mobile apps, National good practice initiative, Private, Robotics, Software engineering, Technology, Telecommunications, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
SPINOFF BULGARIA

25.06.2024

About Spinoff Bulgaria

 

Spinoff Bulgaria is the largest initiative dedicated to technology transfer, science-based  innovation and spinoff investments in Bulgaria and the region. The two-days format includes a wide range of  keynotes, panel discussions, workshops and roundtables and offers opportunities for networking,  matchmaking and the exchange of best practices.

The target group are scientists, universities and TTOs as well as investors, representatives of national  ministries and European organizations, experts, students, innovators and representatives of  corporations and business.

In addition to the exchange of insights and know-how and awareness-raising for topics related to technology  transfer, the declared goal of the spinoff initiative is to launch and initiate international cooperation projects  and spinoff foundations. By 2030, we aim to have helped 100 spinoff companies get founded, gain  investments and grow commercially.

The initiative supports the development of a sustainable spinoff ecosystem in Bulgaria, SEE and Europe by connecting national stakeholder with international partners. By presenting best practices, insights and collaboration opportunities, the initiative stimulates interest in the creation of spinoffs, promote the culture of technology transfer and bring together European organisations, companies, academia and investors.

Leading Technologies in Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Microelectronics, and Circular Economy Showcased at the Third Edition of Spinoff Conference 2024

 

The international conference Spinoff Conference was held for the third consecutive year on June 20 and 21, 2024, at Sofia Tech Park, John Atanasoff Forum, once again providing a platform for exchanging ideas, know-how, and raising awareness on topics related to technology transfer.

The primary goal set by the organisers— Health and Life Sciences Cluster, Artificial Intelligence Cluster Bulgaria, Venrize – spinoff factory, ISTEB—is to create a favourable environment for the growth and realization of 100 spinoff companies by 2030. These companies aim to provide high-value-added products and services crucial for the modernization and innovation of the Bulgarian economy. The initiative is supported by numerous ministries, municipalities, professional associations, and universities.

At the conference’s opening, Kristina Eskenazi, one of the main organizers, shared that over the past three years, more than 40 spinoff companies have been presented and awarded on the prestigious stage. “Bulgaria has immense capacity in cutting-edge technologies, and over the next two days, we have the opportunity to showcase them to you,” she stated.

Awards and Recognitions

One of the most anticipated events of the conference was the awarding of “Spinoff of the Year.” This prestigious award was given to companies that have successfully implemented innovative technologies and achieved significant market success. Six companies were awarded the Spinoff of the Year 2024: Momfident, VAReyes, Senesys. Biо, Simenso Ltd, MedTechLab, and Neuromorphica.

You can find additional information about the agenda and previous editions HERE.

Details

Website

www.spinoff.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Level

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

AI CLUSTER BULGARIA

Start date

20.06.2024

End date

21.06.2024

25.06.2024

San Blas Digital School

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
San Blas Digital School

14.06.2024

The San Blas Digital Skills School, an initiative by Ayuntamiento de Madrid and its partners, is part of the “Madrid, Digital Capital” strategy to position Madrid as a benchmark city in digital transformation. Located in the refurbished Santa Marta de Babio educational complex in the San Blas-Canillejas district, the school focuses on creating a training and employment space for young people and new technologies. The goal is to establish a new management model for training, education, and employment promotion activities.

Who are the Beneficiaries?

The primary beneficiaries of the San Blas Digital Skills School are citizens of Madrid, companies interested in digital innovation, and public and private entities committed to digital transformation. The school aims to stimulate and promote employment related to digital transformation, innovation, and the use of digital environments. The school targets young people, job seekers, and professionals seeking to enhance their digital skills and employability by offering various resources and activities. Additionally, companies presenting innovative proposals for digitalisation benefit from the school’s initiatives, making it a comprehensive hub for digital skills development in Madrid.

Current Impact

Since its launch in February 2023, the San Blas Digital Skills School has seen steady growth in participation. Throughout the year, 9,108 individuals engaged in the school’s activities, with the latter half recording monthly participation figures exceeding 1,000. Over 546 activities were conducted in 2023, with 66% focused on digital training and education. The school hosted significant events such as the 1st San Blas Job Fair. These efforts have contributed to transforming citizens’ vision regarding job opportunities in an increasingly digitalised environment, fostering the creation of digital talent geared towards innovative processes.

Why is it a Good Practice?

The San Blas Digital Skills School exemplifies best practices in digital education and employment promotion by addressing the critical need for digital literacy and employability. By providing a wide range of activities, including training sessions, workshops, exhibitions, and professional conferences, the school ensures that participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The mentoring and advice from professionals, along with modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art devices, create an optimal learning environment. The school’s comprehensive approach, including leisure activities to develop personal, social, and digital skills, ensures the holistic development of participants. The collaboration with citizens, companies, and public and private entities further strengthens its impact, making it a model for digital skills development and employability in the city of Madrid.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills
Digital transformation

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Public

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

14.06.2024

Future is Code

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Future is Code

30.04.2021

Future is Code is an initiative organised by the Digital National Alliance, aided by a team of volunteers and with the cooperation of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and regional municipalities. It aims to create links between information and communication technology (ICT) sector experts, digital professionals and secondary school students in order to raise awareness about the prospects of coding and ICT in general as a career path. Launched in 2014, Future is Code’s mission is to bring a more down-to-earth perspective on coding and programming , spark interest in the digital sector, and break identified stereotypes surrounding the ICT sector (such as the idea that coding and programming skills are hard to develop without formal education).

The initiative is structured in the form of one-day workshops, in which ICT professionals spend a day at a school, teaching a class in their field of expertise. The main target group are digital experts on one side, and students between the ages from 12 to 18 (regardless of their profile of focus or specialisation). Another focus of Future is Code is schools, with a special focus on secondary schools specialising in humanities and subjects unrelated to mathematics, engineering or science. Workshops can take place also in a more informal setting, where students can feel free to ask questions, raise concerns or start a more personal conversation about interests and ambitions with the visiting expert. On the website can be found links to the EU Code Week initiative, with learning resources on digital skills in Bulgarian, as well as other materials tailored for children and young people. The initiative also aims to involve the growing ICT business sector in Bulgaria by encouraging companies, businesses and start-ups to take part in the not-for-profit initiative too by supporting employees, for example by offering paid transport to and from the school, or counting programme participation towards the working day in an organisational context.

Despite the growth of the ICT sector in Bulgaria in recent years, there is a lack of qualified educators and teachers in the area of information technology (IT) and technology education in Bulgaria, and this issue is more prominent in rural areas and smaller towns. Digital and ICT experts and professionals interested in participating are provided with guidance and examples of how to illustrate technological topics in an understandable way, including ideas for organising a more interactive type of workshop, for instance by getting students to work with Scratch, watch a video on the subject of technology, or touch upon basic logic of programming languages like HTML and CSS. The pilot version of the project took place in 2014 as part of the activities developed in the EU Code Week and has constituted in an initiative with different supporters from the private sector (Microsoft, SAP, HackBulgaria, Oracle, among others) across its different versions.

Details

Website

Future is Code

Target audience

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software
Web Development

Level

Basic

Middle

Funding of the good practice

Public

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

Digital National Alliance

Start date

(dd.mm.yy)

End date

(dd.mm.yy)

30.04.2024

Bulgaria: DevCamp

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
BULGARIA: DevCamp

01.04.2024

DevCamp is suitable for students and novice developers who want to gain hands-on experience and learn key programming skills. It is part of our Internship Program, which starts with an intensive but affordable training (DevCamp), followed by a paid internship and the opportunity to work permanently at TelebidPro

 

DevCamp: Getting Started and Immersion into the World of Programming
What can you expect?
Practical Assignments – These will be exercises and independent projects to reinforce your programming knowledge

Interactive Workshops – You will participate in workshops led by experienced professionals who will introduce you to different techniques and best practices in programming

Team and Independent Work on Real Projects – You will develop a client-server web application independently or in a team. Here you will apply your knowledge in a practical environment and learn how to distribute your tasks effectively

Personalised Mentoring – Experienced mentors will review your assignments and provide you with individual feedback on your development

Introduction to Telebid Pro Technology – You will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the technologies we use at Telebid Pro. Plus, you’ll have access to free training materials and online lectures

Opportunity for Paid Internship
After successfully completing the first stage of our program, the door opens to a paid internship with Telebid Pro, lasting up to 6 months. This is an opportunity to make real professional strides in the world of software development.

Permanent Job Opportunity
And for the most motivated and excellent performers – the doors of our team are open. The best of you will be invited to join us as full members of the Telebid Pro team.

You will gain knowledge and skills in key topics
⇒ Version Control – Git

⇒ OOP

⇒ SQL & Databases

⇒ Data Structures & Algorithms

⇒ Web Development

⇒ Clean Code

⇒ Design Patterns

⇒ Full Stack Development

Additional information can be found HERE.

 

Details

Website

www.telebid-pro.com

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Web Development

Software Engineering

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

Telebid – Pro

01.04.2024

BULGARIA: Para Robotics Incubator

By AI & ML, Audience, Bulgaria, For children, In education, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION: Good practices, Local good practice initiative, National good practice initiative, Private, Robotics, TechnologyNo Comments
BULGARIA: Para Robotics Incubator

15.03.2024 |

The Professional Association for Robotics and Automation (PARA) is recruiting participants for the third consecutive time for its educational program, PARA Robotics Incubator.

PARA Robotics Incubator is an incubator for robotics aimed at students and young professionals. The initiative selects projects from young people and helps them develop these projects to the “prototype” level.

Participants in the program will receive mentorship guidance, hardware, and access to specialized equipment in laboratories. The main goal of the program is for participants to create a working prototype based on a pre-designed project, thereby fostering entrepreneurship.

To enroll in the program, participants must be at least 14 years old and possess basic programming skills. Over the course of the six-month program, each participant is expected to complete their prototype. The projects encouraged should be focused on the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation.

In the third season of the incubator, projects sought are those aimed at: drones, industrial solutions, machine vision and artificial intelligence, agriculture, technical solutions for sustainable living, and the Internet of Things.

The five selected projects from across Bulgaria will have the opportunity to receive:

– Hardware
– Access to a prototyping space
– Mentorship assistance
– An interactive educational program
– A chance to win a prize of 5000 leva

Desired skills for participants in the program:

– Motivated to develop in the field of technical sciences
– Have their own technical project or idea
– Open to receiving feedback
– Technical knowledge above the average level
– Want to develop their project into a working prototype

Program Modules
What will you learn?

Module 1: Design Thinking
Concepts for developing new products, applications, and innovations within teams

Module 2: Sales and Marketing
Models for reaching the end customer through commercial and advertising tools

Module 3: Collaboration
How people and robots can work together, an overview of methods for coordination, collaboration, and assigning tasks to robots

Module 4: Machine Vision and Machine Orientation
An overview of models and methods for detecting, tracking, and recognizing objects, as well as applying these models to solve problems in real-world environments

 

For the remaining modules, read HERE.

 

And here is some more information about the main stages of the program:

  • The selection of teams will take place on April 6th this year during the special event Demo Day at The Venue in Sofia Tech Park. All teams will present their ideas there, and the jury will choose 5 projects to participate in the program.
  • The educational program will start on April 7th and will run until September 26, 2024. It will include active work with lectures, participation in mentorship sessions, visits to laboratories, and various activities for project development.
  • On September 26th, during the annual Robotics Strategy Forum, the final demonstration of the developments will take place. On that day, the winners of the third edition of the incubator will be announced and awarded.

More information about the program can be found on the official website of the PARA Robotics Incubator.

Details

Website

www.incubator.para.expert

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Robotics

Level

Intermediate

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

PARA- Professional Association of Robotics and Automation

Start date

02.04.2024

End date

26.09.2024

15.03.2024

Digital Skills Partnership

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Digital Skills Partnership

15.02.2024

Meet, exchange and collaborate between businesses and promoters of digital projects.

The Digital Skills Partnership (DSP) is a programme that aims to operationalise partnerships between businesses and initiatives in the digital field. With the evolution of our daily lives, digital has profoundly transformed the way we communicate, work, learn and even interact with our environment. It is therefore crucial for all actors in society to adapt to this digital transformation. For IMS, digitalisation is essential to respond to current challenges and build a sustainable future for all.

What is the added value?

This programme offers an opportunity for mutually beneficial partnerships. Participating companies can support local initiatives by implementing their CSR policy, mobilising their staff and engaging in positive impact projects. For initiatives, the CSP offers visibility, enabling them to raise awareness of their causes and obtain valuable support in their partnerships.

Who can participate?

The participating initiatives can be social and solidarity-based economy structures, public organisations, schools and training institutions, as well as research actors. They all share a shared commitment to digital and a willingness to make a positive difference in society.

For businesses, they can participate locally in initiatives, also enabling them to implement their CSR strategies.

Process of the project

The programme takes place in several key phases, including preparatory workshops for companies and project promoters, a Digital Skills Matchmaking event for quick meetings between businesses and initiatives, as well as follow-up workshops to maintain and develop established partnerships.

  • Preparation workshop for Digital Skills Matchmaking for initiatives – 15 May 2024
  • Digital Skills Matchmaking Preparation Workshop for Business – 16 May 2024
  • Digital Skills Matchmaking – Level 2024
  • Partnership Monitoring Workshop – Autumn 2024
Digital Skills Matchmaking

The Digital Skills Matchmaking event will be organised in summer 2 024 in line with speed meeting. This great meeting is a unique opportunity for businesses and initiatives to connect, share ideas and create partnerships.

This event has existed since 2021 and brings together around fifty digital players each year in Luxembourg and WielkoRégion to set up partnerships. Every year, in addition to the speed meeting concept, the event hosts speakers on topics related to CSR and digital initiatives. In 2023, more than 38 partnerships were signed at the Digital Skills Matchmaking held at the ICT Spring. The event included Laurence Roquelaure d’Accenture Luxembourg, Hélène Snyer d’Accenture Song BELUX, Torlogh O’Boyled d’Accenture UK & Ireland and Mara K. GoldenMe, who shared their experience in setting up partnerships between companies and initiatives.

The Digital Skills Partnership programme is supported by the Ministry of State’s Innovative Initiatives initiative of the Media Service, Connectivity and Digital Policy, as well as by the European Social Fund and the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition.

Details

Website

DIGITAL SKILLS PARNERSHIP

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

Organisation providing the good practice

DIGITAL SKILLS PARNERSHIP

TO BE FILLED: Here should be the title of the event in capital letters. The same title goes in the section above "ADD TITLE". Please include the country providing the practice in it.

dd.mm.2023

TO BE FILLED: A brief summary is placed here, followed by the text about the good practice.

Details

Website

www.digitalalliance.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Private

Public

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

EU institutional initiative

International initiative

National initiative

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Other

Organisation providing the good practice

Name of the organisation

Start date

(dd.mm.yy)

End date

(dd.mm.yy)

15.02.2024

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

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Increased digital competence in everyday life with Funk-IT Lyftet – Sweden

21.11.2023

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).

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Digital Skills

Level

Basic

Funding of the good practice

Public

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

Start date

01.02.2023

End date

01.03.2023

21.11.2023

Latvian School Olympiad in Informatics

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Latvian School Olympiad in Informatics

24.10.2023

Each year, the Latvian National Centre for Education, together with LIKTA and with the support of companies in the Latvian ICT sector, organizes Latvian Olympiad in Informatics. Preparations for Olympiad, along with Latvian students’ participation in international coding Olympics, are coordinated and partly funded by the National Centre for Education (VISC), the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the University of Latvia, municipalities, and contributions from companies in the Latvian ICT sector.

Get to know the initiative

This event, known as the Latvian Olympiad in Informatics, is a multi-stage programming competition designed with the following objectives:

  • Broaden and deepen students’ programming knowledge, fostering additional enthusiasm for coding and encouraging extracurricular engagement.

  • Identify candidates for the Latvian National Unit to participate in international programming competitions.

  • Cultivate students’ interest in developing effective algorithms and programming skills.

The Olympiad is divided into two age groups: junior (8th to 10th grade students) and senior (11th to 12th grade students). The junior category is also open to students below the eighth grade. It consists of three stages:

  • Educational institution Olympiad

  • Municipality Olympiad: Participants who demonstrate outstanding performance in their educational institution’s Olympiad are invited to compete at the municipality level. Additionally, other students who have achieved commendable results in programming and possess sufficient programming skills may apply for this stage.

  • National Olympiad: Following the Municipality Olympiad, the organizing committee invites a maximum of 40 participants per age group based on their results.

At the conclusion of all stages of the Latvian Olympiad in Informatics, representatives are chosen to compete in the Baltic IT Olympiad, followed by the Global IT Olympiad.

Why is this a good practice?

The continued support of Latvian and international Olympiad by companies in the ICT sector is crucial. Such support encourages youth participation, promotes sectoral focus, and stimulates interest in coding and informatics.

Over the years, hundreds of students from schools across all Latvian regions have participated in the IT Olympiad, with many of the participants later pursuing professional careers in ICT.

  • The 36th International Informatics Olympiad IOI 2024 was held from September 1 to 8 in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, on the campus of the Academy of Arab Sciences, Technology and Maritime Transport.
  • Full results of both this and previous IOIs: https://stats.ioinformatics.org/
  • In the coming years, the Olympics will be held in Bolivia (2025), Uzbekistan (2026) and Germany (2027).
Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

24.10.2023

Digital Innovation Hub Latvia – digital skills partner community for Latvian regions

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Digital Innovation Hub Latvia - digital skills partner community for Latvian regions

24.10.2023

The Digital Skills Community of Latvia’s regions was established in early 2022 with the objective of promoting up- and re-skilling initiatives to upgrade citizens’ digital competence, regardless of the region they live and work in. Another goal is to accelerate the digital transformation of Latvian economy and society and support innovation for public and private actors (municipalities, public bodies and institutions, companies, associations, etc). 

A digital skills community for Latvian regions

The main task of the Latvian Community is to monitor the digital transformation ecosystem in Latvia, and ensure no region is left behind. This includes cooperation with a wide range of actors and support to the services they offer, including: curricula, digital solutions, products and services. The community is also engaged in a variety of projects with a focus on digital, and set up digital trainings for citizens and the labour force on all levels (from basic to more advanced).

The community is comprised of key actors and organizations in the digital sphere in Latvia. They meet every month to plan and discuss upcoming activities – whether these are organized separately or as a result of a collaboration between several entities. Research and analysis on the latest trend in the area of digital skills and jobs are key to the knowledge base of the community, and background work conducted regularly.

Representatives of these organisations meet on a monthly basis to discuss the various activities planned, both individually and in cooperation with each other. Community stakeholders consider that research and analysis of digital skills is an essential prerequisite. This information can help the community to better understand digital skills needs and develop appropriate measures at both regional and national level.

Regional digital hubs most active in the Community

The community brings together regional hubs from all over Latvia, active in the promotion of digital skills. Some hubs stand out as more engaged, bringing results and added value. For example, Cēsu Digital Centre plays a key role in lifelong learning and digital training, whereas associations like the Digital Innovation Park bring together ICT professionals in a cluster. The Sigulda Technology Education Centre provides high-quality education services with a focus on engineering subjects, whereas the Kuldīga Digital Innovation Centre is a central smart technology hub, constantly looking for new talent. Ventspils Digital Centre has a more active role in e-governance actions. Finally, the Zemgale Human Resource and Competence Development Centre focuses on vocational education and training. The latter is also the largest, state-of-the-art centre for adult education in Latvia – both in terms of technical and human resources, but also in the context of the wide variety of educational offer.

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)

The network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) is part of the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union. EDIHs help to foster the digital transformation of businesses, i.e. the uptake of digital technologies by businesses, public administrations, and in general aim to improve citizens’ digital skills (with a focus on advanced digital skills). Such hubs operate in all EU Member States, so Latvia is also included in the overall European digital technology ecosystem. Two organizations have been granted EDIH status in Latvia – The Latvian IT cluster and the Latvian Digital Accelerator.

A digital maturity assessment is available for entrepreneurs interested in receiving EDIH support to give life to innovative ideas. The aim is to assess the digital maturity of a company and provide support to companies for the digital transformation of a business process or organization (or to public authorities that may require guidance in managing their digital transformation in a safe and secure way).

Why is this a good practice?

The network of hubs on regional level is based on the success of the larger European network of hubs. Within Latvia, the hubs have facilitated more than 30 local, regional, and international projects, supporting the digital development of Latvian businesses, encouraging the design of innovative IT solutions, and strengthening collaboration between all actors in the community: businesses, universities, associations and organizations.

The European Digital Innovation Hub offers a range of success stories in Latvia, like:

The Latvian Community has successfully demonstrated a sound understanding of the digital skills landscape in Latvia, and has a good amount of projects and joint initiatives behind its back. As a central point for reference in education, its members exchange knowledge, share teaching methodologies, learning resources and teaching materials.

The digital skills community of Latvian regions is an important resource for the development of digital skills in Latvia. Its sustainability depends on participants’ willingness to cooperate in sharing available resources and to invest in its development. By co-designing and implementing effective measures, the community can contribute to the growth of society’s digital skills, as well as to the digital transformation of Latvian businesses and the public sector. The sustainability and relevance of the initiative are highlighted in the list of partner organisations and public bodies presented below. Representatives of various organisations and institutions, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development,Ministry of Education and Science, European Digital Innovation Hub, Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association, Cēsu Digital Centre, Zemgale Region Human Resource and Competence Development Centre, Ventspils Digital Centre, Sigulda Technology Education Centre, Kuldīga Digital Innovation Centre, Digital Innovation Park and other stakeholders from across Latvia participate actively in the Community.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

24.10.2023

Digital Hub Denmark

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Digital Hub Denmark

18.10.2023

Digital Hub Denmark is Denmark’s information portal for the different target groups involved or active in the technology industry. Launched in 2018, the non-profit initiative aims to offer support to the Danish technological system and connect local and national digital talents and start-ups with European and global investors and hubs.

Another objective is to raise the overall profile of the Danish industry within the technological dimension, attract projects and contribute to the development of technological ecosystems, identified as essential for the future of the Danish economy. The organisation focuses on technological development in areas like finance, health, agriculture and food, property and retail, education, robotics, and the creative sector. It gathers data on these individual digital ecosystems to provide targeted and relevant advice to stakeholders and actors in the field.

About Digital Hub Denmark

The initiative also includes guidance and introduction to a series of topics, useful to anyone interested in studying, working and living in Denmark with a special focus on technology. Users can also find information on relevant jobs in the field, as well as relevant details on how to introduce one’s taxes in the public system, what immigration services are available. Further content on the Danish education and work scene, such as start-ups, industries and educational institutions is also available through Digital Hub Denmark.

Digital Hub Denmark has succeeded in building a thriving community and an environment with fast-growing technological ecosystems, and also facilitates funding and pooling of resources by investors. Deployed as one of Denmark’s main initiatives operating within the framework of Denmark’s digital growth strategy, Digital Hub Denmark advances national digitalisation policy, attracting digital talents throughout the world.

Why is this a good practice?

Since the start of the initiative, Digital Hub Denmark has been working to connect digital talent across Denmark to local, regional, EU and global labour market needs. Ultimately, the aim is to catapult Denmark’s best ICT experts to deliver future-proof solutions and up- and re-skill others. A database of over 20,000 aspiring talents in tech, eager to pursue opportunities within the Danish tech industry, has been created as a result.

Digital Hub Denmark has been instrumental in driving forward Denmark’s contribution towards reaching the targets of the EU Digital Decade of getting to 20 million ICT experts in Europe. The talent pool of digital experts in Denmark increased with 22% from 2021 to 2023. Digital Hub Denmark continues to address digital talent shortages – and is projected to reach 50,000 specialists by 2030, more than double its current figure.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence
Big Data
Blockchain
Robotics
Virtual Reality
Cloud Computing

Level

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

18.10.2023

IT Education Foundation in Latvia — Start(it)

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
IT Education Foundation in Latvia — Start(it)

22.09.2023

IT Education Foundation was established in 2015 and the goals are to promote the Information Technology (IT) sector among schoolchildren as an option when choosing a future profession and to increase the number of children and students, who study programming in-depth in primary schools, secondary schools and universities. Likewise, the foundation is working to foster the development of the education system and economic processes nationally, promoting the Information Technology sector as the foundation of the future economy, as well as materially supporting schoolchildren and students learning about IT.

The IT Education Foundation experts have been actively following changes in education and, thanks to supporters and cooperation partners, have created various learning materials that are available free of charge to all teachers, students and other stakeholders.

Start(IT), BITS, Design & Technology are the best known IT Education Foundation projects

The IT Education Foundation’s first project Start(IT) is a social education project, whose goal is to develop schoolchildren’s digital skills. Start(IT) offers the public the chance to learn computing and programming basics free of charge on the portal www.startit.lv, which is annually visited by 60,000 unique users on average. On this portal, schoolchildren, students and teachers have access to computing teaching programmed and comprehensive teaching materials, which were tried and tested in 2015 in collaboration with the NCE in 153 Latvian schools. Likewise, Start(IT) regularly organises computing and programming courses and events led by various business mentors.

From September 2020 improved teaching content will gradually be introduced in all of Latvia’s schools along the approach being worked on in the project coordinated by the National Centre for Education (NCE), “A Competence Approach to Teaching Content” (Skola2030). The findings and examples obtained in the approbation of computing content devised by Start(IT) serve as the basis with which to develop the new teaching subject of computing, which will be one of the technology sector subject and will be taught in all schools from 1st grade onwards.

The IT Education Foundation’s second project BITS (Baltic IT Society) aims to attract the most capable students from abroad to Latvia’s best IT study programmes. This is necessary in order to reach the 3,000 ICT graduates a year required by the job market, as well as to increase the quality of studies and their competitiveness globally.

The Latvian mobile communications operator SIA Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) and innovations quarter VEFRESH see the opportunity to help to prepare secondary school teachers to teach the subject “Design and Technologies”, so in December 2019 the decision was made to join the IT Education Foundation and to devise a new third project. The teaching subject “Design and Technologies” will replace the erstwhile teaching subject “Home Economics and Technologies” and schools will have the chance to offer it as an optional subject in secondary schools.

Why are the Fund and its projects necessary?

Firstly, demand for IT specialists is growing not only in Latvia, but also elsewhere in Europe. To increase the number of IT specialists in Latvia, the subject of computing needs to be taught in school including programming. Likewise, impressions of programming need to be changed and pupils need to be encouraged to study and work in the IT sector.

Secondly, at present the majority of schoolchildren do not have the opportunity to learn the subject of programming. In order to make this skill, which is so useful in the job market even more accessible, the IT Education Foundation organises teacher trainings so that programming is taught in as many schools as possible.

Finally, we want to encourage the development of the digital skills of schoolchildren, students and every member of the Latvian population. Modern technologies are becoming ubiquitous. Therefore, with every passing day it becoming increasingly vital to practice them every day not only at work, but also at home.

The IT Education Foundation has received several awards and recognitions:

  • In 2016 for its outstanding contribution to education Start(IT) received the AmCham Latvia award “For Personal Growth”;
  • In 2017 Start(IT) received the Accenture Global Awards award;
  • In 2018 UNESCO recognized Start(IT) as one of the 12 best IT education projects.

The IT Education Foundation’s founders are Accenture Latvia, Riga Technical University and MAK IT. The foundation’s supporters are Emergn, EazyBI, Latvian Mobilais Telefons (LMT), ZAB Reihmanis & Partneri, VEFRESH and VISMA. The foundation’s cooperation partners are the National Centre for Education (VISC), Skola2030, Printful, Elements of AI,Riga TechGirls, the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA), the University of Latvia, the Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Latvian Informatics Teachers’ Association, Riga State 1st Gymnasium, Riga 22nd Secondary School, Baltic3D.eu and the portal Skolens.lv.

The foundation is one of the most successful examples of cooperation between the private and public sector, which testifies to the fact that businesses are interested in supporting the foundation’s initiatives, as well as in getting involved in the development of contemporary teaching content.

Follow the foundation on the social media platforms Youtube, Instagram, Facebook.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence
Robotics
Software
Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

22.09.2023

Cyber Security Quiz Austria

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Cyber Security Quiz Austria

14.08.2023

The Cyber Security Quiz is a free learning tool that enables people to learn playfully and interactively how to protect themselves from fraud or attacks on the internet. The quiz is available as a desktop application and as a mobile app for Android and iOS and can be played anywhere at any time.

The topics of the quiz include technical threats such as different forms of malware and ransomware, as well as updates and recommended backup solutions (also for mobile devices). Protection from fraud (phishing, subscription traps, fake online shops, CEO fraud etc.) is also discussed and various solutions for data protection are presented, including practical aspects like how to set good passwords, how to shape reputation on the internet and how to make suitable privacy settings. Cyberbullying and hate speech on the internet are also the focus of a special quiz module. In addition, basic information on copyright and creative commons are presented.

Special quiz modules are dedicated to specific situations such as teleworking from home (this topic covers framework conditions, data storage and data encryption as well as secure WLAN connection and suitable forms of internal communication), internet safety for children (including technical forms of child protection, computer games, and the problem of online addiction) and also online shopping (including methods of payment, buying medicine online and identifying advertisements).

The quiz is aimed at citizens who are interested in the topic “security on the internet” and anyone interested in improving their digital skills.

In addition to the learning content, users have the opportunity to practice what they learned and compete in a quiz duel against other users. The questions in the quiz are based on the Digital Competence Framework for Austria — DigComp 2.2 AT.

The contents “Smartphone”, “Keeping children safe online”, “Online shopping”, “Copyright” and “Home-Office” were recently added with the financial support of the Chamber of Labour of Lower Austria.

By March 2022, the app had already over 6.000 registered users. With a view to further sustainable use, the app was submitted for the “Lernapp” quality label. Various dissemination activities via the press, radio and television were implemented around Safer Internet Day in February 2022.

Types of use of the quiz

In the first step, the learning contents of the Cyber Security Quiz are developed in the library. The knowledge is conveyed using an introduction and concrete scenarios.

Afterwards, the acquired knowledge can be practiced by answering quiz questions. For this purpose, ten questions are asked, which are randomly selected from a diverse pool of questions. Incorrectly answered questions are asked again with repeated practice until they have been answered correctly three times.

After working through the learning content and answering the practice questions, the newfound knowledge is trained playfully. It can be played in the form of a quiz duel against other users.

License

The contents of the Cyber Security Quiz are made available to the public under the license “CC BY-NC 3.0 AT”. More information can be found on the website of ovos media GmbH.

Awards

The Cyber Security Quiz was awarded the eAward in the category “Education and Human Resources Development” in October 2021.

In addition, fit4internet was awarded the prestigious Human Resources Management Award 2020 in Germany for its integrated skills training measures “secCHECK empowers female employees”, which also includes the Cyber Security Quiz.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Level

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

14.08.2023

Social Warning – Italy

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Social Warning - Italy

10.08.2023

Social Warning is a project that brings the topic of digital awareness to schools through a network of young volunteer trainers, all professionals who work with digital technologies on a daily basis. The aim is not to alarm or reassure, but to inform.

The project was born in 2018 with the aim of bringing the topic of digital awareness to Italian schools. The identified need was to inform young people about the risks and opportunities of the internet, illustrating best practices and cases of young people like them who use the internet and social media to work, live, and conduct community projects. To achieve this, the Digital Ethics Movement has created a network of around 300 volunteer trainers throughout Italy, mostly young digital professionals who can set an example for young people.

Get to know the project

At the core of every Social Warning intervention is the dissemination of information on the benefits of new communication technologies, if used with knowledge, awareness, and serenity. The goal is not to alarm or reassure parents, adults, and young people, but to inform them objectively. The movement aims to:

  • Inform about the risks and limits of new technologies
  • Illustrate with concrete examples how these technologies influence our daily lives
  • Facilitate the search for a constant balance between online and offline activities

Sharing stimuli and information is aimed at developing critical awareness of how digital technologies are changing our world, emotions, and social behaviour.

The project specifically consists of two-hour training interventions that explore various topics such as the functioning of major social networks, personal branding, reputation, phenomena such as hikikomori, digital professions (such as social media managers that many high school students still don’t know about), and other topics that each trainer deepens based on their skills. The interventions are more of a conversation than a lecture, and it is from the conversations and requests of the young people that the most interesting ideas emerge.

Why is this a good practice?

The association has also created a scientific observatory that collects anonymous data from young people regarding their use of the internet and social media, and publishes an annual report on the subject. It is increasingly common for training to be requested for an adult audience, especially teachers and parents, as the need for greater awareness of the dynamics of the web and social networks becomes more evident. Social Warning aims to address this need to build a better society online and offline.

The Digital Ethics Movement is now seeking to expand what has already been done in Italy to the European territory. First and foremost, the educational template and format are being refined so that more trainers can join and spread the project, and initiatives are being developed for young Europeans. The first is a hackathon that took place in Rome, involving 70 university students from all over Europe, future decision-makers who came together to find solutions for a better digital future.The other major initiative is the European Digital Citizenship Day, which aims to promote digital education throughout Europe. The first edition has been held in Rome on October 2021

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Digital Skills

Digital Transformation

Level

Basic

Middle

Funding of the good practice

Public

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

TO BE FILLED: Here should be the title of the event in capital letters. The same title goes in the section above "ADD TITLE". Please include the country providing the practice in it.

dd.mm.2023

TO BE FILLED: A brief summary is placed here, followed by the text about the good practice.

Details

Website

www.digitalalliance.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Private

Public

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

EU institutional initiative

International initiative

National initiative

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Other

Organisation providing the good practice

Name of the organisation

Start date

(dd.mm.yy)

End date

(dd.mm.yy)

10.08.2023

UNbreakable Romania

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
UNbreakable Romania

31.07.2023

UNbreakable Romania is an end-to-end cybersecurity educational program for high schools and university studentsfrom Romania by Bit Sentinel. UNbreakable’s mission is to provide young cybersecurity enthusiasts with resources, so useful for developing the skills needed to become good cybersecurity specialists.

Bit Sentinel is involved in various international activities focused at promoting cyber security among young generations, including European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC), ICSC and the national phase (ROCSC) since 2018. Over the years it has been noticed that these competitions are focusing mainly on “elites” – finding best individuals to represent their nation at ECSC/ICSC but organisations do not necessarily want or afford the best. Moreover, even for entry level jobs, companies expect previous experience which in cyber security is hard to get/prove.

UNbreakable’s mission

UNbreakable’s mission is to provide young cybersecurity enthusiasts with the most varied resources, both theoretical and practical, so useful for developing the skills needed to become good cybersecurity specialists.

In addition to an intensive learning environment, the initiative also provides a competitive, testing virtual space that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing. In the end, UNbreakable results can be used when apply for the first jobs by showing the results during the competition.

Get to know the program

The program, which usually takes 3-4 months every year, has four main phases:

  • Bootcamp: Participants can access theoretical and practical resources to familiarize themselves with the competition format and methodology. They can also get in touch with mentors (industry experts and community alumni), participate in theybinars etc.
  • Individual Competition: Participants will compete for 48 hours. The objective is to solve as many cybersecurity challenges as possible and send as many correct answers as possible to reach the top of the leaderboard. At this stage, participants evaluate their performance on an individual level and see what knowledge needs to be improved.
  • Team-Based Competition: In cybersecurity, soft skills such as communication and teamwork are just as important as technical skills. This phase allows participants to form teams of up to 3 members with complementary knowledge to solve exercises in different areas of cyber security for 48 hours. There is one important twist: teams can be formed with their colleagues from the same educational institution. In this way, the premises to create local communities is created.
  • Individual Report: Participants receive a report of their progress for the entire program. This can be used to improve their future skills or show their results during a recruiting process.

Why is this a good practice?

The program is hosted every year in the first half of the year and UNbreakable do not plan for this to stop anytime soon. There have been four organized seasons and a fifth one is currently in progress. Throughout these seasons, a total of three bootcamps have been conducted, and there is an ongoing fourth one. Approximately 50 mentors have been actively involved in guiding the participants.

In terms of content, the program has provided around 150 exercises and labs to the participants. Moreover, every year the the library of educational resources is also improved by introducing new themes and previous year’s exercises. These are part of eight training modules that cover various topics and skills.

 The number of participants is continuously growing as the program progresses.

The program has managed to establish connections with 35 universities and 75 high schools, with representatives from these institutions being involved in the program during 2022. Moreover, out of the 41 counties in the region, the program has consistently managed to have representatives from 39 to 40 counties each year. Moreover, UNbreakable plans to replicate the program in other countries when they find the right partners.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Cybersecurity

Digital skills

Level

Basic

Middle

Funding of the good practice

Private

Public

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

31.07.2023

DiversIT Charter

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
DiversIT Charter

28.07.2023

The DiversIT Charter is a 3-tier certification aimed at reducing gender disparity in IT roles. It serves as both a recognition of a company’s efforts in advancing gender equality in tech, and as inspiration for further diversity and inclusion policies.

Get to know the initative

The DiversIT Charter was developed by the CEPIS Women in ICT expert group, with the aim to reduce gender disparity in IT and tech roles. It is a certification which moves through three levels of attainment: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level has a focus on attraction and retention, asking applicants to showcase their initiatives and policies for increasing gender diversity in ICT professions.

  • Bronze is meant for organisations who are just beginning their journey towards making their tech workplace more gender-equal.
  • Applicants for the Silver level will have already taken significant steps towards gender equality, with internal and external initiatives implemented and planned.
  • Gold level certificate is granted to organisations where (gender) equality in tech has been among priorities for some time, and who have implemented many best practices both internally and externally.

The assessment for the Charter certifications is carried out twice a year, with the certificates being granted in May and in November.

Why is this initiative necessary?

Lack of women in tech has been a priority for CEPIS for a long time. Not to mention that nowadays, almost 50% of companies in Europe struggle to recruit people with the right ICT skills, while (EU average) less than 20% of ICT professionals in Europe are women. The benefits for companies with diverse executives are numerous: they can outperform on profitability by as much as 48%, diverse teams increase productivity and innovation potential, equality creates a stable and dedicated workforce.

While a lot is being done for attraction of women to the technical professions, less is done in the equally important field of retention. Often the reasons for women leaving tech careers are related to unfavourable workplace culture, and it is workplaces themselves who have to drive the change. Therefore, DiversIT has decided to develop an initiative that would help incentivise workplaces to work towards creating a work environment that would be attractive to women professionals.

Who can benefit from this initiative?

With the DiversIT Certification, companies benefit by showing that they have the right values and sensibilities, thus attracting higher-level candidates, demonstrating their compliance with workplace diversity standards, show their alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, more particularly, the SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Thus, making their workplace better and more inclusive and becoming a part of an ever-growing, international community of diversity-conscious businesses. Furthermore, the Charter application process also serves as a source of ideas for more initiatives and policies to increase gender equality, and the international high-level assessment team is always happy to give tailored guidance.

The Charter also benefits women who want to work in tech – by seeing that a company holds the Charter certification, they will know that it has the right values and practices, and will therefore be encouraged to apply.

Why is this a good practice?

The DiversIT Charter can easily be applied to other forms of diversity and inclusion policies – age, race, sexual orientation, ability etc. In long term, the DiversIT Charter will aim to include all forms of diversity. For now, due to limited resources, they focus on women in tech, as women are the biggest ‘untapped talent pool’ for closing the IT skills demand gap. The Charter plans to asses more companies and also establish guidance for other international organizations to replicate best practices. They also aim to have a national Charter ambassador in all European countries, thus expanding their reach beyond the countries represented in CEPIS.

At DiversIT they plan to continue certifying companies across Europe, financed partly by CEPIS, partly by the assessment fees paid by applicants. Also, they are working to find partner organisations in European countries that would serve as ‘ambassadors’, while they already have one in Iceland: promoting the Charter and encouraging companies in their country to apply. Their assessment team are volunteers; they initially rely on volunteer work for the assessments, but may consider remunerated assessors in the future.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

Digital transformation

Level

Middle

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Private

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

Local initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

28.07.2023

Simbioza Mobiln@ – a mobile classroom on wheels

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Simbioza Mobiln@ - a mobile classroom on wheels

24.07.2023

Simbioza Mobiln@ – a mobile classroom on wheels – aims to increase digital skills and competencies among the elderly, focusing in particular on those living in remote and rural areas and actively helping them to become “fearless” users of ICT services, tools, which consequently increases their social inclusion and active participation in society. With the implementation of Simbioza’s model of intergenerational cooperation through volunteering, the project also enhances digital skills among youth and other social groups.

Get to know the initiative

Slovenia has one of the most rapidly ageing populations not only in Europe but also in the world. Although Slovenia has relatively well-developed digital infrastructure (at the level of Digital Frontrunners), only 55% of the population of Slovenia aged between 16 and 74 have at least basic digital skills, which is below the European average (DESI Index), and the elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups, who are finding it particularly difficult to cope with the digital transformation of society.

Simbioza Mobiln@ is not only an answer to bridging the gap between the elderly and digitalization but also first and foremost aims to help the elderly how to use ICT technologies. Digital empowerment enables them to have a higher quality of life, be more independent, informed, and, above all, be more socially included in society. The purpose of that is to provide the elderly a glimpse into the new (future) technologies through the empirical, educational, informal, and interactive experience in order to help them to overcome their fear of using the technologies, which are already available to them. Simbioza Mobiln@ also introduces new flexible forms of learning in an innovative learning environment that supports the development of digital skills among the elderly. Besides free-of-charge ICT workshops, individual counselling and assistance (on the spot), additional service for support is available to them through the Simbioza’s Magda app.

The organisations participating in the project are united within the Simbioza Community, which includes 205 different organisations from all statistical regions of Slovenia (primary and secondary schools, homes for the elderly, other NGOs), as well as many other Slovenian organisations which are not part of the Simbioza Community.

Why is Simbioza Mobiln@ a good practice?

Simbioza Mobiln@ is the first of its kind in Slovenia and in wider region with its latest digital education initiatives, enables the transfer of knowledge in the use of ICT tools and services to the elderly, especially to those who do not have access to knowledge providers or non-formal educational institutions in the field of ICT. Through a classroom on wheels that goes beyond the traditional “four-walled” classroom, Simbioza Mobiln@ reaches out especially to the elderly living in remote areas, thereby contributing to bridge the ICT education gap between urban and rural areas and the gap between Slovenia’s elderly population and the unstoppable progress of technology in general, by enabling the contact with modern technology and raising the awareness of the benefits of the use of ICT tools and services. Besides the execution of different ICT workshops (on the spot) by Simbioza’s staff and local volunteers from the Simbioza Community, the vehicle is also equipped with interactive technologies in the field of entertainment, communication, health, everyday life, etc.

Simbioza’s Magda app is the first mobile application for elderly in Slovenia, which among others includes Magda’s classroom, where various educational materials for independent self-learning and the adopting of new digital skills are available to them, also free of charge. The learning materials are the result of many years of work Simbioza’s experts in the field of digital literacy of the elderly and are also equipped with illustrative video guides, quizzes etc. They have upgraded the mobile app Magda with 30 learning contents (video guides) and 30 quizzes and the app has currently 5200 active users.

Although Simbioza Mobiln@ was launched during the turbulent period of the COVID-19 epidemic, they have executed 143 workshops in the duration of 754 educational hours for 2.506 elderly participants. In addition, they have also executed 125 face-to-face activities for the elderly in a duration of 750 educational hours for 6.412 elderly across Slovenia. In the implementation of project activities, 325 volunteers from all 12 statistical regions in Slovenia were involved.

The project is an illustrative example of the great significance of NGOs in responding quickly and successfully, even in unexpected circumstances (COVID-19), to two of the key challenges of the modern world – a longlived society and digital transformation. In this context, the project places at its core one of the most vulnerable groups, the elderly. Through an innovative approach in giving them access to digital knowledge carriers it gives them the opportunity to become fearless users of ICT.

Simbioza Mobiln@ in 2023

Although the project officially ended on the 31. December 2022, Simbioza Mobiln@ continues to operate successfully. In the period from January 2023 to May 2023, it has carried out 35 visits across Slovenia in which more than 750 participants (elderly, volunteers from local communities) participated in the activities. By the end of 2023, at least 100 more visits are planned, which are estimated to involve at least 2.500 participants.

Moreover, the initiative has been recognized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of the Republic of Slovenia, which, based on the results of the mobile unit, is considering implementing more mobile units to provide training in digital competencies to the elderly. Simbioza Mobiln@, as an example of good practice, can certainly be a starting point and a foundation for implementation in a broader context, i.e. in societies facing the same or similar societal challenges

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Digital transformation

Level

Basic

Funding of the good practice

Private

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

24.07.2023

Women in IT Career Day – Poland

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public-private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Women in IT Career Day - Poland

20.07.2023

Women in IT Career Day is a free online conference for women who are interested in new technologies and want to develop in this direction. The event is attended by leaders of the Polish IT industry and experts in motivation and development.

Get to know the initiative

Women in IT Career Day consists of 8 intensive hours filled with speeches, debates, workshops, and speed mentoring, as well as a solid dose of knowledge, motivation, and inspiration. The guests include top women leaders of the Polish IT industry and experts on motivation and development. In 2022 year, they prepared two paths for attendees:

  • RESTART involves workshops and panel discussions dedicated to women who are at the beginning of their journey to change their professional lives and enter IT.
  • UP:GREAT is for women who have been in the industry for years and are wondering how to climb to the top.

The event was dedicated to women who are at different stages of their IT careers and want to consciously shape their career path:

  • Working in IT but not sure what to do next
  • Already have the right skills and want to get your first job in a new, future-proof industry
  • Looking for inspiration, motivation, and knowledge to reach for more

Why is Women in IT Career Day a good practice?

The Women in IT Career Day 2022 event showcased remarkable figures, with each aspect contributing to its resounding success. Boasting over 2,800 registrations per event, the initiative attracted a diverse audience eager to engage in IT careers.

The conference featured an impressive lineup of 94 speakers, whose expertise inspired attendees. Attendees also benefited from 21 enriching workshops and sessions, as well as 13 speed mentoring sessions, fostering professional growth and guidance.

The event’s reach was amplified through the support of 10 main partners, solidifying its significance in the industry. Seven dynamic discussion panels sparked meaningful dialogues, while two power speeches and two lectures further enriched the event’s knowledge-sharing endeavors.

Solidarity with Ukraine

The war in Ukraine must not go unnoticed at the Women in IT Career Day.  Therefore, the panel discussions on the main stage were translated into Ukrainian, and dedicated path for Ukrainian women – which included workshops, lectures, speed mentoring and recruitment meetings. Notably, over 400 women from Ukraine actively participated, highlighting the event’s international impact.

Women in IT Career Day 2023

The 5th edition of Women’s Day in IT Career Day will take place in November 2023. In this year’s edition, the word International will be added to the name of the event, because in addition to cooperation with Ukraine, will be joined by partners from Europe. The event is going to be online with aim to provide accessibility to all women despite their location or disability, as well as to lessen the environmental impact.

In this edition, two partners will join for international cooperation: Digital Europe and the European Women’s Association.

Details

Website

digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Telecommunications
Software
Digital transformation

Level

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public-private

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

20.07.2023

Weeks of digital art and new technologies

By Bulgaria, Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Private, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Weeks of digital art and new technologies

19.07.2023

ORGANISER

Startup Factory is a non-profit organization that has been working since 2015 to develop the digital and entrepreneurial skills of youth and adults in Ruse and to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bulgaria. In 2022, the organization created a platform with video trainings, webinar recordings and many free resources to help anyone who wants to improve their skills independently wherever and whenever they want.
What have we prepared for you?
Digital Art and New Technology Weeks is an initiative of the Startup Factory association, which is held for the second year in a row and includes summer academies in the digital sphere and entrepreneurship, as well as a series of practical lectures in the field of the latest technologies and artificial intelligence.

For youth and adults
All events are free and will take place in the shared space of the
Startup Factory – Ruse, 10 Tsar Kaloyan Str. , and the Digital Content Creation Academy – at the office of Kyu Online Ltd (QNECTD), 10 Tsar Kaloyan Str. Khan Krum 6, Ground floor.

2 summer academies for youth
The Creating Digital Content Academy awaits young people who want to understand how professionals create YouTube videos and podcasts for popular platforms.

The Discovering Your First Startup Idea Academy is for teenagers – future entrepreneurs in the digital sphere.

Practical lectures on working with AI
We invite anyone who wants to understand how artificial intelligence can make their life easier.

Artists will learn how to work with the AI products Midjourney and Stable diffusion. Youth, educators, business people and anyone interested can take their first steps with Chat GPT in the dedicated workshop.

More details can be found HERE.

Details

Website

www.startupfactory.bg

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Digital skills

Web development

Software engineering

Level

Basic

Middle

Advanced

Funding of the good practice

Private

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Bulgaria

Organisation providing the good practice

Startup Factory

19.07.2023

Pedagogical Centre for Universities

By Country providing the good practice, Funding of the good practice, INSPIRATION: Good practices, National good practice initiative, Other, Public, Type of initiative of the good practiceNo Comments
Pedagogical Centre for Universities

04.07.2023

Background

Training young people with the skills and competencies required by market players is key if we are to foster market growth in IT and other sectors, especially where the desired growth is linked to digital efficiency gains.

As regards the training/education of young people, academic training is often criticised for being unable to keep pace with rapidly changing technological developments, especially in the field of IT. The average age of teachers in Hungarian IT training is very high, a large percentage of the teachers working there are not in the market but only teaching. The IT sector, on the other hand, needs up-to-date market knowledge. The aim of the education fund initiative is to ensure that the knowledge gained by students during university classes is truly up-to-date, practical and from industry, so that after graduation they have the skills and knowledge that market participants need.

The aim of the large-scale national project “Programm your future!” is to increase the number of IT graduates in the coming years, thus contributing to reducing the current shortage of qualified IT staff, which is becoming increasingly important from a national economic point of view.

The main objective of the project is to improve the labour supply, support the development and training of IT competences in higher education so that the training system provides marketable knowledge that meets the needs of economic operators. The project works to introduce students to the technologies used by ICT companies. The project is supported by the Operational Programme using ESF funds. In the project, IVSZ is responsible, among others, for the concept of the so-called training fund and the implementation of the service.

The aim of the programme component is to expand existing and new cooperation between higher education institutions and ICT companies working in their environment, and to involve market specialists of companies in the practical training of universities. A priority objective is to integrate the practical knowledge and experience of companies into higher education IT curricula in order to provide students with practical technological, market and business knowledge and competences in addition to theoretical knowledge during their studies. This element of the project supports the development of cooperation between the two countries and provides practical support for concrete educational cooperation.

The biggest advantage of company tutoring is that it can bring real market knowledge to universities that will later be required by employees in practice. It can also greatly facilitate recruitment as these courses provide a platform to meet students, identify talented students who can later be employed by their company as interns or as full-time employees.

Reserve is also important for universities as there is a general feedback that universities do not have competent teaching staff due to lack of practical knowledge or capacity.

Key areas: Flexibility, DevOps, AI, cloud native, data science, test security, low-code platforms, embedded system technologies, 5G.

How does it really work?

A brokerage company was selected to perform the service of unifying teaching. Universities can identify their tutoring needs at the beginning of the academic year. For example, they have an AI course but no instructor. The university can send a request for a tutor to the intermediary company performing the service (the company was selected as a result of a procurement process). The university may have a specific ideal tutor it would like to invite (but cannot pay), or it may approach this intermediary company without a specific person (in which case only the fact of the demand for the tutor is fixed). If the university has a target person, the mediator hires and invites the person, enters into a contract with the person, facilitates the process to completion, and pays a fee to the instructor. If the university does not have a person in mind, the mediator searches among former teachers who have already been used within the service (pool of teachers), or if there is no person meeting the specified search criteria, he searches an IT company’s database for a suitable person. Invited guest speakers become members of the pool immediately after the first teaching session. The resulting database (pool) is owned by the project. For GDPR reasons, the list of trainers (nor the list of companies employing external trainers) is not public, but only information on the types of training conducted and the priority areas of training is published.

So far this reserve has been realized 4 times (4 procurements in 1-1 academic year)

A checkpoint has also been introduced to ensure the quality of the rigorous trainer placement processes. The need to include a guest lecturer from the market crystallises in universities well in advance of the start of the academic term, at which point they need to present their tutoring needs. Once the lecturer has been selected, the tutors and the university should jointly submit the description of the planned course to a “body” (3 members) which will check that the course covers eligible areas (areas where knowledge is currently lacking in the labour market). A topic description may be rejected if it does not provide market knowledge (e.g. introduction to basic calculus) or if the topic is not requested/requested by market participants. Of the Board members, 2 are IT specialists and 1 is a labour market expert. Each expert presents his/her own position, reasons and makes a decision by consensus. The “Board” considers the description of each topic.

Instructor needs may include an instructor to develop both hard and soft skills. For example, an IT life course was supported to develop soft skills by presenting project management methodologies and practices. IT companies complain a lot that recent graduates do not have appropriate soft skills, for example project-based thinking.

След като приеме описанието на темата, обучителят се подготвя за курса и изнася лекцията. Това може да бъде един урок или цял курс. След обучението, посредническата компания завършва административния процес и плаща на инструктора. Проектът също така извършва съответното плащане към посредника на редовни интервали от време. (от бюджета на проекта — такса за обучител + завършване на целия процес)

 

 

Details

Website

Program your future project

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Digital skills

Big data

Telecommunication

Level

Advanced

Expert

Funding of the good practice

Public

 

Type of initiative of the good practice

National initiative

Country providing the good practice

Other

04.07.2023