Local councils and charities are being urged to apply for a share of 拢9.5m in new UK Government funding to boost grassroots efforts tackling digital exclusion and help more people across the country get online.
Backed by the UK Government as part of its Plan for Change, the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund will support initiatives such as community workshops to improve digital confidence and schemes providing devices like phones and laptops to those without internet access.
Digital exclusion remains a significant challenge across the UK, with 19m people lacking access to devices and basic digital skills.聽
Those without digital access can face barriers to work, struggle to access vital public services and pay up to 25% more for essentials like insurance, train tickets and groceries.
鈥淭his 拢9.5m Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is a much needed boost to grassroots efforts for the one in five adults and children who are digitally excluded,鈥� said Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance (pictured, main image).聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraging to see the government investing in tailored digital inclusion programmes for local neighbourhoods, because real change begins in the communities most left behind.聽
鈥淧rioritising affordability as a central pillar can have a significant impact on millions across the country and should play a major part in public sector investment initiatives.
鈥淒igital inclusion isn鈥檛 a 鈥榥ice to have鈥�. It鈥檚 the lifeline that connects people with education, healthcare, employment and fair access to essential services.聽
鈥淲ith this committed funding and the leadership of local partners, we鈥檙e getting increasingly closer to making online access a reality for everyone.鈥澛�
In England, local government, charities and research organisations can apply for grants of between 拢25,000 and 拢500,000 to boost digital skills and inclusion in their communities.
The fund builds on commitments set out in the Government鈥檚 Digital Inclusion Action Plan, released earlier this year, which outlined the first steps to tackling digital inequality so that technology can be harnessed by everyone.聽
By targeting funding at organisations embedded in their communities, the initiative aims to support the most effective and innovative solutions, with potential for wider rollout across the UK.
UK Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, added: 鈥淚t is unacceptable that in 2025, millions of people across the UK simply can鈥檛 access the vast opportunities that technology and the online world offers.聽
鈥淭hrough this funding, we鈥檙e moving further to empower local leaders and groups nationwide who are already working tirelessly to get their communities connected and change countless lives for the better.鈥�