Digital Inclusion for Roma Adults: Gaining Knowledge and Skills in eServices

<< Background >>Among Roma communities and Roma minorities in Europe, there is a lack of resources, access and knowledge when it comes to eServices and digitalisation. We wanted to address the pressing issue of digital inequality and exclusion affecting Roma adults across Europe. As digitalisation continues to transform societies, many Roma communities are left behind and excluded, unable to thrive in an increasingly digital world. This project seeked to shed light on the challenges as well as opportunities faced by Roma minorities and to explore actionable solutions for fostering digital inclusion.The specific needs addressed were:Educational disparities, such as digital skills gap and language barriers; social exclusion in the form of marginalization as well as intersectional exclusion; policy advocacy, advocating for change and collaborative approach; and community development in the form of community resilience and material resources.<< Objectives >>Our primary goal through this project was to foster inclusive societies where Roma adults have equitable rights, access to essential services, and opportunities for knowledge acquisition. Specifically, we aimed to enhance Roma adults' proficiency in utilizing digital tools and eServices, thereby empowering them to navigate and benefit from digital environments effectively.Furthermore, our objective included influencing policies concerning the Roma community. We sought to establish collaborative transnational frameworks to promote a model of excellence in Roma adult education and eServices across local, regional, national, and international levels.Central to our efforts was the overarching aim of improving the socio-economic status of Roma adults through comprehensive IT education and the development of digital skills. By equipping them with these competencies, our intention was to facilitate their integration into society, enabling them to access electronic services readily available in their communities.<< Implementation >>The project implemented activities, strengthening Roma adults’ digital skills. These included developing the functional DIRA learning platform and training material as well as language courses, training of trainers and training the Roma on using the learning platform and eServices, and increasing Roma adults’ language skills. A baseline study was developed, piloted and carried out in order to better understand the needs and skills of Roma adults. Networking, information dissemination and policy recommendations were also part of the project activities. In addition to that, we carried out national roundtables, international roundtable and transnational partner meetings.The activities directly link to the project’s objectives and priorities. The implementation of the survey gave us necessary basis on the needs related to digital skills among the Roma. The material and the platform were the main source to use by the trainers when they trained the Roma. By training the Roma to use digital tools and e-services we improved their social inclusion. The content and materials will remain as free source for altogether five years; the project offers open access to the developed DIRA learning platform and material supporting adult education<< Results >>Project results consist of the developed DIRA learning platform, training material and trainings supporting Roma adults’ capacity to use digital tools for eServices and in education. The project positively impacted transfer of knowledge within the Roma and encouraged them to participate in adult education also in the future. Project influenced policies and practical work of diverse stakeholders. It also increased knowledge and skills of the participating partner organizations. These are all connected to the goals and activities of the DIRA project. Through the publications and the study we increased the awarness and knolwdge about the situation of Roma, also Roma migrant skills and digital access. These were the concrete outputs of the project:- Enhanced digital skills and eService usage among Roma adults.- Development of a model of good practice for Roma adult education and eServices.- Positive impact on policy and practical work of various stakeholders.- Increased knowledge and skills among the participating partner organizations.- Encouragement of Roma adults to engage in further adult education.- Improved socio-economic status of Roma adults.