Bridging the Gap in Digital skills for migrants and refugees

"<< Background >>The ongoing process of digitalization in Europe, which continually extends its reach into more aspects of life at an ever-accelerating pace, results in vulnerable groups in society increasingly falling behind or being left out, meaning they lack access to essential societal functions. This is exacerbated by the fact that digitalization is characterized by: exerting pressure on our actions and decision-making - It is impossible to escape - Everyone is affected - It permeates all areas of life - It has almost no degree of voluntariness (Rosa, H. ""Weltbeziehungen im Zeitalter der Beschleunigung: Umrisse einer neuen Gesellschaftskritik"", Berlin 2012). Refugees and migrants, belonging to the most vulnerable groups, face challenges hindering them while demands are placed on them to integrate and participate in societal life. Additionally, there are sometimes formal and legal barriers preventing them from accessing digital tools. In this way, refugees and migrants are hindered not only from accessing their rights but also from fulfilling their obligations.Our project has focused on the disparities this creates, and the project's outcomes provide useful tools to bridge the digital divide faced by the target group.<< Objectives >>Our project has been aimed at: Addressing digital transformation through development of digital and accessible tools. Creating upskilling pathways, improving accessibility and increasing uptake of adult migrants and refugees.Enhancing inclusion of migrants and fostering their paths to autonomy Facilitating the efforts of public administrations at EU, national and local levels to manage the integration of migrants and to tackle the digital gap. Facilitating communication with migrants and their access to services such as education, welfare and healthcare systems within the host communities Improve migrant groups learning skills by creating adapted digital tools. Improve the circumstances for professional results of social workers and partner organizations and beyond.<< Implementation >>Activities done to collect the information and data:Interviews with the target group, individually and in focus groups.Surveys.During the collection of facts/information, we have ensured that different ages, genders and ethnicities have been represented. Similarly, various social circumstances. E. g. Single/in a relationship, living in a family/without a family, Parent/not a parent, working/not working, etc.Interviews with people working with migrants and refugees, individually and in focus groups.To sum up, our project has: -Improved the service provided by the partners to migrants and refugees groups. -Reinforcedmigrant and refugees know-how and experience on using virtual tools. -Reinforced their digital know-how and tools. -Have createdaccess to open and free innovative methodologies for social inclusion. -Eeversed the digital illiteracy of migrants andrefugees contrasting their fewer opportunities and the risk of social exclusion. -Boosted acquisition of valuable skills bymigrants and refugees, made them more employable and autonomous (increasing self-confidence, generating morepositive self-perceptions, etc.) - Promoted networking and cooperation between different organizations.<< Results >>Methodological framework for identifying the digital divide and its application for the target group. Toolkits of knowledge transfer to address the specific detected and selected digital needs for each partner. The toolkit includes 14 digital tools to bridge the digital divide; eight PP presentations and six videos in the language of the partner countries as well as English.Open Educational Resource: E-platform adapted and accessible for target group More than 300 key beneficiaries (target group) of the outcomes of this project More than 50 organizations working with migrants directly using the project outcomes. Designed e-content for organizations’ websites Social media posts for publicity anddissemination purposes. 2 newsletters 6 Multiplier Event to spread the project outcomes for exploitation purposes"