Digital inclusion shapes our lives. It is a precondition for accessing digitalised public services such as healthcare, social protection and education, and for participating in democracy and the labour market. Thus, digital inclusion is more than a technological matter. The European Commission frames digital inclusion as an EU-wide effort to ensure everyone can contribute to and benefit from the digital world, addressing connectivity, affordability, accessibility, digital skills and language barriers.
Cities are the level of government closest to citizens and uniquely placed to address the most important challenges related to digital inclusion. In many cities, digital tools are increasingly used to access social services and essential services. Digital communications are included alongside water, sanitation, energy, transport and financial services in the EU definition of essential services.
Digital inclusion is a European shared competence area. This means the European Union provides the strategic framework, legislation, funding and coordination mechanisms for digital inclusion through policies on connectivity, digital skills, accessibility, digital public services and digital rights. National governments, regions and cities, on the other hand, are responsible for implementation and service delivery.
Eurocities and its member cities support digital transformation that is inclusive, sustainable and fair, with people’s needs and rights at its core. At the EU level, the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade outlines the principles for a people-centred digital transformation. A rights-based approach to digital inclusion should combine reliable infrastructure with accessible and multilingual services, targeted skills support and outreach that ensure inclusive participation in digital society. This report is conceived as an evidence-based policy document, placing cities at the centre of Europe’s response to the digital divide
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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