Digital Facilitators Network (2nd ed.)

Participating entities: Laboratori d'Innovació Social i Digital (LISD) – UVic-UCC, Comunalitat de Vic, Ajuntament de Vic, EAP del Remei, Punt Òmnia del Pla del Remei, Creu Roja d'Osona, AVV de l'Horta Vermella, Associació Casal Claret, AVV El Sucre, Centre Cívic Montseny, Casal Cívic i Comunitari Mossèn Guiteras.

Description:

The Digital Facilitation Network (*XFD) is a community initiative of Vic that aims to reduce digital inequalities and promote social inclusion through training and digital support to citizens. In its second edition, it has trained 15 volunteers in basic digital skills and digital facilitation, through a 10-hour course. These people have acted as support agents in 6 support points throughout the city, attending to the digital needs of neighbors for 44 days over a period of 4 months.

The project has the collaboration of local entities such as the LISD (UVic-UCC), the City Council of Vic, the EAP of Remei, the Red Cross or the Casal Claret, among others. In addition to improving the digital competence of the participants, the XFD has generated a collaborative space for learning and mutual support, identifying challenges such as difficulties of access to digital services. This is a community model that puts technology at the service of people, with an inclusive and transformative approach.

• Participants: The training is aimed at people of various ages and profiles, with the objective of forming a group of facilitators capable of actively intervening in their communities.

• Objectives:

1. Create and train a network of digital enablers
2. Training citizens in basic digital skills
3. Improving social and labor market inclusion through digital training
4. To reduce inequalities in access to digital technologies, especially among vulnerable groups.

Reflections

The second edition of the XFD has shown a positive impact on community and volunteer collaboration in digital inclusion. The accompaniment has sought to improve the digital skills and autonomy of the participants, strengthening their confidence in the digital environment.

This second edition has shown the need for more adequate spaces and sufficient equipment, as well as the need to strengthen the training of facilitators in pedagogical and ethical aspects. It was also noted that institutional digitization can widen inequalities if equitable access is not guaranteed. Initiatives such as *XFD are very important to build a more inclusive and humane digitization.