Adults of all ages have been learning how to get the most from their computers and the internet through a training project supported by the largest scouting organisation in Poland. A total of 4 370 people – including pensioners and those with special needs – participated in the ‘Flying Academy of Digital Education’ project. It delivered skills training and created a transregional network of 70 digital leaders that operates across 39 communes in Świętokrzyskie and two communes in Śląskie.
- 29 May 2019
My granddaughter told me about the possibility of taking part in the course and I am very glad that she managed to talk me into it. Previously, I never had the opportunity to use a computer, but thanks to the course I can now find my way around it and I am thinking about buying one for myself.
The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association carried out promotional and recruitment activities to attract people to the training courses. Those taking part received around 32 hours of support, which was partly tailored to individual needs. The number of people taking the courses is equivalent to 1.2 % of the population of the municipalities in the project. Around 5 % of those undertaking training were people with disabilities.
Meeting everyday needs
The goal was to strengthen basic digital competences so that people can deal with everyday matters such as managing their bank accounts online, creating social media entries, using instant messaging and making purchases via the internet. In addition, participants were taught how to produce content for their own blogs and websites. The courses helped people set up user profiles to access local government e-services available through ePAUP, Poland’s Electronic Platform of Public Administration Services.
The teaching was designed to be practical and flexible. Instructors could create their own lesson plans and tests and students could post or share the teaching materials they used in classes.
Implementation of the project has been complemented by the creation of a network of public internet access points in each of the communes covered. These are located in municipal libraries, offices and schools and are available to anyone who needs access to the internet.
The network of digital leaders
The cooperation network of digital leaders created within the project will lead to the exchange of knowledge and experience. Digital leaders – trainers leading the classes – were recruited from among people with appropriate competences, who enjoy the trust and authority of commune inhabitants. After completing the training, in cooperation with local scout teams, they will carry out activities promoting digital competences in local communities.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Flying Academy of Digital Education’ — Enhancing the digital skills of people aged 18+” is EUR 1 483 788 (PLN 6 357 488), with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 255 543 (PLN 1 255 543) through the “Digital Poland” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “ICT”.