Digital Literacy for Everyone
The Local Challenge
In Austevoll, a geographically dispersed island municipality with an ageing population, many seniors struggle to access essential online services. Tasks like booking a doctor’s appointment on Helsenorge or using BankID for banking are now daily necessities, yet without the skills to navigate them, some find themselves dependent on family, friends, or no one at all. When the library’s regular digital guidance sessions stopped due to staffing changes, the gap became even more visible. In a place where the population is ageing and communities are spread out, the risk of digital exclusion is also a risk of social isolation.
The Initiative
Building on the success of programmes like “Seniorsurf” and “Datahjelp,” Digital Literacy for Everyone offers regular drop-in help, one-on-one guidance, and small group workshops. Participants learn practical skills, from using smartphones and tablets to accessing vital public services, always in a friendly, patient, and supportive setting. A new wave of volunteer digital mentors are trained at the library, drawing on local knowledge and community spirit to ensure continuity.
What’s Next?
The project will deliver at least 40 digital support sessions, directly engaging a minimum of 150 participants, including residents who have not previously used library services. The volunteer mentor network will be expanded to at least ten trained individuals, providing sustainable capacity beyond the project period. By year’s end, participants are expected to have the skills to independently access at least one essential online public service, contributing to greater confidence, reduced social isolation, and stronger community ties. The results will not stay local: the tested approach will be shared across regional networks, offering a practical model for other small island municipalities working to bridge the digital divide.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
