Association “Langas į ateitį” and the joint activity group consisting of the association “Public Internet Access Points (VIPT)”, UAB IT AKADEMIJA, and the Association of Municipal Public Libraries have signed a contract for the provision of training services under the project “Connected Lithuania: Development of Digital Skills.”
Within the framework of the national project “Connected Lithuania: Development of Digital Skills,” free training sessions titled “Digital Skills: Public E-Services for Everyday Use” will be organized in the counties of Kaunas, Alytus, Marijampolė, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Klaipėda, Tauragė, and Telšiai, with 7,900 participants to be trained.
The project “Connected Lithuania: Development of Digital Skills” is implemented by the State Digital Solutions Agency together with its partners: the association “Langas į ateitį” and the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania.
Project objective – to enhance the digital skills of socially vulnerable and socially excluded residents, reduce digital exclusion, and strengthen adults’ ability to fully benefit from available digital solutions. The project aims to create conditions enabling residents to make broader use of electronic services, reduce the digital divide, and encourage the acquisition and improvement of digital skills among people living in remote areas, older adults, unemployed individuals, persons with disabilities, and other population groups who still do not use digital technologies or whose skills in effectively using these technologies are insufficient.
As more and more services become digitalized, the digital exclusion of older adults is increasing. Some older residents do not have the means to purchase smart devices. Although they may use open internet access at approximately 1,200 public library branches—where digital consultations are often provided—they are frequently hindered by a lack of confidence in their own abilities or in new technologies, as well as by the absence of a supportive community environment that would encourage and assist them in acquiring new digital skills and making effective use of online services.
The project seeks to build on the experience of the implementing organizations and further develop residents’ ability to fully and effectively use digital solutions. This will enable a broader segment of society to access electronic services, reduce digital exclusion, promote the acquisition and improvement of digital skills, and strengthen overall digital literacy across society.
Greater attention will be given to residents of remote areas, older adults, unemployed individuals, persons with disabilities, and other target groups who still do not use digital technologies or whose skills in effectively using these technologies are insufficient. These groups often face greater challenges in using technology: they may lack sufficient skills or feel insecure about using new technologies; access to technology may be limited; and persons with disabilities may encounter accessibility barriers.
The project also aims to increase the use of electronic services. This includes public services such as healthcare, education, and social protection, as well as commercial services such as online banking and e-commerce. Improved digital skills enable people to use these services more conveniently and efficiently and to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the ongoing digital transformation.
The project contributes to the implementation of Progress Measure No. 05-002-01-07-08 “Develop technological solutions and tools enabling safe and convenient use of services” under the 2021–2030 Digital Development Program of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, specifically within the activity “Development of language resource-based artificial intelligence technology solutions.”
Project duration: from October 28, 2024 to April 30, 2026.
Project implemented by:
