There are significant challenges faced by groups at risk of digital exclusion. This working paper stresses the importance of early user involvement in the innovation process, strategic collaboration and the sharing of best practices across the Nordic-Baltic Region. It calls for comprehensive strategies to address digital exclusion and promote digital inclusion, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from the digital transition.
Digitalisation is transforming societies across the Nordic and Baltic countries, offering new opportunities for participation, access to services and social inclusion. However, this transformation also risks leaving behind individuals and communities who face structural, social or technical barriers to digital engagement.
The focus of the working paper is on digital inclusion and groups at risk of digital exclusion – including older adults, immigrants, rural populations, persons with disabilities, children and young people. These groups face challenges such as lower ownership rates of digital tools, weaker digital skills and barriers to accessing digital services.
This working paper provides an overview aimed at fostering an inclusive digital transition in Nordic and Baltic societies. Based on the findings, these are the recommendations for working with digital inclusion:
- Promote early and continuous user involvement
- Strengthen digital infrastructure in rural areas
- Develop targeted digital literacy programmes
- Support cross-sectoral collaboration
- Address systemic and intersectional barriers
- Ensure child rights impact assessments
- Create a Nordic repository of accessible digital solutions
The working paper is developed as part of Nordregio’s project Digital Inclusion in Action. It summarises insights from a range of activities, publications, focus group interviews, surveys, workshops and meetings, conducted by the Nordic Welfare Centre (NWC) and Nordregio.
