Inclusive Digitalisation in the European Union - INDEU

Take part in our crowdsourcing to help shape and drive digital transformation across Europe. Together, we can understand better and propose solutions to tackle the lack of digital skills and the shortage of ICT specialists, especially women, in Europe.

This crowdsourcing will focus on identifying the main challenges related to these two problems in six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Romania, and Spain). It will engage more than 1.800 citizens to co-design possible solutions. The outcome will be a set of concrete policy recommendations for decision-makers to promote a more inclusive digital future.

Why are we running this crowdsourcing?

- Basic Digital Skills- numbers are still too low! In today’s digital age, basic digital skills are essential for full participation in society. However, according to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI 2024), only 59.4 % of Belgians aged 16-74 possess basic digital skills. Across the EU, this issue is even more pronounced in older age groups and rural areas.

- ICT Professions: too few and a gender gap ICT (Information and Communication Technology) professions are essential for innovation, efficiency, and connectivity in all industries. In 2021, 68.5% of businesses in Belgium had trouble filling ICT specialist positions. Women are underrepresented in this field, with big gaps in both education and careers. Only 19% of ICT specialists in the EU are women and in Belgium, they make up just 18% of ICT professionals, even though women represent 46% of the overall workforce.

Help us identify why citizens lack basic digital skills and how we can increase ICT Specialists. We want to ensure citizens are included in the digital transformation process happening in Europe, so share your recommendations for decision-makers to take on board!