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Digital inclusion moves on in Wales

This is our first blog entry on the New Start website, and I'm delighted to kick things off with some good news.

At the Wales Co-operative Centre, we're excited about being part of a recently-formed consortium that will be delivering a new programme - Communities 2.0 - on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. This will see the development of social enterprises in Wales becoming more closely aligned with the local digital inclusion agenda.

The new programme is the successor to Communities@One which some of you may have heard of. Whereas Communities@One focused on digital inclusion, Communities 2.0 will pay greater attention to the economic, as well as the social potential of ICT; with community-based IT projects being helped to develop entrepreneurial elements in their work, while supporting existing social enterprises to make more of digital technology.

There will also be a focus on helping individuals to gain new ICT skills, to help them move into the job market.

It is part of the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to spending nearly £20m over the next six years to tackle digital exclusion in some of Wales' most deprived areas. Funding has come, in part, from the European Regional Development Fund.

We'll be working in partnership with a range of organisations including the University of Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services and Novas Scarman, with each leading on a particular element of the initiative and helping to develop thematic Centres of Excellence.

We've already received a number of enquiries from those interested in Communities 2.0, particularly those who may look to access the support that will become available including training, mentoring and business support.

If you would like more information on Communities 2.0, please contact us at the Wales Co-operative Centre on 029 2055 4955, visit www.walescoop.com or leave a comment on this blog. Thank you.