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15/03/2007
Sunderland has won the Communities and Local Government’s Digital Challenge competition for its plans to deliver a digitally enabled community that will benefit some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people in the area. As the winner, Sunderland is recognised as an example of best practice in the use of ICT technologies to tackle social exclusion. Technology companies of all sizes offered products and services to the participants in the Challenge, amounting to over £11million. Intellect, the trade association for the UK technology industry, supported the Challenge, organising industry’s participation in the competition and helping to judge it. Tom Wills-Sandford, deputy director general of Intellect commented: “The Digital Challenge demonstrates the power of true partnership between industry and the public sector. Early involvement from industry has lead to a wealth of innovation. The range of technologies used in the bids to address the issue of social inclusion is truly remarkable. Intellect has been a conduit between industry and the public sector in the Challenge and helped ensure private sector funding for some of the community projects put forward. Social exclusion is barrier to the advancement of our nation and we would very much like to be involved in future programmes to combat it.” The Digital Challenge initiative invites local authorities, in partnership with public sector organisations, industry and the voluntary sector, to submit plans to drive forward the use of technologies to better meet the needs of its local community and individual citizens. The plans must include ways to tackle issues relating to social exclusion through the innovative application of technology. From the 79 initial submissions, ten finalists were chosen last year. Since then they have formed the DC10 Group and have been working together to share best practice. Minister for Local eGovernment, Angela Smith said: “Digital inclusion is about more than new technologies. It is an opportunity to solve problems and improve the lives of people in our communities. All the finalists have led the way in the UK and should be seen as true regional digital inclusion champions. Together as the new DC10 they will continue to galvanise thinking, unleash creativity and raise the agenda, both locally and nationally.” Sunderland’s proposals will see its community benefiting from a number of initiatives including community e-champions working in their local area to help vulnerable people access computer and internet services, helping children at risk of underachieving at Key Stage 3 and an e-mentoring scheme working for children and young people.
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