e-Citizen is an international certification specifically developed by the ECDL Foundation for people with a limited knowledge of computers and the Internet. The e-Citizen program is open to everyone regardless of status, education, age, ability and is aimed at improving the skills and the self-confidence needed to use the various internet services offered by government or companies to all citizens.

Description of target users and groups

e-Citizen related services (learning, certification) are addressed to all citizens of the digital era. Since they are driven by no profit entities having special attention to the accessibility issues, such services are contributing to avoid digital divides and facilitate e-inclusion. The ideal e-Citizen target groups include people with poor digital literacy, older people, people with disabilities, marginalised people with the goal of enabling all them to participate in the information society.

Main results, benefits and impacts

Several pilot project have been successfully completed in 2007, setting the ground for wider projects all over Italian territory, with the support of local administration. Real challenge is to really improve the level of e-participation of the citizens through the equal access opportunities to training. This goal can only be reached by a strong support by local governments.

Return on investment

Return on investment: Not applicable / Not available

Track record of sharing

The dissemination effort for e-Citizen campaign 2008 will need a continuous awareness enforcement of the benefits associated with this form of e-inclusion. A number of events, seminars, direct meetings and talks with public authorities and possible sponsors would be facilitated by an European endorsement.

Lessons learnt

Not yet available Scope: National