Unveiling the insights from Digital Village’s participatory context analysis

The Our Digital Village project, launched in January 2023, is a collaborative effort spanning across Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Romania. The mission of the project is to intervene in rural areas by co-creating high-quality educational content tailored to local needs and fostering long-term digital transformation through active awareness raising. After a long and successful year, the Our Digital Village project and its partners are delighted to share the project’s newsletter, highlighting the progress and insights gained during this transformative work aimed at empowering rural communities through digital and transversal skills development.

In this edition, the outcomes of the project’s participatory context analysis are highlighted, a vital step in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities in the digital age

The project commenced with a focus on identifying the digital education needs of rural communities using the Reciprocal Maieutic Approach (RMA). Twelve trainers from partner organisations underwent specialised training on RMA to equip them with the skills to facilitate self-analysis workshops effectively. Following the training, a comprehensive Manual was published as a foundational resource for implementing self-analysis workshops. This manual serves as a guide for maieutic coordinators during workshops and a reference for future trainers committed to driving educational change through participatory processes.

A series of informative sessions were also conducted in rural areas to underscore the importance of digital and transversal skills for various facets of life, including the labour market, education, and overall societal well-being. These sessions have already reached over 120 individuals, sparking discussions and fostering a deeper understanding of the project’s objectives. Additionally, partnerships were forged with municipalities, educational institutions, and organisations in participating countries to create a collaborative Digital Village Community. This network will support the implementation of the project and ensure its sustainability beyond the project’s duration.

Nine workshops were organised in each implementing country, engaging a total of 276 participants from diverse backgrounds, including students, educators, adult learners, and policy makers. These workshops facilitated open dialogue and collaboration among different stakeholder groups, leading to a better understanding of local needs and fostering a sense of community. And, with the possibility to address the identified needs, a co-design process was initiated to develop practical educational solutions. Ten ICT experts underwent training in Italy to leverage maker technologies and contribute to the development of an interactive ODV Activity Kit. 

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we continue our journey towards a digitally empowered future for all.