The Communities 2.0 project provides £16 million over 6 years to support digital inclusion initiatives in Wales. It helps individuals and organizations access digital technologies and skills training. Some impacts include helping over 5,000 people and 250 organizations professionalize, increase efficiency, and sustain themselves. Challenges include poor connectivity, skills gaps, volunteer turnover, and changing technologies. The future involves expanding broadband access, increasing beneficiaries, and strategic partnerships.

1. Communities 2.0 update
and
Maximise Your Use of Digital Media to Build Audiences, Consult, Campaign and Deliver Impact
Josh Hoole
Circuit Rider Development Manager, Communities 2.0
14 March 2012

3. What we‟ll cover
1. The Project
2. The Impacts
3. The Challenges
4. The Future

4. Communities 2.0
• Funded through Welsh Government and
European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF)
• £16m over 6 yrs
• April 2009 – March 2015
• Supports:
• Enterprises
• Third Sector organisations
• Individuals

5. What is Digital Inclusion?
• Getting people online
• 8.73million non-liners in UK
(ONS)
• 785,000 non-liners in Wales
• Over 66% are Older People
• Majority of the rest are:
• In Social Housing
• Unemployed
• Low waged
• Disabled people

6. Why Digitally Include?
• Being online is fundamental to being
an active citizen, consumer, employee,
friend...
• Families can save between £250 - £550
per year
• Able to access information & services
online
• Barriers are Inspiration, Skills & Price
• C2.0 has helped over 5,000 people &
250 Organisations

8. The Impact – Why do we do it?
1. Professionalisation of the Sector
2. Impact of Technology on
efficiency and effectiveness
3. Sustainability impact
4. Ability to play with the big boys
5. Technology underpins all
organisations

9. The Impact – Who do we help?
1. Support for third sector
including social enterprises
2. C2.0 operates in top 30%
LSOA‟s
• Expanding in Phase 2
3. Focus on
• Older People
• People with Disabilities
• Social Housing
• Economically inactive

10. The Impact – How do we help?
CVC
Tech
We offer appropriate and Training
Days
sustainable technology
Digital
solutions Inclusion
Circuit
Rider
for
Support
Members
Online
Capacity
Comms
Build
Support

11. PATCH
1. Improved online marketing and
improved website = increased
donations
2. Facebook & website to highlight
items they are “desperate for” =
more relevant donations
3. No more need for a newsletter =
reduced costs & more time
4. General „backroom‟ tech support
= increased efficiency

12. The Challenges
• Poor connectivity
• Skills, Inspiration & Cost
• Volunteers & turnover
• Mindset change for organisations
• Time for meaningful support
• Sourcing new clients

13. The Future – what‟s next?
• Changing tech landscape
• Cloud and mobile technologies
• SMS
• Ubiquitous Social Media
• Increased beneficiary numbers
due to direct DI work + JCP+
• PAVS leading Wales vols plan
• Strategic initiatives & alliances
• Regional working

14. Any Questions?

15. clickconnectdiscover.org
@Communities2_0
@jho3446
0845 474 8282