Picture a teenager armed with their brand new 5G phone.
They might not be the archetype when it comes to “digital exclusion”, but if they’re only using the device to swipe left and right on social media they’re not using it to their advantage. Unfamiliarity with the technology and lack of confidence could be holding them back from new skills and life opportunities.
It’s just one aspect of the broad digital poverty issue that a new fund - steered by North East tech cluster Dynamo - hopes to tackle. The Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund has already secured prominent tech sector backers such as Leighton Group co-founder Paul Callaghan, and now hopes to attract more like him in its mission to narrow the digital divide.
While North East-specific data on digital exclusion may be scant, there are some indicators that the region is among the worst affected in the Ƶ. Proportions of people offline are higher than average; lower levels of digital engagement and weaker confidence in using the internet are all features of the region. The Community Foundation - which will hold the Digital Inclusion Fund pot - highlighted in a recent report that lack of connectivity, skills and access barriers and affordability are contributing to the complex problem which, unsurprisingly, impacts the region’s most disadvantaged and socially excluded above others.
“There are already organisations out there doing a lot of things around digital inclusion,” says David Dunn, CEO of Dynamo North East. “There are companies and organisations donating their used kit, which is great because it gives people devices. There are organisations that are either giving away free connectivity or subsidising connectivity, or even offering funds to buy connectivity.
“So you might have some kit and some form of connectivity but then there are potentially two things missing: the skills to do something with that, which is actually going to make a difference in your life, and even if you have the skills, do you have the confidence to do something that is ultimately going to change your life? They are the two bits we want to focus on.”
While “not a massive amount of money” in its initial stages, the Digital Inclusion Fund will look to do things differently. Mr Dunn says he wants to apply the agility and risk-taking approach that has created success in the tech sector to the digital exclusion issue - making decisions on grants speedy and keeping down the administrative burden for those applying.
At first, small sums of about £2,000 to £4,000 will be given out - perhaps enough to pilot an idea. If the concept is successful, it’s hoped that other funds can be aligned to step in and take it further forward.
The fund hopes to touch some of the hardest to reach communities in the region - both socioeconomically and geographically. To do so, Dynamo will work with the voluntary and community sector to reach those that need it most. Where there are already digital inclusion programmes - perhaps via schools or local authorities - funding will be allocated to projects that aim to complement them and fill in gaps.
“It’s the principles of just ‘having a go’ that we need to encourage,” says Mr Dunn. “Success for me in this area is giving people the skills, confidence and opportunities. And don’t get me wrong - it’s perfect if they’re going to work in the tech sector but, actually, it might give them the skills to get a different job, or the skills to meet people and to be more social - there are lots of different markers.”
The region may yet emerge as a centre of innovation when it comes to digital inclusion, says the Community Foundation, which points to the likes of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and its work around the ‘internet of caring things’ as evidence of its strengths. But while the public charity is supportive of philanthropic funding’s role in promoting digital inclusion, it says it cannot be a substitute for the scale of investment needed.
With no shortage of ambition in the North East tech sector, Dynamo is looking to tap into its expertise and coffers via its annual Chairman’s Dinner. This year’s event, at Wylam Brewery in March, is taking its cues from the Leeds Digital Ball - which has played a similar role in combatting digital exclusion and last year raised £65,000. Dynamo says the event has evolved to become the North East Tech Charity Dinner - drawing on its convening power to raise money for the fund.
Talk of the idea was already under way when Dynamo presented its flagship Dynamites Awards late last year. Mr Dunn explained: “Everybody in that room - and there were about 470 people at the awards - had benefited in some way from digital tech. And that’s not an opportunity afforded to everyone.”
Amid the fundraising activities on the night, attendees will hear from serial entrepreneur Paul Callaghan about the launch of the fund - for which applications will open in April. He said “We are rightly proud of the growth of the tech sector in this region, which has excellent companies and a fantastic workforce, yet we still have one of the highest rates of poverty and digital exclusion in the Ƶ.
“People face greater inequality and economic disadvantage without access to digital technology and the internet. This often harms children and young people's education and career opportunities. For older people, it can lead to social isolation and a damaging lack of access to online services.I know how generous the people of this region can be and working collectively as a business community, we can help to address the challenge of digital poverty and change the lives of many people.”
