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About this Project

Digital Communities will develop solutions to increase digital capacity in rural communities across Northern Ireland and cross-border areas. The project aims to strengthen digital inclusion and economic resilience by building capacity at individual, organisational, and sectoral levels. Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), Digital Communities is led by The Wheel, alongside partner organisations NICVA, Volunteer Now, CEAI, WRDA, The Bytes Project, Grow Remote, Enterprise NI, The Leslie Foundation.

The Digital Communities project aims to assist people, organisations, and businesses to better understand information and communications technology and how they can use it to positively improve their lives and wider community. The initiative will particularly support youth work organisations, women’s groups, and community enterprise hubs by providing digital tools to enhance social services for disadvantaged groups and local economic development. The data gathered will be publicly shared to improve planning, inform future government policy, and support the sector. The pilot will operate across five remote rural areas (Causeway Coast, Mid-Ulster, Strabane/Lifford border, Newry, and the Glaslough/Caledon border) addressing digital exclusion and supporting social and economic development.

This project aims to develop tailored support for volunteers and individuals, community and voluntary organisations, local businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises, and remote workers and potential remote workers through capacity building to develop digital skills, and improving access to and effective use of information and communications technology.