The recently launched "Come Along!" project ("Ole Kassas!" in Estonian) aims to provide basic and advanced computer training to 100 000 people while connecting 50 000 more families to the Internet over the next three years.

The number of Internet based applications increases on a steady basis while many existing services are made available over the Internet. These applications and services are not available to those not using the Internet. A study of the digital divide conducted by the Ministry of the Economic Affairs and Communications points out that people are divided by their skills and motivation to use various ICT means for improving their quality of life.

In this context, "Come Along!" is indented to help to bridge the digital gap in society by facilitating Internet use (free training, discounted computer and Internet connection).

59 % of the Estonian households have a computer, while 52 % have an Internet connection. It is moreover worth noting that 67 % of the Estonian population aged 15-74 use the Internet. This all leads to the conclusion that about 300 000 adults in Estonia are not using the Internet.

The target group of the project includes members of the Estonian as well as Russian communities without the skills and opportunities to use the Internet, primarily: families with children; the rural population; the older generation; people on low and medium income.

"Come Along!" focuses on: 

• training and user assistance - basic and advanced Internet training and mentor program;
• hardware - affordable new or used computer for new Internet-users, free computers as a special project;
• connection - reasonably-priced wireless or broadband Internet. 

Background information: 

"Come Along!" is an Internet project which has been launched by several IT operators and the look@world foundation in the framework of the "My Estonia" initiative. "My Estonia" is a civic initiative designed to find creative and effective solutions to topical issues that can be implemented through joint efforts. Several government ministries and agencies such as the Estonian Informatics Centre (RIA) are among the partners of "My Estonia".  

 

Further information: 

• Official news article - Department of State Information Systems (RISO) of the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication
• Website of the "Come Along!" project (in Estonian and Russian)
• Website of the "My Estonia" initiative