Advisors of the 'Come Along!' (Ole Kaasas!) project gave free advice to anyone interested in the way electronic services - offered by the Estonian Post and a number of other public sector institutions - work.

From 4 to 15 January 2010, at the municipal post offices of Türi, Püssi, Põlva, Antsla, Hargla, Sindi, Saku, Loksa, Lihula and Tõrremäe free advice on how to use the electronic services, the electronic Identification (eID) card, the Mobile ID and the digital signature, was offered.

It is very important for Estonians to be able to keep up with the development of electronic services, since web-based services are fast and convenient tools that can make their lives easier; for example via the website of the Estonian Post, periodicals, self-designed stamps, philatelic and many other products can be ordered, gifts can be sent to a friend and shipments can be tracked.

The training sessions lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, they were free-of-charge and there were given both in Estonian and Russian languages. Participants were asked to give their feedback on their experiences in using electronic services as well as possible difficulties that they may have encountered while using them.

It was necessary for everyone attending the sessions to bring along their ID card and PIN codes (both PIN1 and PIN2). In case of lost or forgotten PIN numbers, a new code could be obtained free-of-charge from the Citizenship and Migration Board service points or from some specific private banks with the payment of a €30 fee.

The 'Come Along!' project aims to organise in-service computer trainings for 100 000 people and over the next three years to connect to the Internet 50 000 additional families. This training initiative is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund with an amount of 3 million Estonian crowns (approx. €191 million).

Further information:

• Original Press Release - Estonian Post Portal
• Come Along! (Ole Kaasas!) project (in Estonian)
• "Come Along!" project to provide computer training to 100 000 people - ePractice news article