During the annual 'Regions for Economic Change' conference that took place on 20 May 2010, the Lithuanian project 'Computer Literacy Basics for a Lithuanian e-citizen' received the 'RegioStars 2010' Award in the Category 'ICT applications for e-inclusion'.

The objective of the RegioStars Awards is to identify good practices in regional development and to highlight original and innovative projects which could be attractive and inspiring to other regions. The Awards form part of the enhanced communication effort proposed by the European Commission in its Communication on Regions for Economic Change.

The 'Computer Literacy Basics for a Lithuanian e-citizen' project aimed to provide fundamentals of computer literacy to 50 000 citizens of Lithuania, establish public internet access points and stimulate growth in the use of eServices. The main target groups were elderly people, disabled and economically disadvantaged persons and people living in remote areas with little access to digital services. In total, 50 400 adults completed digital literacy courses over a two-year period.

The project was implemented by the 'Window to the Future' (Langas j Ateitj, in Lithuanian) Alliance, a group of companies, banks, telecommunications and Information Technology (IT) businesses established in 2002. Its mission is to promote the use of the Internet and eServices in Lithuania.

The 'Computer literacy basics for a Lithuanian e-citizen' project was funded with a €2 million budget from the European Social Fund (ESF) of the European Union.

Further information:

• Original Source - Regional Policy - Inforegio - European Commission
• Related ePractice Case - Computer Literacy Basics for a Lithuanian e-citizen
• 'Window to the Future' Alliance (in English and Lithuanian)