Be The Change is a program initiated by Agoria, the Belgian federation of technology industries. Agoria represents over 1,200 companies in various sectors such as software, engineering, electronics, and high-tech systems. The organization aims to promote the technological industry and its contributions to the Belgian economy and society. The Be The Change program is one of the initiatives by Agoria to demonstrate the role of technology and innovation in making a positive impact in society. The program is designed to encourage Belgian companies to be more socially responsible and to support local communities in need. The goal of Be The Change is to bring together companies, employees, and volunteers to collaborate and make a difference in the lives of others. One of the key aspects of Be The Change is the encouragement of volunteerism. The program provides a platform for companies to encourage their employees to volunteer and get involved in local community projects. This not only helps to support the community but also provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose to the employees. Companies can participate in various volunteer activities such as mentorship programs, community clean-up projects, and support for local non-profits. Another aspect of Be The Change is the promotion of social entrepreneurship. Agoria works with companies to encourage them to develop socially responsible business models and to support entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact in their communities. The program provides support and resources to these entrepreneurs, such as mentorship, access to funding, and networking opportunities. Agoria also provides support to communities in need through the Be The Change program. The organization collaborates with local non-profits and community organizations to provide resources and support for their initiatives. This includes providing funding for projects, volunteer support, and access to technology and expertise. The Be The Change program has had a positive impact on Belgian communities and has received recognition for its efforts. The initiative has received awards for its contributions to the community and has been recognized for its impact on social entrepreneurship. Companies that have participated in the program have also reported a positive impact on their employees, as the program has encouraged them to become more engaged and socially responsible. In conclusion, Be The Change is a visionary initiative that demonstrates the power of technology and innovation in creating positive change in society. Through its focus on volunteerism, social entrepreneurship, and community support, the program has made a significant impact in Belgian communities and has set a positive example for other companies to follow. By encouraging companies to be more socially responsible and to support local communities, Be The Change is helping to create a better future for all.

Close The Gap is a global initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities and benefits of technology. The initiative was founded with the goal of addressing the unequal distribution of technology and digital resources across the world, and to provide people in underserved communities with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world.

One of the key aspects of Close The Gap is its focus on education and training. The initiative provides people in underserved communities with training and education in key digital skills such as coding, data analysis, and digital marketing. The program is delivered through a combination of online courses, workshops, and hands-on experience, giving people the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge.

Another aspect of Close The Gap is its emphasis on access to technology. The initiative provides people in underserved communities with access to computers, smartphones, and other digital devices, ensuring that they have the tools they need to participate in the digital economy. This is particularly important for people in developing countries who may not have access to the same technology and resources as those in more developed countries.

Close The Gap also provides support for young entrepreneurs. The initiative provides training, mentorship, and access to funding for young entrepreneurs who are working to build digital businesses in underserved communities. This helps to encourage the next generation of digital entrepreneurs and to support their efforts to bring innovative solutions to market.

The impact of Close The Gap has been significant, with many people in underserved communities reporting that the initiative has helped them to develop valuable skills and to gain experience in the digital sector. The initiative has also helped to bridge the digital divide and to provide people in underserved communities with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

In conclusion, Close The Gap is a valuable initiative that is helping to bridge the digital divide and ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities and benefits of technology. The initiative’s focus on education and training, access to technology, and support for young entrepreneurs is helping to provide people in underserved communities with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. By working to close the gap and to ensure that everyone has access to technology, Close The Gap is helping to create a better and more equitable future for all.

In our transforming society lack of digital skills in the elderly population is synonymous to social isolation; inability to access information and services, including health services; loss of autonomy; and an increased sense of inadaptability. ICTSkills4All – Empowering old citizens for a digital world aimed at fostering digital skills, self-confidence and online safety of old adults aged 55 years and over who have minimal or no engagement with digital technology. In order to do so, the ICTSkills4All project had developed an ICT Learning Programme, which included:

• A dedicated online platform with information, training tools and resources addressed to those who have low digital skills;
• Face-to-face support using the inter-generational and peer-to-peer approach addressed for those who have no digital skills. The aim of this phase was to provide these people with the basic digital skills that allow them to access the platform.
• the inter-generational approach, where university students help the elderly;
• the peer-to-peer approach, where the elderly with no digital skills are assisted by colleagues with more skills. The pilot activities took place in four partner countries: Portugal, UK, Latvia and Poland