IDEU phase 2 is here: co-create solutions for a Digital Belgium

The IDEU project

The EU is advancing its digital ambitions more and more everyday with key pieces of legislation such as the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. However, a persistent digital divide continues to exclude specific groups, exacerbating social, economic, and political inequalities across European societies.

As a result, the Inclusive Digitalization in the European Union (IDEU) project was launched on the core premise of building effective digital policy with citizens, not just for them. Our mission is to ensure that the digital transformation leaves no one behind by directly soliciting citizens’ opinions and recommendations. To achieve this, a one-year crowdsourcing process has been implemented across six EU countries – Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Romania and Spain – selected for their rich historical, economic, and digital diversity. Via the IDEU project, ECAS aims to contribute to truly inclusive digital policies.

A recap of Phase 1, mapping problems related to digital inclusion

Between May and August, ECAS organized the first phase of the crowdsourcing process – asking citizens for their opinion on current digital policies. People answered powerfully: with over 250 valuable responses, a clear picture was painted of the barriers to digital inclusion, ranging from the lack of digital skills and the high cost of access to the underrepresentation of women in tech and fears about online safety.

Introducing Phase 2: from problem mapping to problem solving

The insights following from the problem mapping phase were the essential first step. Now, the project moves into a crucial stage: Phase 2, the problem solving phase, is officially underway. ECAS has analyzed all the input and distilled it into 12 key challenge areas that need attention. Now, everyone with a stake in Belgium’s digital future is being asked once again to join the crowdsourcing endeavor in this next Phase.

How citizens can shape policy in Phase 2:

Proposing innovative and practical solutions to these 12 challenges (until 15 October).
Voting on the ideas submitted by others, helping to identify the most impactful and supported recommendations (until 30 October).

All contributions will be directly used to shape formal policy recommendations for both Belgian and European policymakers, to be presented at the end of the year. This is the chance to help formulate them.

The 12 challenges cover critical areas such as bridging the skills gap, building trust and simplicity, fixing the labor shortage, and breaking down gender-related barriers. The success of Phase 2 depends on a diversity of voices, so share your expertise, experience, and ideas. Ready to dive in and make a difference? Contribute to Phase 2 via one of the links below.

Inclusive Digitalisation in the European Union – English

La numérisation inclusive dans l’Union européenne – INDEU – French

Inclusieve digitalisering in de Europese Unie – IDEU – Dutch

Don’t miss the opportunity to be heard.

For questions about Phase 2, please contact Nicolò Triacca (nicolo.triacca@ecas.org) or Maia de Quay (maia.dequaij@ecas.org) .