Deadline for Awards that help bridge the digital divide fast approaches

Press Release

26 August 2008

Entries for the European e-Inclusion Awards will close on September 12, 2008. Organisations have only two weeks left to submit their entries, demonstrating how they have used ICT to help address social and digital divides in Europe.

Established by the European Commission, the Awards celebrate the best and most imaginative uses of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Through the Awards, the Commission aims to inspire industry, governments and other organisations to better exploit the potential of technology to reduce social and digital exclusion.

Despite society’s increasing dependence on digital technology, an estimated one in three Europeans fails to participate or benefit from the information society. Overcoming digital exclusion is not only a social necessity. It will be worth billions to European companies and governments over the next five years.

The e-Inclusion Awards are open to organisations in the public, business and voluntary sector or civil society. Competition categories include:

• Ageing Well

• Marginalised Young People

• Geographic Inclusion

• Cultural Diversity

• Digital Literacy

• e-Accessibility

• Inclusive Public Services

Entries close on September 12, 2008 and five finalists in each category will be invited to present their project at the Ministerial Conference in Vienna, Austria from November 30 to December 1, 2008 as part of the “e-Inclusion: Be Part of It!” campaign. The overall winners will be announced at the Awards dinner and ceremony.

For further information, please contact the e-Inclusion Awards Team on +44 (0) 207 234 3538 or visit www.e-inclusionawards.eu.