Communities @One helps people use technology in the communities that need it most in Wales. The project provides support to community groups and voluntary sector organizations to engage with technologies in ways relevant to their lives. It includes a grant fund to help groups access technologies.

There are many ways computers and the internet can really make our lives easier, such as email, internet shopping and finding services. As technology increases there are more and more exciting things we can do, especially in the world of web2.0 and social networking – sharing photos, information and ideas through websites, participating in forums: having a voice!

There are still many people who have no access to computers or technology. This gap is sometimes called the digital divide and this concept is called digital exclusion. Reasons for digital exclusion could be fear, cost, not seen as relevant or lack of access.

Helping people get access to technology to improve their skills or lives, is called digital inclusion.

A digital inclusion programme for Wales was set up by the Communities Directorate of the Welsh Assembly Government along with partners including Citizens Online, The Scarman Trust, BT and BBC Wales, who now form the Advisory Group with others.

Communities @One gives communities the chance to say what they want, work up a project plan and apply for a grant, so we like to think of it as grass roots community development. Read more about how Communities @One works.

Communities @One is delivered by the Wales Co–operative Centre. The Centre’s co–operative and social enterprise projects help people take control of their economic lives by working together.

Digital inclusion is something that is been looked at by many countries. There are several initiatives across the rest of the UK. Read more about digital inclusion elsewhere.