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Bridging the Digital Divide for a Flourishing East Midlands: Regional ICT Strategy

Engage EM leads the regional ICT strategy for the Third Sector in East Midlands, aiming to enhance access and support for ICT services. The strategy includes benchmarking analysis, a strategic framework, and an action plan. Challenges include low awareness, resistance to ICT, and insufficient coordination.

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Bridging the Digital Divide for a Flourishing East Midlands: Regional ICT Strategy

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  1. Bridging the Digital Dividein a Flourishing Region The Third Sector’s Regional ICT Strategy for the East Midlands

  2. Background • Engage EM on behalf of EMISG commissioned regional strategy • Funded though ChangeUp programme support • Work carried out by partnership: • VAL Trading for Change; PurpleZebra; High Peak CVS

  3. Starting point • Meeting with consensus about what is needed at regional level • strategic influencing of funders (both regional and sub-regional) to improve the funding available for ICT to the third sector; • a strong evidence base with which to influence statutory agencies and front-line organisations of the need to invest in ICT support; • clarity on the ICT investment priorities across the region.

  4. Strategy to identify • how local, subregional, regional action can enable: • Frontline organisations to have consistent access to ICT services & capacity building support • Organisations to achieve service and outcomes improvements through ICT.

  5. 3 key parts to strategy • Benchmarking analysis • research with VCS and funders • Strategic framework • matching sector needs to the RES • Action plan • activities and priorities • Early draft now ready

  6. 1. Benchmarking analysis • Telephone / online / postal questionnaires • 140+ in total • Findings support evidence base from other areas • “no revelations”

  7. Benchmarking analysis • “40% of respondents still feel hindered by a lack of providers who understand the needs and aspirations of the third sector.” • “preference for third sector organisations, wherever possible to get ICT support from within the third sector and delivered locally”.

  8. Benchmarking analysis - issues • Resistance to using ICT • Low levels of ICT investment • Unwillingness to pay for ICT services • Lack of engagement with funders around ICT needs and issues • Inconsistent ICT support services • Lack of trusted, local support to help organisations adopt new technology

  9. Benchmarking analysis - issues • Low awareness of the range of options and possibilities • Low awareness of ICT accessibility needs and solutions • Inefficient management of ICT resources • Ineffective ICT strategic planning within organisations • Insufficient coordination of ICT initiatives across the region

  10. 1a. Funders • Lack of engagement • LSPs, emda, PCTs • “not a priority”

  11. 2. Strategic framework • How 3rd sector “connects” with the RES in regard to ICT? • This work helps to “build a case” • opens eyes to potential of sector

  12. 3. Action plan • The actions needed (and at what level) to move the picture on • Links to work of regional ICT Champion

  13. Strategy is a work in progress • Draft requires comment and feedback • EMISG & Consortia • Network of ICT projects in the region • Where does ICT support fit into the proposed regional model? • Case studies to complete • Capture good and bad practice • Action plan

  14. Comments Tony Okotie tony@highpeakcvs.org.uk 01663 735 350

  15. Regional ICT Champion • Funded through ICT hub until March 08 • Looking for continuation • 2 ½ day a week role • 2 key tasks • Championing • Co-ordinating

  16. Regional ICT Champion • Work at 3 levels • With frontline organisations • With providers / infrastructure organisations • Funders • Mapping gaps • Supporting development of sub regional plans and initiatives • Raising awareness of ICT

  17. Regional ICT Champion • Co-ordinating ICT workshops • AbilityNet, IT4C, MediaTrust • Potential for 2nd regional conference • Pump priming projects • Exchange visit scheme • Currently meeting with consortia and projects to explore their ideas

  18. Questions?

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