Inventory of good practices in europe that promote ICT for socio-economic integration in culturally diverse contexts

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This booklet presents 60 initiatives that aim to use ICT for better education, economic participation, civic engagement of IEM, thus exploiting the possibilities offered by the information society within a culturally diverse Europe. Initiatives are located in different places and Member States within the EU. Different motivations and different purposes are behind them, they target different audiences, and develop different uses of ICT to achieve their goals. Some use ICT to improve the socio-economic integration of IEM, others to support the operations of intermediaries working with them, and finally some intend to enhance mutual knowledge and social interaction with all members of the host society.

This inventory of practices is a basis for providing guidance to those who are interested in being involved in the further development of ICT-based solutions and approaches targeting immigrants’ and ethnic minorities’ needs. Furthermore, it presents practices that can become an inspiring bank of ideas for those working with IEM on the potential to integrate ICT into their services and daily work processes. Finally, it offers elements of reflection to all stakeholders dealing with ICT for social inclusion, economic participation, life-long learning, eGovernment and active citizenship.

Chapter 1 introduces a literature review in order to lay down a comprehensive framework regarding the demand and supply of ICT for and by IEM inside the EU. Its purpose is on the one hand to shed light upon what is currently known about the uptake, use and appropriation of ICT by IEM (demand side), and on the other to present results of previous research that has sought to analyse the European panorama of ICT-driven initiatives and ICT services targeting IEM (supply side).

Chapter 2 presents the methodology developed to produce this booklet, introducing the criteria taken into account in order to select initiatives, and a cross-cutting analysis of these.

Chapter 3 is a presentation of the 60 practices selected for this purpose.

Finally, this booklet concludes with some key findings, research and policy recommendations to support ICT-driven initiatives for cultural diversity and the socio-economic inclusion of IEM. A further assessment of these experiences and the preparation of guidelines based on these and similar ones will follow in the next steps of the Bridge-IT project, in order to facilitate more cooperation and exchange between initiatives using ICT to improve the socio-economic participation of IEM.