Digital literacy and digital competence have become essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Beyond the ability to use devices, they involve understanding how digital media works, critically evaluating information, and engaging responsibly in online environments. In a context shaped by rapid technological change, misinformation, and social fragmentation, these competencies are key to fostering informed, active, and empowered citizens who can fully participate in democratic and social life.
However, not everyone has equal access to these skills. Vulnerable groups—such as migrants, people with fewer educational opportunities, or those at risk of social exclusion—often face significant barriers to digital participation. This digital divide can reinforce existing inequalities, limiting access to information, education, and civic engagement, and reducing opportunities for social inclusion and personal development.
Digital competence is therefore not only a technical issue but also a social and ethical one. It includes critical thinking, media awareness, and the ability to communicate and collaborate in diverse digital environments. Strengthening these capacities helps individuals challenge misinformation, express their voices, and build meaningful connections, contributing to more inclusive and cohesive societies.
TheInclude Me+ project addresses these challenges by promoting digital media literacy as a tool for inclusion, participation, and peacebuilding across Europe. It responds to the growing need to improve digital skills and mitigate the negative impacts of digital media, particularly in contexts marked by crisis, isolation, or social tension.
Through an innovative educational programme, Include Me+ empowers educators, students, media professionals, and civil society organisations to become active contributors to a more inclusive digital ecosystem. By combining digital literacy with mediation practices, the project encourages responsible media creation, critical engagement, and the amplification of underrepresented voices.
Ultimately, Include Me+ highlights how digital literacy and competence can drive both digital and social inclusion. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate and shape digital media, the project contributes to building safer, more equitable, and more participatory online spaces—where diversity is valued, dialogue is encouraged, and no one is left behind.
