Computer Literacy Basics For a Lithuanian E-citizen (W2F)

Following the European Council's 2000 'eEurope' initiative in Lisbon, Lithuania's government approved a General Program for Computer Literacy in September 2004 to develop the population's computer literacy and fund related training, aiming to reduce the digital divide between rural and city areas and address people with disabilities' learning needs. From March 2006, the 'Window to the Future' (W2F) association implemented the project 'Computer Literacy Basics For a Lithuanian E-citizen' as part of this programme, supported by EU Structural Funds.

The project delivered fundamentals of computer literacy and safe internet usage to citizens over 16, with particular attention to rural residents and elderly people, using a direct-education method (training in computer classes). Courses lasted 5 days (40 hours), with textbooks provided and graduation certificates issued after assessment; the syllabus followed the government-approved Computer Literacy Standard, aligned with the ECDL e-Citizen syllabus, and covered both commercial and free software. LIA conducted the courses through over 400 lecturers across 2,938 classrooms and 181 Public Internet Access Points (PIAPs); 400 disabled persons from 16 municipalities also took part, with content and methodology adapted for them.

The project reached 50,400 participants against a target of 50,000 Lithuanian citizens aged over 16, including 400 disabled persons across 16 municipalities who completed the adapted courses.

A solid, government-approved methodology with training manuals made it possible to adapt content and training approach for people with disabilities, and the initiative achieved nationwide, multi-target reach through an extensive network of Public Internet Access Points.