About the Awards
Why is e-inclusion important?
As an information society, Europe is successful. ICT and digital technology plays an increasingly important role in all of our lives – both at work and play. However, for 200 million people outside of the information society, whether that is due to low levels of education or income, disability, cultural differences, being older, living in a rural area or any combination of these, they are increasingly missing out socially and economically on the benefits that technology is providing for society. Estimates of the economic benefit of a more digitally inclusive society in Europe are between €35 - €85 billion over five years. Creating an e-included society is an economic opportunity and social necessity.
The European Commission has established the e-Inclusion Awards to raise awareness, encourage participation and recognise excellence and good practice in using ICT and digital technology to tackle social and digital exclusion across Europe.
Why enter?
We want as many examples as possible of how ICT and digital technology can be used to tackle social disadvantage and digital exclusion. The best will be used to inspire and encourage other organisations and individuals to take part in e-inclusion initiatives. Five finalists for each category will exhibit their project at the Ministerial Conference on e-Inclusion in Vienna on 1 December 2008. The Award category winners will be announced at the evening ceremony.
Who can enter?
All Award categories are open to organisations from Europe* from the following sectors: government and public, business and private, non-governmental and voluntary. An organisation may enter as many award categories as it wishes, however an individual project can only be entered once into a single category.
How do I enter?
Register your interest online (www.e-inclusionawards.eu) to access the downloadable entry form. There is no fee to enter the Awards and the entry form will be available until 11 September 2008. Completed entry forms need to be returned by 12.00 GMT 12 September 2008. Supporting material such as brochure / press cuttings may also be included with the entry.
What are the judging criteria?
Each Award category will be judged according to seven criteria: Impact, Innovation, Usability, Partnerships, Sharing, Sustainability and the WOW factor. Five finalists per Award category will be selected and an announcement made on 9 October 2008. All entrants will be notified of the results.
What is the Award?
The finalists for each category will be invited (expenses paid) to exhibit their project at the Ministerial Conference on e-Inclusion in Vienna on 1 December 2008. Finalists will be required to arrive in Vienna on the Saturday prior to the event to prepare their exhibition space. Finalists will be presented with a medal for achievements and the seven Award Category winners will be announced during the evening ceremony and dinner.
*Austria, Belgium. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom