Not everyone was able to benefit from new the new information and communication technologies: a digital divide had developed in 1990’s and has been increasing ever since.

The e-Ventspils project provides the city residents with easier and quicker access to municipal services, by giving them an opportunity to participate in the municipal decision-making process. On the other hand, the municipal institutions benefit from easier collaboration on data bypassing unnecessary red tape and avoiding any boundaries for exchange and access to data. The project bridges the information gap between the city authorities and its people, facilitating formation of information society in the city and increasing the quality of municipal services.

The network brings together 31 local and neighbourhood groups from the region, to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from these new technologies. The programme gives special attention to the needs of the socially unprotected, elderly, handicapped and others excluded from society. The project also aims to include people who are afraid of the new technologies.
At all stages it has directly involved both disabled and older citizens, who work as volunteers providing advice and otherwise in working to assure that the programme responds to their special requirements.

Residents and municipal institutions

Co-operation partners for the realisation of the project are Ventspils University, Microsoft Consulting Services, "Telecentrs" Ltd., "Microlink Systems " Ltd., "Sonex Riga" Ltd., "Opticom" Ltd., and "Baltijas Datoru Akademija" Ltd.

The project was undertaken within the framework of the EU AVANTI project of the 5th framework Programme.

Information Centre of Ventspils City Council
Phone: + 37136 01270
iic@ventspils.gov.lv

13/11/2001

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Community development