The aim of the project is to combat the digital rift and to improve the position of the people of Zeeburg in the labour market by teaching them how to use computers and the Internet. Improving social cohesion between the local people is a further objective of this project.

The district of Zeeburg has its own digital playground in the ‘problem neighbourhood’ of the Indische Buurt. In September 2001, Cybersoek opened its doors to its first visitors. The most important feature of Cybersoek is that it is a low threshold facility. Local people who have the courage to leave their homes to explore the unknown territory of technology learn very quickly that they receive a lot of personal attention, that they can work at their own pace and that questions are welcomed. Volunteers, many of whom learned their skills at Cybersoek, are available to help them.

At the beginning of 2004, Cybersoek welcomed its 15.000th visitor. Cybersoek sees the bridging of the digital rift and the ICT-related activities that are linked to this as a means to increase social cohesion and stimulate the participation of different target groups. Visitors enjoy visiting the centre and feel at ease there. Cybersoek has been turned into a foundation, so that it can develop further from an independent position. By working with staff who were unemployed for a long time, this project is providing an important contribution to the objective of job creation.

European subsidy: € 435.668
Total cost: € 871.337

This project has been partially funded with Objective 2 funds. Since 2000 nine cities have been eligible for the Objective 2 Urban Areas in the Netherlands programme, which forms part of the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD) of the European Union. EFRD is one of the four Structural Funds of the European Commission. The programme helps cities to carry out projects that benefit disadvantaged areas.

In the Netherlands, total European Objective 2 subsidies concern 192 million euros. 4.25% of the Dutch population lives in the selected areas.

The European Commission prescribes that for every euro from the EFRD, a minimum of one euro must be contributed from the government. The cities must therefore add their own public or private funding to the European subsidy. The European programme is linked to the urban plans agreed within the context of the urban policy of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. For this, the cities can make use of funds that have been allocated to them in the context of the national urban policy.

Amsterdam Groot Oost - local programme management
Phone: +31 20 6080725

01/03/2003

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Skills improvement