An evaluation of the Future Digital Inclusion programme

The Future Digital Inclusion (FDI) programme was funded by the Department for Education and predecessor Departments to support more than 1 million people to learn basic digital skills between 2014-2019.

The aim of this report was to understand the mechanisms behind FDI: the resources that different types of Digital Inclusion Hubs (formerly known as Online Centres) have at their disposal, and which are most important for different types of learners.

The evaluation highlighted strengths in the FDI model as well as areas for improvement, both of which are set out in this report, and it is hoped that the findings can be used by Government, digital inclusion practitioners and other digital skills organisations to further increase the impact of basic digital skills delivered in community settings.

This is particularly important in a time during which pressures on the community sector have increased, while overall funding for community-based activity has decreased.

The impact of the Future Digital Inclusion programme

As a result of the programme, over 1 million people were supported to learn basic digital skills. 66% of those supported have progressed to employment-related activity, and 39% progressed to accredited qualifications.

Download the full evaluation report on the right of this article to find out more.