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  • About the team
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A community-based approach to digital inclusion

December 7, 2022 by Leeds City Council

The 100% Digital Leeds team has been funded by Local Government Association’s Digital Pathfinders Programme to create a model that any local council can use to create their own digital inclusion programme.

Download the model

This community-based model describes four stages to creating a digital inclusion programme:

  • Finding the focus and partnerships
  • Identifying the barriers, assets, and opportunities
  • Forming and implementing a plan
  • Measuring and demonstrating success

Download the model

About the team

100% Digital Leeds is one of the most successful digital inclusion programmes in the country. Initiated by a Leeds City Council Scrutiny Board inquiry in 2015, the council continues to invest in a permanent team to lead the digital inclusion programme and drive the digital inclusion agenda across the city.

The team works with over 200 organisations, teams, settings, and services. They have brought over £2million into the city, increasing the capacity of third sector organisations and building the digital inclusion ecosystem across Leeds.

As well as speaking at dozens of national conferences, roundtables, and forums, the 100% Digital Leeds team have shared aspects of their approach with almost 100 councils on an individual basis.

For the first time, this model sets out the 100% Digital Leeds community-based approach to digital inclusion so that all councils can adopt, adapt, and apply the principles in their area.

Project sponsors

“It is often said that no one should be left behind as we advance technically and technologically, but this does not happen by magic. It requires sustained investment to ensure there is consistent leadership and focus on digital inclusion as a city priority.

“I’m immensely proud of the outcomes that the 100% Digital team are generating for our city. Their work is imperative and fundamental to meet the ambitions of Leeds.

“We must work together across all organisations and sectors to ensure digital is about more than just deploying new technology.

“We must ensure that everyone is included, engaged, motivated, skilled, confident, equipped and involved in our collective digital journey.”

Leonardo Tantari – Chief Digital and Information Officer, Leeds City Council and NHS (Leeds) West Yorkshire ICB

“The Local Government Association has funded this project, recognising the value seen in the 100% Digital Leeds Programme.

“In recent years this model has developed into an example of best practice in the sector, strengthening the outcome of digital inclusion initiatives for residents, partners and communities in Leeds and beyond. Hence, why we funded Leeds City Council to utilise their expertise to scale a model to other councils that enables them to replicate and build a community of support that is integral for residents to benefit from being online.

“The sector-led ‘council to council’ element of the Pathfinder enabled us to help a cohort of councils test the concepts of the model while simultaneously providing them with support to lead the growth of the capacity and ability of their communities of practice to best tackle digital exclusion.”

Tom Denman, Productivity Adviser – Digital Innovation, Security and Behavioural Insights, Local Government Association

Author: Leeds City Council100% Digital Leeds is the Leeds City Council led initiative working to improve digital inclusion across the city and make Leeds the most digitally inclusive city for everyone.

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