How can digital inclusion be achieved for older people – especially for those who have had little or no access to the digital world so far? This question was at the centre of the final event of the EU-funded project DigitalScouts, held on 25 June 2025 in Bad Schwalbach, Germany.
The event was hosted by the care centre of the Rheingau-Taunus district, in cooperation with the project team from the ISIS Institute for Social Infrastructure and Berufswege für Frauen e.V., who implemented the DigitalScouts project in Germany.
Diverse perspectives: administration, civil society, education and volunteering in dialogue
Around 22 external participants took part, representing local government, politics, social associations, adult education providers and both voluntary and professional adult learning initiatives – many already active within the network for digital inclusion. The event offered space for practical input, real-world challenges and direct dialogue from the field. One thing became clear early on: digital learning opportunities must reflect the everyday realities of older people. Generating interest, demonstrating practical value and lowering barriers were recurring themes in the discussions. A key message echoed throughout: not technology for its own sake – but as a tool to improve individual quality of life.
Reaching target groups – but how?
One focus of discussion was how to reach older adults who are less familiar or comfortable with digital tools. Low-threshold, interest-based formats were emphasised – such as embedding digital topics into everyday social and cultural settings like shared meals, community meetups or informal discussion groups.
Participants also pointed out the importance of trusted institutions: organisations like the Red Cross were seen as having a credibility advantage, which can be essential for establishing new digital education offers.
At the same time, it was underlined that digital participation should remain a choice. Those who consciously opt out of using digital tools should be respected in that decision, without pressure or judgment.
International insights from Austria
The Austrian Red Cross contributed a vivid example from practice. There, trained digital scouts not only completed workshops but also began offering one-on-one digital support directly to older individuals. Selda Özcan, from the Red Cross in Freistadt, shared her experience from one of the pilot locations. A video clip from Austrian broadcaster ORF illustrated one such individualised learning session. These inputs offered valuable insight into how to tailor learning formats to individual needs and preferences.
Structural questions: who carries responsibility?
Another key issue was the question of sustainable structures and funding models. While projects like DigitalScouts provide a strong foundation, long-term access to digital support requires institutional commitment. There was broad agreement that high-quality, no-cost learning opportunities should not depend solely on volunteer work.
A further example was presented by Torsten Anstädt of HumaQ gGmbH with “Die Gute Stunde” – an online programme offering cultural activities for older people. Here too, it became clear that sustainable digital participation needs both funding and societal recognition of digital access as a fundamental right.
The event showcased the value of collaboration between education providers, local authorities, civil society and volunteers. The openness to dialogue and cooperation, combined with clearly articulated needs, left no doubt: digital inclusion for older adults must continue to be supported – in ways that are practical, accessible, and where possible, free of charge.