Equal - Digital Repository

Aim

The aim of the Working Broadband GB DP was to assist people from diverse communities to enter and progress in the Creative and Technology sectors, using current and future developments in broadband to reduce unemployment and providing economic advancements for people from BME communities to improve employment prospects.

Objectives

Key objectives of the WBGB DP were:

• To identify where ICT developments might provide the vehicle for change and employment.
  
  
• To enhance the employability skills of the target groups through ICT.
  
  
• To maximise the potential of fast internet access for socially excluded groups.
  
  
• To raise the profile and benefits of broadband access to BME groups and individuals.
  
  
• To improve equal opportunities through policy development and mainstreaming of EQUAL outputs.
  
  
• To improve access for all groups to the wide information and knowledge base available through internet and multi media.
  
  
• To focus on the arts, culture and media sectors, and to improve diversity in the sector through broadband integration.
  
  
• To identify new creative talent in target areas.
  
  
• To develop employment and enterprise opportunities for the clients.
  
  
• To deliver programmes in the heart of the disadvantaged communities in the UK and ensure full consultation and empowerment of local people to maximise the potential of the project.
  
  
• To identify and share knowledge between partners in other EU member states.
  
  
• To establish a portal/website which gave information on equality issues and allowed a showcase of new creative talent from BME communities.

Background

The DP was set up is to utilise community forums, and output information and talent to the broadband web presence, to ensure all participants had a free and open ability to contribute to all aspects of the programme. All the creative content produced by the project was hosted and or broadcast through broadband web portal. A key Development Partnership member was Abi, a London based organisation which provides a wide range of programmes to support Black and Ethnic Minority Businesses. The involvement of leaders in creative industries such as Channel 4 allowed the examination of current approaches to diversity in employment in the creative industries. The project took place between 2002 and 2005.

Target Beneficiary Groups

Working Broadband GB promoted social inclusion through broadband access for disadvantaged groups as well as exploiting the potential of the broadband technology for individual and community empowerment.

The project assisted individuals from BME communities in deprived areas of the UK to maximise their creative talents through training, support and showcasing events or products, to enable them to enter employment or self employment in the sector.

Abi Associates Ltd (London)
www.abi.co.uk

Information for Transnational partnerships

Ethnic minorities

• WBGB has supported hundreds of individuals with their employment and enterprise training needs through mentoring, video training, music production, photography assignments, theatre and fashion events.
  
  
• Working Broadband informed public policy makers and employers on reaching out and engaging individuals from disadvantaged groups and areas in the UK.
  
  
• In collaboration with its European partners, Working Broadband established an exciting creative and media industry focused partnership to address employment, training and policy across the European Union.
  
  
• The project produced a broadband website that showcased the beneficiaries, provided links to training and employment, and received an average of 42,000 visits per month.
  
  
• In addition over 500 people were trained or supported in the Creative Industries and 40 people assisted into self employment associated with creative industries.