"Everyone should be able to participate in our digital society"

Comfortable learning environment

"A safe and comfortable learning environment helps people develop their capacity for learning and self-sufficiency," explains Karien. "That's important for making sure that they aren't digitally disadvantaged. You have to remember that about 20 per cent of the population aren't able to enjoy the benefits of the internet. There's no universal solution to that problem. Skills teaching always has to be tailored to the individual learner. We have to engage individually with each person who approaches us with a particular need. At Cybersoek, we work hard to provide an environment that feels like home. The rooms are kept clean, with fresh flowers on the table and plenty of natural light. Everyone who visits us gets a warm welcome. We take genuine care of people, so that everyone feels welcome.

We have a very varied programme, because there are all sorts of different reasons for someone having less developed digital skills. We also provide opportunities for asking questions about digital technology informally. Other things we do include language courses for parents, homework guidance for primary and secondary school children, and tuition programmes for acquiring and improving digital skills. Most people who approach us with questions or take our courses hear about us from relatives, friends or acquaintances. We also raised our profile considerably during the coronavirus pandemic by launching the Cyberbank: a scheme through which anyone with an Amsterdam City Card can buy a refurbished laptop for a very modest price. After buying a laptop, most people come back to us for support or education of one form or another. The scheme is proving to be a valuable addition to our activities."

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More than twenty years' experience

It's now twenty years since Cybersoek was set up as one of the Netherlands' four hundred digital playing fields: places where people could meet and learn the online skills needed to become more digitally self-sufficient. The Digital Playing Field Project was organised and funded by the Dutch government, but only for three years. When the funding stopped, all the digital playing fields closed. Except for one: Cybersoek. It was clear to the people running Cybersoek that there was huge demand for access to digital knowledge and equipment. And that digital literacy nearly always went hand-in-hand with digital language skills. They were also well aware that not everyone was able to keep abreast of rapid technological developments. And that people who struggled to keep up needed the safety net offered by Cybersoek. "Knowing that there was such a variety of support needs, and having an enterprising spirit, we decided to continue with Cybersoek when the Digital Playing Fields Project ended."

"We now have a large and diverse team with a wealth of digital knowledge. There's a core group of twelve people, plus fifteen freelancers and fifty-five volunteers. Each with their own particular expertise and experience. Meaning that we can keep abreast of technological developments and anticipate the needs of the people we aim to help. We are constantly looking to achieve the best possible balance between staying accessible and keeping up with change."

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Support from SIDN Fund

Cybersoek's Train the Trainer course is a vehicle for sharing knowledge and expertise with volunteers and professionals who want to professionalise their own digital training activities. Support from SIDN Fund is enabling the organisation to extend and upgrade the course. "The Fund's backing has given us a huge boost," says Karien. "We've made eighteen explanatory videos and developed a course website for sharing all our knowledge with professionals. So far, nearly a hundred people have done the course. Following the upgrade, more people should be able to take part. As well as providing financial assistance, SIDN Fund gives us access to its network. So we can make contact with other people with similar missions. That's really useful; I'm a big believer in the power of getting together and sharing knowledge."

Mieke van Heesewijk, Programme Manager at SIDN Fund, explains what attracted the Fund to the initiative. "Enabling people with less developed digital skills to get online is one of the biggest challenges currently facing society. Digital literacy has a major influence on confidence, self-respect and life opportunities. For years now, Cybersoek has been doing great work helping people become more digitally self-sufficient. Their practical approach and method have been shown to work. So SIDN Fund is pleased to contribute to the national rollout and upscaling of the programme."

Digital opportunities for all

"Cybersoek currently has four meeting places in Amsterdam. Our aim is to give people in all parts of the city access to good digital education. We're also looking to extend the Cyberbank, so that everyone over the age of eighteen has access to a laptop. We'd like to develop Cybersoek beyond Amsterdam as well. This month, we've been admitted to Growth Programme V operated by the Oranje Fonds social welfare foundation. Involvement in the Programme represents a great opportunity to extend Cybersoek and develop as an expertise centre. We want everyone to be able to participate in digital society and no one to be left behind."

Would you like to do Cybersoek's Train the Trainer course? Visit https://cybersoek.nl/ons-aanbod/train-de-trainer-voor-professionals/ or mail Kim Erkens at kim@cybersoek.nl.