Action plan 2021-2027 tracker: enhancing the use of technology

The 2021-2027 Action plan on integration and inclusion sets the following goals in relation to enhancing the use of technology and digital tools:

newly developed digital integration services are assessed for accessibility, inclusiveness and quality and the most successful examples are integrated in integration programmes
migrants and EU citizens with a migrant background have the digital skills to fully benefit from online services
digital public services are designed in co-creation with citizens, including migrants to make them human-centric, easily accessible and adapted to a diverse population

Explore all actions in this integration area below.

1. Assess digital services

Status

Continuous

Type

Partnership
Publication
Tool

Implementation

This action is continuous, with more initiatives expected to take place until 2027. So far it includes:

A March 2021 meeting of the European Integration Network (EIN) fostered exchanges on the topic of digital transition and tools as an enabling or inhibiting factor for integration.
We published in February 2022 the analysis Digitalising migrant integration services during the COVID-19 pandemic: adaptation, funding and accessibility.
The June 2023 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)-EC report Making Integration Work: Introduction Measures for Newly-Arrived Migrants includes specific mentions of pre-departure e-inclusion schemes.
Through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), the EC is providing technical support, including in Czechia and Portugal for IT tools to provide access to integration services, in Greece for a digital platform to facilitate migrants’ job access, and soon in Spain to help streamline migrant labour market inclusion via an online platform.

2. Skills for EU citizens with a migration background

Action	Promote and finance projects improving digital skills among migrants and EU citizens with a migrant background
Status	Continuous
Type	Funding
Implementation	This action is continuous, with more initiatives expected to take place until 2027. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) cites digital skills among the key competences for well-performing labour markets and education and training systems. The fund and its predecessor have financed a number of related projects, such as the 2020 DigiCoach project in Luxembourg which provides classes for digital literacy in different languages, as well as language skills and labour market literacy.

3. Support via the EU Digital Education Action Plan

Action	As part of the EU Digital Education Action Plan 2021-27, make the most of EU support for internet access, purchase of digital equipment and e-learning applications and platforms for schools, and in particular for students from disadvantaged groups and for students and educators with disabilities
Status	Complete
Type	Policy
Implementation	The EC has worked on several related Council Recommendation proposals: The Council Recommendation on blended learning approaches for high-quality and inclusive primary and secondary education was adopted in November 2021, with blended learning for inclusion becoming one of the main topics of work of the European Education Area (EEA) Working Group Schools in 2022. Following the 2021-2022 Dialogue with Member States on digital education and skills, in November 2023 the Council Recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training and the Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills and competencies in employment and training were adopted.

Status

Complete

Type

Policy

Implementation

The EC has worked on several related Council Recommendation proposals:

The Council Recommendation on blended learning approaches for high-quality and inclusive primary and secondary education was adopted in November 2021, with blended learning for inclusion becoming one of the main topics of work of the European Education Area (EEA) Working Group Schools in 2022.
Following the 2021-2022 Dialogue with Member States on digital education and skills, in November 2023 the Council Recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training and the Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills and competencies in employment and training were adopted.

4. Human-centric digital services

Status

Continuous

Type

Funding
Project
Tool

Implementation

This action is continuous, with more initiatives expected to take place until 2027. So far, as part of the eGovernment Action Plan, the EC’s Horizon 2020 financed the IT Joint Migration Project. Several of the initiatives funded under it developed apps and digital services for migrants, such as WELCOME, MIICT, MICADO, NADINE, REBUILD and EasyRights. For example:

The easyRights project develops online tools to help migrants find answers to their questions as newcomers, thus also supporting social service staff.
The WELCOME project develops technologies to support the reception and integration of migrants and refugees in Europe, including, for example, an avatar to act as a mediator, personal assistant and coach.