The DigiEdu Project aims to accelerate the digitalization of municipalities to help combat climate change. It focuses on developing training models to enhance the use of digital municipal services, particularly among older adults and individuals aged 60 and above. By promoting digital service adoption, the project aims to reduce physical visits to municipalities, thus lowering carbon emissions from vehicle use.

Led by Melikgazi Municipality (Turkey) and Druskininkai Municipality (Lithuania), DigiEdu is an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at advancing the digital transformation of local governments. The project includes training for individuals aged 60+, enabling them to utilize digital systems effectively. Educational materials were developed for both online and in-person formats, with workshops in both countries facilitating knowledge sharing among IT experts.

Key achievements include the development of three training models focused on municipal digital services, improved digital skills for individuals aged 60+, and an increase in the usage of these digital services. As a result, vehicle use was reduced, leading to lower carbon emissions. Additionally, DigiEdu created a culture-neutral model of digital services adaptable to local governments globally.

The DigiEdu Project combines digital transformation, climate action, and adult education in a transformative way. By improving digital service access for older adults and reducing the need for physical visits, the project contributed to climate change mitigation. The collaboration between municipalities fostered a knowledge-sharing environment, allowing the development of effective, universal digital solutions. DigiEdu sets an example for other municipalities and supports lifelong learning, providing a foundation for future policies on sustainable digital transformation.

https://www.melikgazi.bel.tr/project/digiedu-project

• Lithuania
• Türkiye (Republic of)

• Older persons
• People with disabilities
• Municipalities

The DigiEdu Project presents an easily replicable model designed to enhance the use of digital municipal services and encourage individuals to engage with these platforms. Its applicability, scalable structure, and adaptability to cultural diversity allow it to address the needs of various communities across a broad geography. Any local government, community center, or educational institution can adapt DigiEdu's models to meet their regional requirements.
The digital skills training materials and digital municipal service models developed under the project can be applied across a wide range of areas, from regions with limited digital access to metropolitan cities. Municipalities can utilize their existing infrastructure to guide citizens towards online services, thereby reducing physical visits and achieving environmental benefits. The model is adaptable to different demographic groups and could be expanded to include programs for younger individuals and working adults, in addition to older adults.
The project’s fundamental requirements include an active infrastructure for online services, access to the internet, and a team of trained specialists to educate participants. The training materials are designed to be easily integrated into different cultural contexts. Moreover, the outcomes of DigiEdu can be further enhanced through international collaboration, enabling different countries to tailor the project methods to their local governments and community structures.
DigiEdu is a flexible, effective, and inclusive project that guides local governments in their digital transformation processes, offering a sustainable digital evolution opportunity for all communities.

The DigiEdu Project adopts a comprehensive approach to ensure long-term sustainability. The project offers a sustainable training model aimed at improving individuals' digital skills and encouraging the use of digital services. This model is not confined to a specific region and can easily be adopted by other local governments, institutions, and communities. The training content is designed to be adaptable and updatable, aligning with the continuous evolution of technology while being grounded in essential knowledge and methods for digital competence.
The project's efforts to increase the usage of digital municipal services have the potential to create lasting behavioral changes among individuals. Those who receive training can share their knowledge with others in their communities, creating a ripple effect of learning. Furthermore, the shift to online services reduces operational costs and improves efficiency for municipalities, incentivizing continued investment in digitalization.
The project's sustainability is also bolstered through collaboration and knowledge-sharing between local governments and communities. The outcomes and methodologies of DigiEdu provide a replicable reference model for implementation in other regions. Additionally, the digital training resources developed through the project remain accessible via online platforms, allowing individuals to benefit without time or location constraints.
This approach incorporates environmental sustainability by reducing the reliance on physical vehicle usage through increased adoption of digital municipal services, thereby lowering carbon emissions and supporting eco-friendly urban governance. With its innovative and flexible structure, DigiEdu is a project that achieves lasting economic, social, and environmental impacts.

The DigiEdu Project embodies the core values of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) by promoting equal access to information and communication technologies (ICT) and fostering digital inclusion. Focused on enhancing digital equality and lifelong learning, DigiEdu supports sustainable development goals through impactful initiatives. Targeting disadvantaged groups, particularly individuals aged 60 and above and adults facing challenges with technology, the project bridges the digital divide. Its online and in-person training models have improved digital literacy, granting broader access to public services and aligning with WSIS’s goal of ensuring universal digital access. DigiEdu empowers citizens with ICT skills, supporting lifelong learning and personal development. Its educational modules promote confidence and competence in navigating the digital world, reflecting WSIS’s vision for human-centered technological progress. Additionally, the project aids in combating climate change by expanding municipal digital services, reducing physical visits, and lowering carbon emissions from transportation. This aligns with WSIS’s aim of leveraging technology for sustainable development. Built on a collaboration model between Melikgazi Municipality (Türkiye) and Druskininkai Municipality (Lithuania), DigiEdu showcases successful multi-stakeholder partnerships and knowledge sharing. By advancing digital transformation in diverse cultural contexts, it embodies WSIS’s principles of inclusivity and cooperation. DigiEdu enhances accessibility, equality, and inclusion, improving individuals’ quality of life and creating a replicable, sustainable model for digital transformation globally. This outcome aligns with WSIS’s vision of utilizing technology for sustainable, human-centric progress.