ITU's 160 anniversary

Committed to connecting the world

ITU COUNCIL 2025

Publications on human and institutional capacity building and digital inclusion

RSS Feed RSS Feed What is it? Shopping cart Shopping cart

You are here Home > ITU Publications > Development (ITU-D) > Publications on human and institutional capacity building and digital inclusion

Towards building inclusive digital communities": ITU toolkit and self-assessment for ICT accessibility implementation
2023  

The 2023 edition of the ITU toolkit "Towards Building Inclusive Digital Communities", incorporates content enhancements and website updates which aim to consistently empower ITU members and stakeholders with the most recent information, thus supporting their' efforts in the execution of ICT/digital accessibility at national and regional levels to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age. In addition, the toolkit's self-assessment, available in English, French and Spanish, which complement this resource, enables ITU members and stakeholders to effectively assess and track their progress in the implementation of digital inclusion initiatives by providing back to back tailored expert advice in line with global commitments on inclusion set by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

As a result, ITU members and stakeholders can uncover beneficial practices and solutions to ensure that digital information, products, services, and applications are developed and delivered in line with ICT accessibility requirements, standards, and universal design principles and thus are digitally accessible, to enable their use by all people, irrespective of age, gender, ability, literacy level, or geographical location.

For more information see also video tutorial of the ITU toolkit and self-assessment available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Available inelectronic file  
 
ICT accessibility overview: Assessment for the Africa region
2022  

The aim of this report is to support ITU members and stakeholders from the Africa region in their efforts to achieve inclusive digital communities by assessing ICT accessibility as a key driver in achieving digital inclusion within the digital transformation process. The report provides an overview of the current situation of ICT accessibility implementation in the Africa region.
Available inelectronic file  
Other editions:   2024  
 
ITU study on the assessment of digital accessibility policies in Serbia
2021  

This report is the result of direct assistance provided to the Government of the Republic of Serbia through the ITU Regional Initiative for Europe on accessibility, affordability and skills development for all, to ensure digital inclusion and sustainable development, under the overall coordination of the ITU Regional Office for Europe. This report encourages action to be developed and policies to be implemented for ICT accessibility and digital inclusion that will prevent mass exclusion of and discrimination against vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and older persons, in future emergency situations.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Ageing in a digital world - from vulnerable to valuable
2021  

By 2050, the number of people aged 65 years or older is projected to reach 1.5 billion. "Ageing in a digital world - from vulnerable to valuable" is the first- ever report to be produced by ITU to raise awareness in the ICT sector on the importance of being prepared to respond to the needs and requirements of ageing populations. This report addresses the two global megatrends that reinforce each other: the emergence of digital technologies and ageing populations, both of which are predicted to bring about important socio-economic changes worldwide. The report aims to help ITU members and other stakeholders to understand digital opportunities and take advantage of new possibilities for economic, social and political growth from increased digital inclusion and age-friendly digital environments. It highlights trends, identifies good practices and possible solutions, and presents guidelines that can leverage the contributions of older generations, reduce their age-related vulnerability and foster their socio-economic development to achieve healthier and wealthier inclusive societies. It focuses on the role that ICTs can play in ensuring digitally inclusive communities in which older persons are active participants and valuable contributors.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Digitally empowered Generation Equality: Women, girls and ICT in the context of COVID-19 in selected Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries
2021  

This report is the result of the collaborative efforts of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (UN Women). It focuses on actionable recommendations to stakeholders when it comes to women and girls using, studying and working in digital technology in five Western Balkan States (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) and three Eastern Partnership countries (Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova).
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
ICT accessibility assessment for the Europe region
2021  

The ICT accessibility assessment for the Europe region was launched in the midst of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has reinforced the importance of ICT accessibility. It has been designed to provide ITU members and stakeholders from the ITU Europe region with a holistic view of ICT accessibility requirements, the implementation status of ICT accessibility laws, regulations, policies and institutional frameworks, and with good practices and recommendations.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Digital Skills Assessment Guidebook
2020  New!  

ITU's Digital Skills Assessment Guidebook has been designed to serve as a comprehensive, practical step-by-step tool for national digital skills assessments. The guidebook can be used to determine the existing supply of a digitally skilled cohort at a national level, to assess skills demand from industry and other sectors, to identify skills gaps, and to develop policies to address future digital skills requirements. It is designed for use by policy-makers and other stakeholders, such as partners in the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and academia.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Toolkit for safe listening devices and systems
2019  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Digital Skills Insights

Related links
2021  New!  

More than a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for digital skills development and better connectivity is greater than ever before. Re-building a safe, healthy and efficient working and social environment is a challenge that will require a collective global effort. Lack of digital skills and access to digital networks are barriers that not only slow down this joint effort, but exacerbate an already existing and stark digital divide.
Available inelectronic file  
Other editions:   2020   2019  
 
Digital Skills Toolkit
2018  

This toolkit provides stakeholders with guidance on developing a digital skills strategy. It is intended for policymakers, along with partners in the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and academia. Its overarching aim is to facilitate the development of a comprehensive digital skills strategy at country level.

Readers will find practical information, examples, and step-by-step guides which they can use to develop their national digital skills strategy as well as policies and programmes to address specific priorities. Chapters 3-8 include tools that policymakers and stakeholders can use in developing ideas specifically for their country or context. An editable Word version of these tools is attached to the PDF version of this Toolkit which can be accessed by clicking on the paperclip attachment icon in the left navigation bar.

Available inpaper   electronic file  
Other editions:   2024  
 
Capacity building in a Changing ICT Environment
2018  

This annually released publication puts together scholarly articles with a focus on the human and institutional aspects of capacity building in the telecommunications/ICT sector. It covers a wide range of ICT topics that may affect people and their skills development. As the second issue in the series, the 2018 edition features contributions in an analytical, critical and conceptual approach from international experts on the subject of skills development in a digital era, with articles contributing to the ongoing discussions on how emerging technologies are transforming job markets, determining new skills sets requirements and driving the digital economy requirements for re-skilling.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
Other editions:   Edition 2017  
 
Model ICT accessibility policy report
2014  

Available inelectronic file  
 
Making Television Accessible
2011  

Available inelectronic file  
 
Making mobile phones and services accessible for persons with disabilities
2012  

Available inelectronic file  
 
Connectivity in education: Status and recent developments in nine non-European Union countries
2021  New!  

This report, published jointly by ITU and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), offers an in-depth dive in nine countries of the Europe region, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine, and also provides an aggregate perspective. Connectivity in education must be approached holistically as information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be drivers of i) digital skills development, ii) smart governance of education system, and iii) smart and flexible education delivery at school and at home.

The report tackles connectivity in education by providing i) an overview of education systems and broadband markets at the country level, ii) an overview of government strategies in education and connectivity and the role foreseen for connectivity in education, iii) an account of multi-stakeholder partnerships and financing mechanisms for investment in school connectivity, and iv) an overview of the responses each country has undertaken to COVID-19 towards ensuring continuity of learning through ICTs. A catalogue of country challenges and a catalogue of country experiences that seek to provide stakeholders with a full picture of the challenges faced in the nine countries with regard to connectivity in education are also provided.

Available inelectronic file  
 
Challenges and opportunities for sustainable and effective connectivity policies in Brazilian schools
2023  New!  

This report analyses current policies relating to the provision of Internet connectivity in public schools in Brazil and explores costs of a sustainable national connectivity plan, presenting recommendations for medium- and long-term policies to achieve their goals.
Available inelectronic file  
 
2024  New!  

This framework, designed to help countries understand and navigate their unique cybersecurity ecosystems, emerged from the recognition of the need for a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity capacity development. By fostering a deeper understanding of the cybersecurity education ecosystem, this approach aims to balance immediate workforce gaps with long-term requirements, ensuring sustained cybersecurity resilience.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Viet Nam national cybersecurity education capacity assessment
2021  New!  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
SADC model - national emergency telecommunication plan (NETP)
2024  

This report outlines strategies and frameworks aimed at ensuring coordination across all levels of government, with the engagement of private organization under public and private arrangements, and involvement of communities at risk.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Guidebook on accessibility of online job application and recruitment systems
2022  New!  

Available inelectronic file  
 
Digital Skills Toolkit
2024  New!  

The Digital Skills Toolkit is a guide for governments to develop national digital skills strategies. The aim is to provide governments with step-by-step guidelines and multiple examples that cover a wide range of contexts to draw upon from around the world.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Assessment of skills supply and demand in the digital economy in Nigeria, including digital skills
2023  New!  

This report presents the findings of an assessment of current and emerging skill supply and demand in the digital economy in Nigeria with the view to identifying gaps, opportunities and detecting specific needs that, if addressed, can generate new employment opportunities for young people.
Available inelectronic file  
 
ICT accessibility policy and regulatory framework overview in the CIS region
2021  New!  

Available inelectronic file  
 
Égalité de genre dans la politique numérique au Burundi
2023  

Ce rapport national donne un aperçu de la mesure dans laquelle les genres sont pris en compte dans les politiques, stratégies et réglementations numériques du Burundi, divisé en catégories telles que les instruments internationaux de développement, les politiques et stratégies numériques nationales et les lois et réglementations liées au secteur numérique. Le rapport comprend une liste non exhaustive de programmes spécifiques soutenant l'inclusion numérique au Burundi.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Gender equality in digital policy in Ethiopia
This country report provides an overview of the extent to which gender is addressed in Ethiopia's digital policies, strategies, and regulations, divided into categories such as international development instruments, national digital policies and strategies, and digital sector-related laws and regulations. The report includes a non-exhaustive list of specific programmes supporting digital inclusion in Ethiopia.
2023  

This country report provides an overview of the extent to which gender is addressed in Ethiopia's digital policies, strategies, and regulations, divided into categories such as international development instruments, national digital policies and strategies, and digital sector-related laws and regulations. The report includes a non-exhaustive list of specific programmes supporting digital inclusion in Ethiopia.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Azerbaijan digital skills assessment 2023-2024
Azerbaijan digital skills assessment 2023-2024
2023-2024
Azerbaijan digital skills assessment 2023-2024
The accelerated speed of Azerbaijan's digital transformation journey goes hand in hand with a growing demand for employees with specialized digital skills. This assessment will serve as a valuable resource to inform the data-driven and targeted interventions needed to enhance digital literacy. The publication can also serve as a model for a more regular assessment of the digital literacy level of the citizens of Azerbaijan.
2024  New!  

The accelerated speed of Azerbaijan's digital transformation journey goes hand in hand with a growing demand for employees with specialized digital skills. This assessment will serve as a valuable resource to inform the data-driven and targeted interventions needed to enhance digital literacy. The publication can also serve as a model for a more regular assessment of the digital literacy level of the citizens of Azerbaijan.
Available inelectronic file  
 

© ITU 2025 All Rights Reserved

Back to top