The Charter
Scotland’s Digital Inclusion Charter exists to support, guide and recognise best practice in digital inclusion work in Scotland.
The pledges are about structuring digital inclusion in a way that makes it easier to explain, discuss, and share with colleagues and organisations.
These pledges are clear about specific actions people can take to advance and promote digital inclusion for staff, service users and customers. They’re designed so that we can take a recognised approach to delivering digital inclusion work, regardless of the sector or community we work in.
Different organisations will deliver on pledges in different ways – and that’s okay. That’s what makes this work so interesting and diverse. As long as people are at the heart of what we do, we can’t go wrong.
From the smallest charity to the largest corporation, we all have a role to play. The Charter is here to help you.
The pledges
The Charter has also been examined through a digital ethics lens to consider the Ethical Digital Nation approach for Scotland. The pledge commitments will support organisations to deliver ethical and sustainable digital inclusion. In doing so, Charter signatories can become responsive to rapidly changing technology whilst maintaining transparency and respect for human rights.
We commit to understanding digital exclusion and how it impacts the people we work with.
We know that digital inclusion is everyone’s responsibility, and being able to articulate what that means is the first step towards making change in our organisations and communities.
This pledge is about understanding the issues, speaking with a common language and being able to present a strong case for digital inclusion where you have influence.
We commit to delivering on digital inclusion across our organisation, based on our understanding of need.
Digital inclusion works best when it’s embedded within an organisation and forms part of the everyday.
This pledge is about how you do digital inclusion. It’s about making sure you are always measuring and understanding the impact of the work you do in a way that means it can be embedded and sustainable. It’s about ensuring that digital inclusion is a culture within your organisation.
We commit to identifying and utilising appropriate resources for digital inclusion.
Digital inclusion requires an input of resources to make sure that the people you’re working with have ease of access to what they need. This includes ensuring you’re well equipped as an organisation or service to support them.
This pledge is about making sure you can put what you can towards improving the digital ambitions of people. It’s about understanding what assets are available to you – and the gaps that you can fill. In doing so, you remove barriers and assure fair and equitable access to digital for those that want it.
We commit to working in genuine partnership where we can, to promote and advance digital inclusion.
Through meaningful partnership work and collaboration, we can solve problems and work towards solutions in a more connected way. Working towards a common goal will help to normalise digital inclusion in our society.
This pledge is about being proactive in sharing our learning, understanding who our allies are and engaging in partnerships that actively help the people that need it.
We commit to contributing towards a wider conversation, developing a sense of community and being part of something bigger – because digital inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
Digital inclusion is something we all have a stake in because it’s something we can all influence. The conversation needs to be active, loud and meaningful. By coming together, we can speak with a unified voice and make positive change happen.
This pledge is an understanding that in doing digital inclusion work, we are part of something bigger. It’s a recognition that we build on the work that has happened so far, learning from each other, and supporting Scotland to thrive as a leader in the field.
You can be part of ensuring a fairer Scotland today by signing the Charter and committing to these pledges. We’re here to help you every step of the way.