Digital skills: How can we create a habit of going digital
By Kristi Kivilo, Senior Expert, and Rica Williams, Senior Expert
A digital transformation succeeds when people consistently use and trust digital services, acting safely online. Digital is a channel. The benefit comes from people using services digitally and gaining real value for them – whether by saving time or money or by enjoying other conveniences.
When talking to clients about digitalisation, we often say it needs not only a technological change but also a mindset change – adopting a pro-technology view and understanding the need to change processes behind technology.
But even if we have the right mindset, more is needed to engage stakeholders and users to behave in a new way. What does it take to create a habit of going digital?
Journey from non-users to users of digital opportunities
Creating a habit of going digital entails reducing the digital divide and overcoming the skills gap. And that means overcoming resistance to change and overcoming trust barriers. The nobody-left-behind approach to digitalisation relies on putting the human user at the centre of digitalisation activities. Addressing the digital divide should be part of any digitalisation project, especially when addressing end-users. That includes considering accessibility in terms of languages and following WCAG guidelines. At eGA, we use tailored, interactive workshops to assist this – for example, combining technology topics with implementation topics such as change management, engagement and communication.
Building digital confidence with innovative learning methods
Modern technology empowers flexible learning, enabling busy professionals, such as leaders, to access training in short, on-demand bursts that fit into their hectic schedules. With research indicating that adults typically have only 24 minutes per week for additional learning, optimising these precious moments with effective methods is crucial for achieving desired learning outcomes.
This necessitates a diverse approach that considers the value of both face-to-face workshops and seminars alongside the convenience of bite-sized learning and everything in between.
Bite-size learning
In recent years, one major trend in learning has been short, bite-sized learning modules delivered through various channels. These can be in forms of videos, podcasts, interactive apps and so on, to cater to today’s short attention spans and busy lifestyles. We at eGA have supported the creation of informational videos and podcasts, especially as part of online safety projects; we will also include, for example, online safety talks as part of morning TV for the audience in Moldova. These are supported by a radio and social media campaign and the use of influencers.
Democratisation of information
Improved access to information and educational resources empowers individuals to learn at their own pace and increases the media literacy that is increasingly needed in a world filled with mis- and disinformation. Deciding how to make information available, easy to find and tailored to the right audience is a big part of awareness-raising.
As part of the Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance project, a website and Facebook page was created and continues to be updated and improved under the 2.0 project. Additionally, in 2025 we will publish an online compendium of best practices for cybersecurity targeting the Western Balkans as part of the Cyber Balkan project. This format improves both information-sharing and access to knowledge, with authors from the region and Europe.
Fostering a culture of learning and collaboration
Creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment is part of any capacity-building initiative. This can be in the form of an online platform or networks of people, where learners, educators and subject matter experts and connect and share knowledge and provide peer-to-peer learning.
For example, in REDI (Rural Empowerment through Digital Inclusion) in Georgia, local trainers are involved as part of a train-the-trainers approach. In addition, in the Cyber Balkan project, as part of the KnowCyber grant, the receivers of the grants provided for raising awareness about online safety can collaborate with each other and governments of the area as part of project activities – from study trips and workshops to online meetings.
Gamification and out-of-the-box solutions
Incorporating game mechanics into learning experiences can increase engagement, motivation and knowledge retention. Gamification has become popular in recent years and shows no sign of slowing down. We eagerly await the results of KnowCyber grants, which leverage gamification and AI to create interactive online safety learning materials.
Creative formats can boost engagement, as shown by the 2024–2025 creative writing competition on online safety under the Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance 2.0 project. As part of the activity, the participants receive creative writing knowledge but also a better understanding of online safety and find an innovative way to analyse the topic for themselves and others. This, in return, helps us to establish storylines that promote online safety in general.
Strategic communication
Clear, concise and culturally relevant communication is vital for promoting digitalisation and online safety. Under the Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance 2.0 project, we are piloting initiatives like influencer campaigns, bus ads, podcasts and social media presence to support user training. The communication also takes advantage of international initiatives for online safety – Safe Internet Day or Cybersecurity Month – building a community of partners, including the private sector and NGOs.
Effective strategies also involve opinion leaders, as seen in implementing enterprise architecture in the Republic of Zimbabwe, in the Cyber Balkan project or in digital skills training in Georgia. They already have a knowledge of the audiences and channels for communication or cooperation with the public and private sector.
The future of digital engagement lies in continued collaboration, innovation and a deep understanding of human behaviour. We can create genuinely inclusive and digitally empowered societies by embracing emerging learning trends, addressing the challenges of the digital divide and capitalising on the opportunities.
Key strategies for building digital skills
Most digitalisation projects include capacity-building, awareness-raising or change management, but digital skills enhancement is worth considering as a dedicated work stream or separate smaller projects focusing on:
- Developing capacity-building frameworks: Create tailored capacity-building frameworks based on thorough surveys and analysis of specific needs and contexts.
- Prioritising public sector training: Focus on equipping public sector employees with the necessary digital skills and knowledge to effectively implement and utilise IT solutions and digital services.
- Creating specialised courses: Develop country-specific training programs for critical areas like online safety, data protection or user-centred design. Trainings created for well-defined topics and audiences yield better learning outcomes.
- Creating communication strategies: Implement robust communication strategies to effectively disseminate information to the public about digitalisation initiatives, online safety measures and available resources.
- Embracing learning trends: Incorporate innovative learning approaches such as bite-size learning, gamification and interactive workshops, while adapting these methods to suit the specific needs and preferences of local audiences.
Key projects
2022–2025
SDG 16
The Rapid Assistance Project 1.0 & 2.0 focuses on increasing the cyber-resilience of public sector organisations and critical infrastructure sectors of Moldova.
Funded by the European Union
2023–2027
SDG 5, 8
This project aims to bridge Georgia’s digital divide by enhancing access to affordable digital infrastructure and boosting digital literacy in rural regions like Imereti, Guria, Racha-Lechkhumi, Kvemo Svaneti and Kakheti.
Funded by the European Union
2023–2026
SDG 16, 17
This project aims to strengthen cyber resilience in the Western Balkans by enhancing cybersecurity prevention, preparedness and response among public and private stakeholders in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, aligned with EU standards and best practices.
Funded by the European Union