An online platform for citizen participation, an initiative against disinformation on the Internet or tandem partnership for first steps with the smartphone: to appreciate the many facets of digital engagement, the initiative “Digital for All” (DFA) awards digital awards for the fourth time on the occasion of the digital day Times the “Digital Union Award“.
Until April 3, 2023, projects oriented towards the common good that successfully promote digital participation or exploit the opportunities of digital change for civic engagement can apply using an online form. Projects should have already started and be long-term. A top-notch judging panel will decide the winners, who will be announced on June 14, 2023, just before national Digital Day. The prize is endowed with a total of 20,000 euros.
“Digitalization opens up many opportunities and new topics in volunteering and volunteering. This potential needs to be encouraged,” explains Kimberly Klebolte, Chief Executive Officer of DFA. “With the Digital Union Award, we want to honor engaged people and make the diversity of digital engagement visible.”
Digital Union Award 2023 in two categories
The prize is awarded in two categories: In the “Digital Participation” category, projects and initiatives that take people out of the digital world and enable them to move independently and safely in the digital world, as well as projects for greater accessibility on the web.
In the “Digital Commitment” category, projects are awarded that use digital technologies in an innovative way to expand civic engagement, for example by digitally supporting aid to refugees, facilitating the work of associations with open source solutions or campaigning against hate on the internet.
Satisfied with last year's winner
“The Digital Union Award has opened many doors for us as a young company and made a new cooperation possible,” explains Christian Wild von Hohenborn, winner of last year's category “Digital Commitment” and co-founder of senf.app . Citizens can use the digital platform to share ideas for urban development on an interactive map.
Last year, the “Digital Home” project of the Neue Chance Berlin eV association, which offers the homeless access to the digital world, won in the “Digital Participation” category. Managing Director Martin Helmchen says of the victory: “Thanks to the award, we can now continue the project, which is financed exclusively by donations. Thus, even more homeless people receive digital devices such as laptops and smartphones and receive extensive training from us in according to their needs”.