Digital proficiency initiative showing results: Over 43,000 citizens have engaged in workshops
Austria's digital education landscape has seen significant growth over the past few years, as the country's Digital Competence Offensive (DCO) continues to make strides in improving digital literacy across the nation.
In the EU ranking of digital basic competencies, Austria climbed from 9th place in 2021 to 8th place in 2023, demonstrating the initiative's impact. The DCO, which has been ongoing for two years, has reached over 43,000 participants through more than 6,000 'Digital Everywhere' workshop series.
These workshops, held across all federal states, focus on digital everyday skills, security, and digital administrative procedures. Over 700 communities are active partners in Austria's digital education initiative, making it a nationwide effort.
The DCO's small group approach, with up to 10 people per trainer, has proven effective in fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. It's no surprise then that over 94% of participants are satisfied with the 'Digital Everywhere' workshops, with almost 80% expressing very high levels of satisfaction.
To further strengthen digital competencies in Austria, over a third of municipalities are already strengthening local digital competencies through 'Digital Everywhere' workshops. Some municipalities also use Digi-Dolmetscher/innen to facilitate the implementation of these workshops locally.
However, despite Austria's above-average performance in the EU comparison, there is a clear need for action to continue improving digital competencies. To address this, the DCO has expanded its focus areas to include the Action Plan -Competences, the introduction of a -Basic Curriculum, and the initiative She goes to strengthen women in the field of competences.
Moreover, a focus on AI competencies and strengthening women in the field of competences has been reinforced since 2025 as part of the strategic orientation of the Digital Competence Offensive. In 2025, 'Digital Everywhere PLUS' was launched, offering a deepening advanced program with up to 1,000 modular workshop series.
The success of Austria's Digital Competence Offensive has not gone unnoticed. Germany is planning a similar digital literacy initiative based on Austria's model, reflecting the global importance of digital education in today's interconnected world.
State Secretary for Digitalization in Austria, Alexander Proell, is a supporter of the DCO, highlighting its role in bridging digital divides and empowering individuals to thrive in the digital age. With its continued expansion and impact, the DCO is poised to play a significant role in shaping Austria's digital future.
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