State Secretary for Digitalization Eddie van Marum: “Not everyone can keep up in our increasingly digital society. People with lower incomes sometimes cannot afford a PC or laptop. If we do nothing about it, inequality in society will grow. That’s why I am proud that we are now starting to donate refurbished work laptops to people who need them but cannot afford them.”
Digital Skills Are Just as Important
Having a laptop is one thing. But knowing how to use it is just as important. More and more Dutch people are learning digital skills. Yet in 2023, 17% of people still lacked basic digital skills. The government has been working for some time to improve this. Residents can go to the Digital Government Information Points (IDO). These are free help points, often in libraries. Anyone can get help with digital government matters there. People can also call the Digital Help Line (free number 0800 – 1508) with questions about their computer, e-reader, mobile phone, or internet.
Giving Devices a Second Life
The implementation of the project is handled by the foundation Allemaal Digitaal. Devices that the ministry no longer uses are first thoroughly cleaned and refurbished. The foundation then passes the devices on to various social organizations, such as libraries and welfare organizations. Through these organizations, the devices ultimately reach people who cannot afford a PC or laptop themselves. The project will last at least until 2030. The more ministries make their used devices available, the more devices the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations can purchase to donate.
