Refugee Digital Empowerment Network (R-DEN)

Project Duration: October 2022 – September 2023

Project Lead: Teodor Yankov

Team Members: Shashwat Kansal, Anna-Noémie Ouattara Boni, Faissal Sharif, James, Luis Rita, Monir Ahmadi, Reece Koch

Introduction

The digital revolution has transformed access to essential services, education, employment, and social connections. However, for many refugees and asylum seekers, this transformation remains out of reach due to a lack of digital literacy, financial constraints, and restrictive policies. The Refugee Digital Empowerment Network (R-DEN) project seeks to address these challenges by equipping refugees in London with the digital skills and resources necessary to thrive in today's world.

Through collaborative efforts with NGOs and volunteers, R-DEN has developed practical solutions to close the digital divide and foster digital empowerment among vulnerable populations.

Project Overview

Objectives

R-DEN focuses on tackling the specific barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face in accessing digital tools and the Internet:

• Digital Skills Gaps: Many refugees lack basic digital literacy, compounded by limited English proficiency.
• Resource Constraints: Access to Internet services is often unaffordable due to refugees’ financial limitations.
• Policy Barriers: Asylum seekers in the UK face restrictive policies, such as a limited daily budget and restrictions on employment, which exacerbate their challenges in digital access.

By addressing these issues, the project aims to empower refugees and asylum seekers with the skills they need to:

• Mitigate isolation by providing access to digital communication tools.
• Improve educational and employment opportunities through digital literacy.
• Facilitate social integration by connecting individuals to essential online services.

Strategies and Approach

The Refugee Digital Empowerment Network implemented a collaborative and research-driven strategy to develop meaningful solutions. After consultations with organizations such as the Good Things Foundation, R-DEN identified significant gaps in digital skills training for refugees, leading to the creation of the Refugee Digital Empowerment Handbook.

Key Strategies

1. Collaboration with NGOs: Partner with London-based organizations that work directly with refugees and asylum seekers to provide targeted resources and training.
2. Resource Creation: Develop a comprehensive digital handbook that covers key digital literacy topics, designed to be user-friendly and accessible to people with varying levels of technical knowledge.
3. Volunteer Engagement: Build a network of young professionals and students to support the project through workshops and mentorship programs.

The Refugee Digital Empowerment Handbook

The handbook serves as the cornerstone of the project, offering easy-to-follow guides on essential digital skills. It is designed to function both as a self-help tool and as a resource for NGOs and volunteers delivering training workshops. The content covers a wide range of topics, from basic internet navigation to more specific skills like using communication tools (e.g., email, WhatsApp) and accessing online services.

Implementation Phases

The project followed a three-phase approach:

1. Planning

The team identified key areas where refugees and asylum seekers needed digital support, outlining these in a curriculum-style format that focused on practical, real-world applications of digital skills.

2. Research

Each topic in the curriculum was expanded through thorough research, exploring the specific skills refugees would need and the available resources that could help them. The team also gathered testimonials and feedback from refugees to ensure the content was relevant and accessible.

3. Content Creation

The project team organized the research into a visually engaging slide deck, incorporating flowcharts, interactive text, and visual aids. The aim was to make the handbook intuitive and accessible, even for individuals with limited digital experience.

Resources & Tools

To support the creation and dissemination of the handbook, the team utilized a variety of tools:

• Notion: For project management and team collaboration.
• Google Docs & Google Slides: For content development and the creation of the handbook.
• Typeform & Google Forms: For conducting digital gap diagnostics and recruiting volunteers.

Impact and Outcomes

While the project is still in its dissemination phase, the planning and research stages have been successfully completed, and early testing has shown promising results. The R-DEN project has the potential to significantly improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers by empowering them with the digital skills needed to navigate modern life.

Beneficiaries

• Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Particularly those who face significant digital skills gaps, such as elderly individuals or other vulnerable groups.
• NGOs and Charities: Organizations working with refugees can use the handbook to enhance their digital upskilling efforts, improving the overall impact of their programs.

Early Success Stories

One success story involves a Congolese asylum seeker who participated in the project’s early testing phase. Through the digital skills she learned, she was able to:

• Reduce communication costs by utilizing email and WhatsApp effectively.
• Access mental health resources online.
• Engage with entertainment platforms like YouTube, which provided a much-needed outlet for social and emotional support.

Conclusion

The Refugee Digital Empowerment Network (R-DEN) represents an important first step toward bridging the digital divide for refugees and asylum seekers in London. By providing essential digital skills and fostering partnerships with NGOs and volunteers, R-DEN is helping to empower vulnerable populations and enhance their opportunities for education, employment, and social integration.

The success of this project highlights the critical role that digital literacy plays in enabling refugees to participate in the digital age fully. We remain committed to expanding these efforts and supporting organizations working on the frontlines of refugee support.

Get Involved: For more information or to join our volunteer network, don't hesitate to contact us at londonshapersiii@gmail.com Together, we can help close the digital divide and empower refugees with the tools they need for a brighter future.