by Mariam Dakhundaridze, Communications Commission of Georgia, Georgia.
In Georgia, rural communities have long struggled with limited access to digital technologies, creating a significant gap between urban and rural areas. This digital divide has hindered economic growth, restricted access to education and healthcare, and left many, especially rural communities disadvantaged in an increasingly connected world. Recognising the need to ensure equal opportunities for all, the Government of Georgia has taken steps to address these disparities and empower the rural population with the tools and skills necessary to thrive in the digital age. A key initiative in this effort is the Digital Adoption Program (DAP), an integral part of the broader Log-in Georgia project, launched in 2020 to support the State Internetisation Program. The project aims to bring high-quality internet access to up to 1,000 villages and 500,000 citizens across Georgia, including those in high-mountainous areas, empowering them to leverage the vast benefits of digital services. This initiative aligns with Georgia’s National Broadband Development Strategy (2020-2025) and is co-financed by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.
The Log-in Georgia project is structured into two key components, each designed to address specific aspects of Georgia’s digital transformation:
Component 1 – Expanding Broadband Access focuses on extending broadband internet connectivity to rural settlements, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure for digital development is in place.
Component 2 – Promoting Broadband-Enabled Digital Services supports the adoption of online applications, fosters inclusion, and addresses barriers to digital participation. This component is critical to strengthening Georgia’s economy in the digital era.
The Log-in Georgia project is executed by Open Net under the oversight of the Ministry of
Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia (MoESD). Component 2, which focuses on
fostering digital services, is being implemented by the Georgian National Communications
Commission (ComCom), specifically highlighted in this article.
The DAP is an initiative that has extended ComCom’s reach to remote, mountainous rural areas of Georgia since 2022. This program is designed to equip the residents of the project-targeted rural communities with essential digital skills, enabling them to navigate an increasingly interconnected technological world. The DAP serves as a bridge, ensuring that no part of the country is left behind, fostering digital inclusivity and empowerment for all by promoting internet use in the underserved targeted rural areas. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, including women and women-headed households, ethnic and social minorities, the elderly (65 and older), and persons with disabilities, as well as school teachers, high school students, local librarians and small entrepreneurs.
Through thematic training modules, DAP aims to raise awareness about digital literacy in general, the use of digital services, and the safe use of the Internet. To achieve this objective, the DAP entails intensive and regular stakeholder and citizen engagement to match use cases to settlements through participatory needs assessment, prioritisation exercises and delivery of training and capacity- or awareness-building programs in selected settlements.
The Program provides two main modules focusing on Digital Literacy and the Safe Use of the Internet. These modules cover essential topics such as internet literacy – using search engines, email management, using Google Maps and Translator, online communication tools, privacy and data protection, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Additionally, the Program offers information sessions on E-governmental services, E-commerce, and internet users’ rights for all residents (aged 14 and above) in the targeted areas.
To ensure effective implementation, the Program is supported by a team of local Digital Ambassadors, who are embedded in the settlements to facilitate citizen and stakeholder engagement activities, as well as deliver training and awareness-building programs.
As part of the DAP, ComCom organises informational meetings for local government civil servants on Media and Information Literacy. These meetings cover diverse topics, including the role and significance of media literacy, methods for distinguishing different types of information (persuasion, facts, opinions, and misinformation), strategies for identifying disinformation, recognising trolls and bots, understanding propaganda and conspiracy theories, and further exploring the capabilities of AI from the media literacy perspective.
To better understand and address the needs of its target population, ComCom conducted a Community Needs Assessment in 2023 to design a tailored and demand-driven program. This comprehensive study aimed to provide an objective, impartial, and complete assessment of the digital literacy needs of rural communities of the Universal Internetisation Program. The research evaluated all necessary components for planning a training program, including knowledge, skills, experience, awareness, attitudes, dispositions, and readiness, while also assessing crucial contextual and environmental factors.
The survey findings revealed important insights: only 10% of respondents do not use the Internet, and among Internet users, more than 50% express confidence in their ability to use digital technologies and perform various online tasks. However, the research identified several challenges: some active Internet users lack proper digital knowledge and struggle with independent task completion, while others possess such limited digital skills that they cannot perform basic tasks. Furthermore, the survey highlighted that many rural residents have low awareness levels, with most only having a superficial understanding of available online services and opportunities.
To further promote digital inclusion in Georgia, ComCom conducted a diagnostic study on the state of digital inclusion in Georgia in collaboration with international experts. The study explored key questions such as: What does digital exclusion or inclusion mean in the Georgian context? Who in Georgia is digitally excluded and why? Based on the findings of this assessment, along with stakeholder consultations and input from an inter-agency working group, a set of actions and recommendations were developed.
The success of the DAP is largely attributed to strong collaboration with local governments and local stakeholders, including NGOs. This partnership is fundamental to ensuring the program’s effectiveness, with stakeholder and citizen engagement enabling active community involvement in its implementation and ensuring digital inclusion benefits reach those who need it most.
The program has been successfully implemented on a large scale reaching over 200 targeted rural settlements. In 2025, it will continue expanding into additional municipal regions across Georgia.
However, the implementation of DAP has encountered several challenges. Primary obstacles include limitations in existing internet infrastructure, particularly in remote rural areas, where connectivity issues persist despite efforts to expand broadband access. The program has also faced challenges related to varying levels of digital literacy across communities, with many individuals in underserved rural areas struggling to adapt to new technologies. Additionally, socioeconomic barriers such as low-income levels and limited access to digital devices have complicated efforts to promote widespread digital adoption.
To ensure long-term sustainability, several measures are being implemented. These include ongoing training and capacity-building initiatives, maintenance of digital infrastructure, and continued collaboration with local stakeholders. This community-driven approach helps build local ownership and supports the continuous growth of digital literacy and services.
In this context, the new European Union (EU)-funded project “REDI: Rural Development Through Digital Inclusion”, launched in 2023, complements DAP’s objectives by addressing the same challenges of connectivity infrastructure and digital literacy. As an independent yet complementary initiative, REDI focuses on enhancing connectivity and boosting digital literacy, targeting vulnerable groups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and rural communities of the selected municipal regions of Georgia. By establishing digital centers and fostering digital skills in up to 200 villages, REDI strengthens Georgia’s overall commitment to digital inclusion, building on the foundation laid by DAP. The project is implemented by two EU member states – Estonia (eGovernance Academy (eGA) and Poland (Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL).
The transformative potential of the DAP is further highlighted by its strategic focus and practical approach. The DAP is a unique and unprecedented initiative designed to equip rural communities in Georgia with essential digital skills enabling them to navigate an increasingly interconnected digital world. The program serves as a catalyst for bridging the digital divide, promoting inclusivity and digital empowerment for everyone.
This vision is already becoming a reality, as the DAP has had a tangible and meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and communities. The stories of its beneficiaries illustrate how the program has addressed barriers to digital access and transformed everyday experiences. For instance:
Lika Gazdeliani from Lentekhi Municipality
“It has been a year since my family and I opened the cafe-bar “Sad Aris” in Lentekhi district. The digital literacy training provided me with invaluable skills that have significantly contributed to our success. I listed my business on Google Maps, which boosted the number of guests, and now I can manage updates on the platform independently. Additionally, AI has been a tremendous help in cooking, offering practical advice that I regularly apply in practice”.
Salukvadze Family from Ozurgeti Municipality
In the village of Likhauri, approximately 800 families have gained access to fiber-optic internet services through the State Internetisation Program. For the Salukvadze family, this new connectivity, coupled with the digital skills they developed through the DAP, has been a game-changer. Leveraging their knowledge, they have expanded their small restaurant business, attracting more tourists and visitors and turning their establishment into a local success story.
Tamar Saghinadze from Tsageri Municipality
“For the past two years, I have been teaching geography to lower-grade students, and AI has transformed my teaching methods. It is like having a personal assistant that helps me design lesson plans that are both engaging and effective. I have also integrated Google services into the curriculum because, in today’s world, geography is inseparable from tools like Google Maps. Thanks to the DAP, my teaching approach has become far more dynamic and innovative”.
In conclusion, the DAP stands as a critical initiative in bridging the digital divide in rural Georgia, empowering individuals with digital skills that open doors to economic opportunities, education, and improved access to essential services. By fostering local ownership and supporting the continuous expansion of digital resources, DAP plays a pivotal role in Georgia’s broader goal of digital inclusion, making sure that no community is left behind in the digital age.
Author
Mariam Dakhundaridze, DAP Manager, Communications Commission of Georgia, Georgia.
