Technology
Brussels Digital Literacy Programs Balance Skill Gaps Against Privacy and Equity Concerns
Programs across the city seek to close skill gaps yet confront privacy concerns and unequal rollout in specific districts.
How we reported this
Brussels launched expanded digital literacy workshops this month through partnerships with city libraries and tech hubs, targeting residents who lack basic online navigation skills amid rising EU data rules.
The effort comes as Belgium aligns with the bloc's 2025 Digital Decade targets, which set deadlines for widespread basic digital competence by 2030, and follows reports showing persistent gaps in access that affect job applications and public services in dense urban areas.
Classes now run at BeCentral on Rue des Poissonniers in the city centre and at the Ixelles municipal library branch on Avenue de la Toison d'Or, where instructors cover everything from secure password creation to spotting phishing attempts tied to local banking apps.
Privacy and access hurdles surface in rollout
Organisers note that some participants hesitate to share personal details for course registration due to fears over data handling by third-party platforms, while others in Molenbeek report travel barriers because sessions cluster in central venues rather than neighbourhood centres.
EU statistics from 2024 indicate that 44 percent of Belgians aged 16 to 74 still lack basic digital skills, a figure that has improved only marginally since 2022 despite targeted funding.
Next steps for residents and organisers
City officials plan to add evening sessions at the Saint-Gilles cultural centre starting in September, with registration open through the Brussels-Capital Region website, and participants can request paper-based alternatives to avoid online forms altogether.
Residents should check the regional digital inclusion portal for updated schedules and contact their local library directly before committing to any program that requires app downloads.