Digital inclusion

MAKE DIGITAL ACCESSIBLE TO ALL INHABITANTS OF BRUSSELS

The digital transition is helping to make Brussels a Smart City which increases the well-being of citizens, opens up professional opportunities for them, facilitates interactions with administrations and stimulates economic dynamism. In this perspective, it is essential to increase the accessibility and basic digital skills of citizens.

However, this digitalisation also leads to inequalities within the population:
 

• those linked to access to computers and an Internet connection;
• those linked to knowledge of computers and how to use them;
• those linked to usage and the ability to take ownership of the contents made accessible by ICTs.

To reduce these inequalities, the Region has approved an action plan ( FR / NL). Through this plan, the Region acknowledges the urgent need to take concrete measures to enhance the digital skills of the people of Brussels.

MENU
 

1. Where can I browse the internet for free and who can help me with IT?

1.1. Digital Public Spaces

1.1.1. What do DPSs offer?

1.1.2. The DPSs in your municipality

1.1.3. Certified DPSs

1.2. Other digital inclusion structures and resources

2. Am I entitled to the social tariff?

3. Where can I find computer equipment?

4. How can I carry out my administrative processes online?

5. Digital Inclusion Coordination and the Digital Appropriation Plan

Are you looking for somewhere to connect to the internet? Would you like know where to buy a cheap computer? Would you like to learn how to use a computer, search the internet or prepare your CV? Would you like more information about the social tariff or online administrative processes? You are on the right page!  We will explain everything here.

1.Where can I browse the internet for free and who can help me with IT? 2.Am I entitled to the social tariff? 3.Where can I find computer equipment? 4.How can I carry out my administrative processes?  5.Digital Inclusion Coordination and the Digital Appropriation Plan

1. WHERE CAN I BROWSE THE INTERNET FOR FREE AND WHO CAN HELP ME WITH IT? 

Most Digital Public Spaces offer access to a computer, to the Internet, and to support and training.

You also have alternatives for accessing the Internet free of charge:

• On this page, you can find other places where you can consult the internet 
• Here you can find the wifi.brussels network points where you can connect to the internet free of charge

1.1. DIGITAL PUBLIC SPACES

A Digital Public Space (DPS) is a public access space that makes digital technology available to the whole population. A DPS provides equipment (computers, ID card readers, etc.) and an Internet connection, either free of charge or for a nominal fee.

1.1.1.What do DPSs offer?

In most Digital Public spaces, you can enjoy:

• access, free or for a nominal cost, to computer equipment and an internet connection;
• a basic introduction to IT: how to use the mouse and the keyboard, use of a smartphone and tablet, etc.
• basic to advanced training: basic use of digital tools in general, and sometimes learning how to use very specific software such as video editing, photo editing, website creation, etc. The basic training is common to all DPSs;
• global digital support: help with internet searches (housing, travel, job-search sites, etc.), drafting and formatting of a CV, drafting and/or correction of letters, etc.;
• digital support for the different online administrative processes (public or private).

1.1.3. CERTIFIED DPSs

The Brussels-Capital Region has put in place a 'DPS recognised by the Brussels-Capital Region' label in 2019. This label is a guarantee of the quality and recognition of a DPS that meets certain criteria: public accessibility, number of hours open, number of training hours, presence of a qualified trainer, and adequate equipment. They can be found here.

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1.3. OTHER DIGITAL INCLUSION STRUCTURES AND RESOURCES

Other support structures and training courses are also available to assist you:
 

You will also find the Brussels digital inclusion stakeholders on the map produced by CABAN and on the Bruxelles Social website.

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2. AM I ENTITLED TO THE SOCIAL TARIFF ?

The social tariff is a discount granted by operators on the fixed telephone or Internet bill. To receive it, certain conditions have to be met. The complete provisions regarding social tariff beneficiaries are laid down in Article 22 of the Annex to the Act of 13 June 2005 on electronic communications.

How to apply for the social tariff

Your application for the social tariff must be submitted to your operator (if they are a social tariff provider), who will inform you of the possible discounts, depending on your tariff plan.

The operator then forwards the application to the BIPT (Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications), which checks whether you meet the conditions for the social tariff. If the dossier is approved, the operator applies the social tariff and adapts the bills from the next invoicing period.

If necessary, the BIPT will contact you by post for further information and then informs the operator whether the dossier has been approved or refused.

For questions on the conditions for the social tariff, please contact the BIPT officials from Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm on +32 (0)2 226 89 51.

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3. WHERE CAN I FIND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT?

Do you not have a computer at home? Do you tend to use computers in public spaces (libraries, Digital Public Spaces, etc.)?

Below are some associations that allow you to buy or rent IT equipment at reduced prices:

If you have a disability and need adapted IT equipment, please contact the non-profit organisation Solival, which has set up a technological aid project called "CyberVal"

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4. HOW CAN I CARRY OUT MY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES ONLINE?

You can complete almost all your administrative processes online, at home, using your computer.

If you don't have a computer or are experiencing difficulties using one... Please visit section "1. Digital Public Spaces".

How to connect

There are several ways to connect to online services:

• Via your electronic identity card
• via itsme
• via Token

You can find the manual here (.pdf, 4.61 MB)

List of Digital public services for requesting official documents

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5. DIGITAL INCLUSION COORDINATION AND THE DIGITAL APPROPRIATION PLAN
 

This page was created in the context of the Digital Inclusion Plan 2021-2024 (DAP) [fr][nl]. This Plan was drafted by the Digital Inclusion Coordination (DIC) within Paradigm, in collaboration with the members of the Digital Inclusion Working Group and in cooperation with the stakeholders on the ground. Through this plan, the Brussels-Capital Region acknowledges the urgent need to take concrete measures to enhance the digital skills of the people of Brussels.

Are you a digital inclusion stakeholder and/or wanting more information about the projects of the Digital Inclusion Coordination? Visit the smartcity.brussels portal.

Any questions? Any comments? Contact the Digital Inclusion Coordination within Paradigm's Digital Transformation Hub

By email via inclusion@paradigm.brussels

By post, to the Digital Inclusion Coordination, at the following address: Avenue des Arts 21, B-1000 Brussels.

Information updated on 20 July 2023.