Digital Inclusion Fund

The Digital Inclusion Fund has been developed to reduce digital poverty and its effects across target demographics within Suffolk. The funding has been made available by East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk Community Foundation. The fund aims to help residents become digitally included, bringing wider social benefits to enable people to be better informed, pay less for things, be more employable, feel more independent, be less isolated, and live happier, healthier and easier lives. The fund focuses on three key areas: digital skills provision for Suffolk residents, digital device access for Suffolk residents, and low cost/affordable connectivity for Suffolk residents. Target beneficiaries include residents with lower income levels, residents living with disability or sensory impairment, and residents who are unable to fully access the labour market. The fund prioritizes areas including Lowestoft, North East Suffolk (particularly Leiston/Saxmundham areas), Ipswich areas with higher income deprivation, and rural areas within Babergh, Mid Suffolk, and West Suffolk. Both new innovative projects and existing projects are eligible for funding, including revenue or capital costs, core costs and organizational overheads, and full cost recovery.