When sustainability bridges the digital divide

Creating shared value for the community in tangible ways, even in the most difficult times. That’s what we did in Spain when the Covid-19 pandemic began and lockdowns took everyone by surprise, forcing people to restructure their models for relationships, work, communication and even school education practically overnight, in the name of social distancing. That is when the digital divide became evident: without access to computers or internet connections, the most vulnerable students risked having to give up their fundamental right to education. Endesa and its renewable energy division, EGP España, were quick to respond: they launched a project to help children with limited economic resources who live near our plants, providing them with computers and internet connection cards. And that’s not all. Having a computer is important but not enough, so Endesa and EGP España also launched education and training courses focused on digital skills in computer programming, app development, 3D design and web development for teachers and students. Laptops for more than 5,000 children One of the objectives of the project, which was carried out in collaboration with numerous local administrations, was to deliver laptops and connection cards to vulnerable children from 429 public schools in the area around 40 of our Group’s plants. The initiative benefited over 5,000 children and young students from some 160 municipalities, thus ensuring they were not excluded from access to education while still protecting them from health risks at the height of the pandemic. The second objective was to provide education and training on digital skills to teachers and students: an initiative that benefited teachers from 286 schools and over 55,200 students who received online training. “When a project like this is conceived – in a situation as delicate as the one we went through and are still experiencing in the ongoing pandemic – our employees are completely on board as soon as the initiative begins. I believe that’s something we should be proud of.” Inmaculada Fiteni, Head of CSV and Sustainability Projects, Iberia Thanks to this program, teachers and students – including those with limited economic resources – acquired the necessary skills for an increasingly digitalized education model. Technology should help meet different needs. The digital divide is already an obstacle to education in normal times, but it becomes a very serious problem in exceptional cases such as the lockdown that was required to stop Covid-19 from spreading, when distance learning made it possible to continue attending classes. Thanks to education, including distance learning, people can acquire greater autonomy and independence. Fighting isolation Having a computer and an internet connection also allowed the children not to feel isolated or different. And once the lockdown was over, computers remained an important study aid. Although these tools were primarily intended for the education of young students, they’ve helped open up new possibilities for their families as well. Digitalizing schools and enabling students to stay connected is also part of our efforts for sustainability – which is not only an environmental value but also an economic and social one. An inclusive sustainability that leaves no one behind. And that also boosted motivation in Endesa’s and EGP España’s people, who enthusiastically committed to the project.

{{ currentMenugamenu.label }}

{{ currentSubMenugamenu.label }}

{{ card.title }}

{{ currentSubMenugamenu.numbers.title }}

When sustainability bridges the digital divide

When sustainability bridges the digital divide

Related content

{{article.title}}

{{article.title}}

{{article.title}}