In an effort to promote digitalization and foster digital equity, the GAIA Cluster has established a partnership with the Bofill Foundation to launch the STILab project, funded by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy. The main goal of this initiative is to support companies and social entities in the social economy in the communities of Euskadi and Catalonia in their digital transformation process. One of the main objectives is to reduce the digital divide between rural and urban environments, ensuring that all organizations have access to the necessary technological tools for their development.
The STILab project, which started a year ago and is expected to conclude in June 2025, focuses on conducting awareness sessions and providing personalized advice to the organizations that are part of the social economy. Through these activities, the aim is to improve the digital skills of the entities, covering vital areas such as process automation, digital marketing, and the use of tools that optimize the efficiency and impact of their projects. Positive feedback has been received from the entities by the GAIA Cluster, highlighting a special interest in the inclusion of women and rural organizations in the process.
Additionally, the GAIA Cluster collaborates with associated companies and partners with local development agencies, universities in the region, and the Basque Network of Social Economy to strengthen their work. Despite their crucial role in settling populations in municipalities, small and medium-sized social economy companies face various barriers to accessing technologies and acquiring the necessary knowledge. This project aims to eliminate these obstacles, ranging from lack of commercial vision to lack of specialized resources, thus contributing to closing the existing digital gap.
With this in mind, the project includes the creation of an Innovative Technological Solutions Laboratory dedicated to the social economy. This laboratory aims to promote the adoption of digital technologies while preserving business models that encourage innovation, both in rural and urban areas. This comprehensive approach seeks to create a favorable environment for social economy organizations to move towards a more digital and equitable future.
via: MiMub in Spanish
