Assessing the Digital Divide

Access to the internet, digital skills and devices is necessary for communities to thrive in today’s world. As governments and financial institutions deliver more services online and technological innovation creates opportunities to connect people to goods, services and each other in new ways, communities across the globe are finding internet connectivity to be a requisite for full participation in society. The global COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that internet connectivity is no longer a luxury, but instead a cornerstone of resilient communities. Likewise, increasing connectivity can introduce new vulnerabilities and burdens to marginalised groups that should be carefully considered when developing solutions to bridge the digital divide. Given the urgency of the issue, this playbook is intended to provide a pragmatic, agile approach to assessing the digital divide and will equip readers with crucial information they can use to establish a culture of digital inclusion within their organizations and communities.