06 Digital Inclusion Wales: 2008 Conference Report
Alun Burge
Project Manager Communities @One
To view the presentation from this session, click here
Alun Burge, Project Manager approach adopted by Communities Here are some of the key points
of Communities @One delivered @One approach has worked. from this part of the presentation:
a two-part presentation that (http://www.epractice.eu/cases/
looked back on the progress communitiesatone)
• The focus of the initiative will
and achievements of the
remain with community and
initiative so far, while looking After showing examples of the
local voluntary groups.
forward to potential diverse range of projects that have • Through use of Convergence
developments. been funded by Communities funding (former Objective One
@One, Alun explained how the areas), the next phase of
Alun started off by saying that the initiative has recently received Communities @One will seek to
high level of demand for the recognition at a European level marry the social justice agenda
conference (170 attendees, with through publications, websites and with economic focus of the
many more showing an interest) events but pointed out that we all ‘Lisbon agenda’.
showed that it was the right time have much to learn beyond our (http://europa.eu/scadplus/glos
to hold the event. He went on to boundaries through the mutual sary/lisbon_strategy_en.htm)
thank those who had helped with sharing of ideas and ‘best
the initiative, including members practice’. The initiative’s own
• The next phase of the project
of the Advisory Group and Chris website –
will provide a ‘tailored package
Gittins of the Communities www.communitiesatone.org – was
of support’ to groups and
Directorate and Welsh European launched by the Deputy Minister
individuals, rather than being
Funding Office (WEFO) staff. last December, and was
primarily a grant fund.
highlighted as ‘an excellent • The initiative will work from
The audience was provided with resource that is worth using’. a ‘long term development
details of the background of approach’ and will continue
Communities @One, and was told From here, Alun began to outline to start from ‘where people
how the initiative had reached the aims and ideas as they related are at’, which has been the
more than 200 projects since it to the proposed second phase of foundation for community
was launched in January 2006. An Communities @One, which was at engagement successfully
independent evaluation, conducted the planning stage at the time of employed in the first phase
by Old Bell 3, shows that the the conference. of Communities @One.