Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, municipalities around the world have experienced a strong push towards digitalisation. Not only have existing services been digitised, but new tools have also been invented to meet various crisis-related needs. The aim of this cluster is to support municipal experts in these digitalisation processes and to find demand-oriented digital solutions for municipalities and their citizens. The more digitised public services become, the more important the topic of the digital divide and digital literacy are. The goal is to also include vulnerable groups in digitalisation processes and support them as needed. Strongly affected by digitalisation are also the educational sector, which faces new challenges since schools shut down and classrooms went virtual, as well as the communication sector.

The pandemic has opened new avenues and means of communication, with crisis management, technology and mass media now being central issues. How to communicate the health implications of COVID-19 for the population, combat fake news, connect and unite citizens in times of crisis, and provide timely and transparent information about imposed measures and restrictions continues to be a challenge for many municipal administrations.

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Photo (above): metamorworks | istock