IDEA Project in Ukraine

The Information Dissemination and Equal Access (IDEA) Project is the result of a partnership between PH International and the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program.  IDEA creates and supports community-based Internet centers which provide residents with free technology training and access to computers. These aptly named IDEA Centers increase the quality of education and the level of social and cultural development in the communities where they operate.  IDEA also works to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged groups by supplying specialized computer software and training aimed at expanding their educational, employment, and community-building opportunities. 

IDEA Center Basics

IDEA Centers provide computer classes and community-oriented trainings to the public free of chargein 7 IDEA centers.  The classes range from computer basics to job-specific software and beyond, and every IDEA Center receives Microsoft Unlimited Potential teaching materials and the Microsoft Encyclopedia Encarta to use in these trainings.  Ultimately, IDEA Center offerings are as diverse and unique as the communities they serve.

IDEA’s commitment to being relevant and sustainable on a local level is shown through its strategy of using local partnerships.  Each IDEA Center is housed in a local nonprofit organization, and this organization helps to tailor the offerings of the Center to the needs of the community.  As a result of these local connections, IDEA Centers expand access to computer and Internet technology training for underserved populations such as unemployed or underemployed youth, people with disabilities, low-income groups, and senior citizens.

IDEA Centers generate and depend on the active involvement and interest of community members.  Centers are established and supported by PH International staff, but it is the trained local volunteers, center managers and IT specialists who provide many of the day-to-day services: technical support, monitoring open Center hours, advertising local offerings, and teaching computer classes.

Strategies for Success

Building a community-based network of computer centers for a wide array of citizens is a complex task which draws on the successful completion of several strategies.  IDEA works in the following ways, to ensure a successful and vibrant network:

• Developing information technology tools that strengthen social and economic development and which can be adapted for specific regions, systems and available organizational infrastructure.
• Increasing the well-being of local residents, including educational, social, and cultural development. The IDEA Project builds human capital by holding educational events that train public officials, educators and other employees of government-financed organizations on the use ICT in their work.
• Creating an efficient system of computer centers enabling residents to have free, universal access to Internet and computer technology.  Universal access to online resources advances equal access to information, a key component of regional and economic development.
• Increasing the efficiency of governmental, educational and cultural organizations through IT access and well trained community members and volunteers. IDEA Center volunteers and trainees go on to use their skills for the benefit of not just the IDEA Center, but the whole community.
• Developing a technological infrastructure in outlying regions by increasing Internet penetration and impact among the adult population, developing a network of free computer centers.  The impact of a centrally located Center extends beyond the town or city where it is immediately located.

IDEA Centers Offerings

Courses and Events

Each month, IDEA FRESH Center holds at least twenty-six hours of study courses, training events and seminars, including sixteen hours of Microsoft Unlimited Potential computer courses.  Microsoft UP Courses encompass a wide range topics, including “Basic Computer Skills”, “Working with Databases,” “Web Design Fundamentals,” and more.  The remaining ten of these twenty-six training hours are spent on customized classes.  These local seminar topics are determined by partner organizations on the basis of the current needs of each IDEA Center’s users.  Some examples include “Job Searching through the Internet,” “Anti-Virus Protection of Your PC,” “Legal Aid on the Web,” “The Unemployed: Rights and Opportunities,” and “Opportunities for Distance Education.”

IDEA FRESH Centers

IDEA FRESH centers are candidates for full center funding. They receive access to UP training materials, the IDEA website, and network resources in order to begin trainings. These are new centers in the IDEA Network, recently joined the IDEA and work as volunteers, providing 12 hours of Microsoft Unlimited Potential courses and 2 hours of seminars/trainings for free to their local comunity.

IDEA PRIME Centers

IDEA PRIME centers are the second level of engagement, during which the centers receive active funding and develop a maximum capacity for trainings, market the centers aggressively, and are supported to pursue local partnerships that will ensure funding support and sustainability for their center.

IDEA PRO Centers

Internet Community Learning Centers of the “Information dissemination and Equal Access” that proved themselves as the most successful in the direction of reaching the sustainability are eventually getting the status IDEA PRO. This states their professional approach in the realization of the project as volunteer center after some definite financial support period.

Free Internet Success

Free Internet Access

IDEA Educational Centers provide least ten hours per week of free Internet access to the local community.  There is always a staff member on hand to assist users and answer their technical questions and concerns, but this time is open to any and all residents who wish to access the Internet and use any of the Center’s resources.  This time is also often used by IDEA Center course alumni wishing to practice their newly acquired skills or receive expert help and advice.

 

Measuring Success

 

The success of IDEA is reflected in the achievements of center alumni as they develop skills that lead to better jobs and lives for themselves, and as they use these skills to build a stronger, more globally engaged community.  Specifically, IDEA Ukraine will impact lives and communities in the following ways in 2009:

• Over 4000 will receive training at IDEA computer courses and seminars;
• At least 80% of trainees will use their new knowledge and skills to find new employment and/or develop professionally;
• Website will be used by 50% of Center clients to exchange advice and receive consultations from Center coordinators and other program participants as well as a repository of resumes and opportunities.
• 15 total centers are operational: 4 FRESH centers, 8 PRIME centers, and 3 PRO centers.

 

Currently 53581 people have received training at IDEA computer courses and seminars, including 8859 participants of 934 Microsoft Unlimited Potential courses and 9144 participants of 216 Onlandia courses.