Digital Literacy in times of COVID-19 in the Eastern Partnership Countries

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital literacy has turned out to be the key to the effective continuation of online education and teleworking, especially, in the Eastern Partnership region where some people lacked essential access to Information Communications Technologies (ICT).

This policy paper, written by the EU-funded Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, examines the prevalence of digital literacy across the EaP region, assessing the good and bad practices of the EaP states on countering the effects of COVID-19, and draws parallels with the world’s best practices. The analysis recommends EaP governments to improve ICT infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote areas and conflict regions, and devote funds to providing laptops and internet donations to the most affected groups. Furthermore, EaP governments should increase people’s digital literacy through trainings and information campaigns. Moreover, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova are advised to establish dedicated ministries of digital transformation.