Be Connected - Building Digital Skills

Be Connected is an Australian government initiative committed to increasing the confidence, skills and online safety of older Australians. Be Connected aims to empower everyone to use the internet and everyday technology to thrive in our digital world. Good Things Foundation manages the Be Connected Grants program. To help organisations deliver their Be Connected digital literacy program, Good Things Foundation is inviting eligible partners in the Be Connected Network to apply for a Building Digital Skills grant.

The aim of the Building Digital Skills grants program is to enable organisations to support older Australians 50+ through free face-to-face contact, either one-on-one or in small groups, to develop their digital skills and confidence, utilising the learning courses available on the ​Be Connected Learning site​.

The grant is available to new and existing organisations in the Be Connected Network, with six contract sizes available to apply for, depending on how many people you are willing to support and whether you have supported learners with a previous Be Connected grant before.

The funding can be spent on activities that support older Australians to gain basic digital skills and confidence such as:

• New devices including computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones
• Upgrading software for devices
• Broadband fees
• Digital mentor expenses, including training to be a digital mentor
• Printing of learning materials for older Australian learners
• Police checks for all staff and mentors involved in delivering the Be Connected

The funding cannot be used on building materials and capital works.