The green and digital transition represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape our societies for a more sustainable and equitable future. However, no one must be left behind as we move towards cleaner energy systems and smarter technologies. Without inclusivity at their core, both transitions have the potential to exacerbate inequalities.
For instance, digital advancements can widen the gap between those with access to technology and those without, while the shift to green energy can disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.
Whether it’s ensuring access to digital services, creating green jobs, or fostering sustainable urban spaces, cities can lead the way in demonstrating that sustainability and digitalisation can—and should—be for everyone.
For example, by designing digital public services with inclusivity at their core, local governments can create more responsive, efficient and accessible systems that serve the needs of all residents, ultimately leading to stronger and more cohesive communities.
Implementing digital public services that uphold trust, inclusion, and equality
Espoo’s TrustM initiative is exploring this critical question by reimagining digital public sector services from a migrant perspective. The project focuses on building trust at every step of the digital transformation by examining its public services, spotting gaps and proposing innovative alternatives that prioritise equality and inclusion.
“We’re really happy that a lot of new residents move into the city every year. However, we’re unable to scale the services as quickly as the rate of the growth of this group,” explains Irena Bakić, Project Manager of TrustM.
That’s why rather than creating new services, Espoo is helping people navigate the existing services and requesting feedback. At the moment, the municipality focuses on stay-at-home parents, especially mothers of Arabic, Farsi and Somalic-speaking communities.
Espoo’s efforts are aligned with the EU Digital Decade goal of achieving 100% user-centric and accessible online key public services.
Empowering migrant women with digital skills for everyday life
According to the European Commission, only 55.6% of the EU population has basic digital skills, even though access to high-speed internet and digital literacy are key to enhancing public services and empowering residents.
With this challenge in mind, the city of Rotterdam launched the ‘Teatime’ project, which gathers migrant women over tea to learn how to learn essential digital skills. This includes how to book a medical appointment, communicate with family, use translation apps or manage household tasks, explains Faouzi Achbar, Deputy Mayor for Digital Inclusion at the City of Rotterdam.
Teatime is an example of a local initiative that contributes to the Digital Decade programme target of ensuring that 80% of adults have basic digital skills.
In the offline world, the goal is to maintain vibrant communities and inclusion and diversity, while making cities more sustainable.
Preserving heritage while empowering communities
In this context, the city of Łodz, with its rich 19th-century history, featuring textile factory complexes, Art Nouveau palaces and townhouses, has launched a comprehensive revitalisation programme to preserve its architectural legacy while preventing further degradation.
“Urban regeneration is at the end of the day always about people, including the most marginalised,” says Joanna Brzezinska, Acting Director at the Revitalisation and Housing Office of the City of Lodz. “Along with the infrastructural investments, we introduced new social services, and launched new social functions like training flats for former foster care pupils or people with disabilities, professional activation centres, and local activity support centres.”
Three roles support the process. The mediator supports residents in the revitalisation process and connects them with institutions, the local community organiser adds social engagement to the equation, and the area host represents the city of Lodz by assisting residents, NGOs, businesses, institutions, and investors.
Industrial areas becoming urban gardens
In Turin, the municipality provided public land to schools, associations, gardeners and residents, transforming it into an educational hub, urban farm and collective garden.
Today, Orti Generali combines green spaces, food production, innovation and social inclusion. The garden accommodates a circular economy restaurant accessible to all.
“They also became a centre for outdoor education for schools, for cooperatives and associations who work with people with mental illnesses or other disabilities. The inclusion is all the time there,” explains Laura Ribotta, Project Manager at the Innovation and European Funds Service for the City of Turin.
Bridging skills gaps for an inclusive market of green jobs
Beyond transforming cities into sustainable spaces for all, the green transition enables the job market to be revolutionised to accommodate new skills required for the future. Emerging skills needs in the environmental economy have made upskilling and reskilling efforts essential.
To address the risk of labour market exclusion due to inadequate support, Madrid has established the Green Employment School.
The Green Employment School focuses on vulnerable groups such as women, especially those with family responsibilities and little or no formal training, people over 45 years old, and young people disconnected from the educational system, offering short courses designed to help them reintegrate. This also includes people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues who face barriers to entering the labour market.
The Green Employment School supports Madrid’s alignment with the European Climate Pact, which emphasises the importance of fostering and promoting green employment.
These initiatives show that cities play a pivotal role in ensuring the digital and green transformations are inclusive and equitable. As hubs of innovation, economic activity and cultural diversity, cities are uniquely positioned to address the intersection of social, environmental and technological challenges.
