Community organisations continue to bridge the Leeds digital divide

Leeds Community Foundation and 100% Digital Leeds award nine community organisations across Leeds with grants of up to £10,000 to help tackle inequalities around digital access thanks to money raised from the Leeds Digital Ball 2024.   

Approximately 13-19 million people aged 16+ in the UK are digitally excluded due to lack of access, devices, skills or connectivity. With 3.7 million households with children who don’t meet the Minimum Digital Living Standard, the digital divide is vast.  

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund was established in 2022 in partnership with Leeds Community Foundation, 100% Digital Leeds and Leeds Digital Ball to bring together the private, public and third sector with a collective ambition of supporting communities and individuals to have the skills, support and equipment they need to be active online now and in the future.  

This year’s Fund was also part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, meaning nine funded projects will be able to deliver interventions to get people online. The Fund supports a wide range of communities across the city, from weekly digital support workshops to help those in addiction recovery acquire critical digital skills to a pilot digital inclusion outreach program for individuals 60+ access to digital support in their homes.  

Thanks to the latest round of funding, a total of 24 grants to 20 Community Organisations have been distributed through the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund over the past three years.  

Eve Maloba, Project Manager at Complete Woman, one of the funded organisations said: “Digital inclusion is far more than just access to technology, it’s about ensuring equality of opportunity to enable everyone to fully participate in our society. Our Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund grant will allow us to continue our digital hub to support and empower refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families in Leeds who are navigating extremely challenging circumstances and are in vital need of digital access and support.” 

Cleveland Henry, Chair of Leeds Community Foundation said: “The demand for funding this year has been greater than ever with Leeds Community Foundation receiving 48 strong applications and calls for support. We are truly grateful for our partnership with 100% Digital Leeds and Leeds Digital Ball who are offering a long-term commitment to raise funds year on year to support Community Organisations who are working with those who face the greatest degree of digital exclusion.” 

Jason Tutin, Head of 100% Digital Leeds, Leeds City Council said: “We want everyone in Leeds to have equal opportunity to use digital tools, technology and services in the right way for them. The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund offers an essential source of funding to enable grassroots organisations to do just this. We are looking forward to continuing to support the funded Community Organisations as well as aid unsuccessful applicants in their ongoing work.” 

Sandra Patel, Co-Chair and Founder of Leeds Digital Ball said: “The increasing demand for funding and support makes the Ball Board determined to raise even more funds next year. The Digital Ball 2025 will be taking place on the 12th June and will have a brand new look and feel. We really hope the tech and digital sector will continue their amazing support and join us for a fun filled evening in aid of this important cause.” 

For any businesses or individuals who are interested in supporting and investing in digital inclusion across Leeds, contact Leeds Community Foundation (www.leedscf.org.uk) to learn more about how you can play your part.