e-Inclusion Awards 2012 are now open for entries. This year’s the awards are intended for individuals as well as organisations, business and civil society sectors, working at the local level, rewarding those championing the way forward and exploiting the potential of technology in dealing with today’s challenges.

The European Commission has opened to submissions the 2012 e-Inclusion Awards. The e-Inclusion Awards discover and celebrate the most innovative ways of plugging the digital gap and helping people to enjoy the benefits of the internet. According to a survey results published by the Commission, almost a quarter of Europeans aged 16 and over have never used the Internet. In January 2010, the Commission held a conference on e-inclusion.

The two categories in the competition will require entrants to submit written and audiovisual material as part of their entry. “I am Part of IT” award is the category for individuals who have felt significant benefit and empowerment by becoming e-included. Of particular (although not exclusive) interest are stories around employability, re-skilling, and improvement in life situations. The second category, “Be Part of IT – Digital Inclusion Champions” award is for organisations (or individuals outside of organisations) who champion e-inclusion by undertaking and supporting relevant projects.

The submission can be made until 4th May 2012. Then, twelve finalists in each category will be invited to present their project at the Digital Agenda Assembly Conference in Brussels, Belgium to take place on 21st and 22nd June 2012 as part of the “e-Inclusion: Be Part of IT 2.0” campaign. The overall winners will be announced at the conference.