e-Communities Project

The e-Communities project was established to explore the potential of information and communications technology (ICT) to help develop community groups in the Highlands and Islands.  Research was undertaken in the pilot area of Skye and Raasay - read the full study report or summary version by clicking on the link in the green panel.

The study showed that our community groups are skilled in ICT with a good level of confidence.  It also highlighted a number of opportunities for groups to take advantage of free and low cost resources available on the worldwide web.  You can view a summary of the main results in a powerpoint presentation by clicking on the link on the right.

An event was then planned which aimed to introduce community groups to a range of ICT solutions for improved communication, collaborative working and cost and resource saving.   Hands-on workshops included:

• create a website for free
• customise your website with free tools and resources
• generating an income via the web
• world of wikis
• genius blogging
• distance is no barrier for a group*
• e-Distribution for news circulation*
• funding ICT projects
• video conferencing
• digital archiving
• online security

You can view presentations and information from a number of these workshops via the links in the green panel on the right.  There is also a link to the create a website for free trial site, in the orange panel, top right of this page.

*To access ongoing support for these workshops visit Skye and Lochalsh Learning Centre Network e-day pages

 You can also view a presentation from John Watt, HIE's director of strengthening communities, entitled e-Communities doing IT for themselves in the green panel on the right.

A supportive blog has also been set up to help participants continue their learning and development.  Visit e-blether and leave your comments!