Digital for Youth, a non-profit organization that aims to bridge the digital divide among young people, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Since its creation in 2019, the non-profit association has provided 25,000 laptops to schools and youth organizations. Digital for Youth receives donations of computers from companies, which the non-profit refurbishes. The latter then distributes the computers to youth organizations. What is no longer usable is recycled. By giving these computers a second life, the association gives young people the opportunity to acquire digital skills and increase their chances of success. In 2021, 12% of young people did not have a smartphone or access to the internet, according to figures from Statbel, the King Baudouin Foundation, UC Louvain and VUB.
In five years, Digital for Youth has given new life to nearly 25,000 laptops, which are then distributed to schools and youth organizations. Last year, 5,679 laptops were collected, the nonprofit says on its website. Digital for Youth was able to refurbish 2,045 of them and distribute them to 96 organizations. “Every laptop donation impacts an average of 6.5 young people, according to a UCL survey.”“We are delighted to be working with you,” says Hans de Backer, Director of Digital for Youth. “This means we have been able to help tens of thousands of children and young people find their way in the digital world.”
Belga
