Within the project "EGOV4U", the City of Rijeka plans to adopt the strategic e-inclusion document of the City of Rijeka; improve the utilisation of information and communication technologies (ICT) aiming to increase the efficiency of the Department of Health and Social Welfare and intermediary structures in offering social security; improve access to the internet and e-services of the City of Rijeka, on the basis of best EU practices (extending the free wireless internet zone, establishing a pilot relating to PC leasing services, establishing digital centres in the territories of the local boards and associations); enable personalised and adjusted multi-channel e-service for disadvantaged groups; organise basic and advanced IT courses for the targeted groups; carry out campaigns intended to raise the citizens' awareness about the advantages of the internet and ICT, as well as the rights to e-inclusion and prevent digital exclusion.

The head of the IT Institute, Vanja Smokvina pointed out that the city ICT development strategy had given rise to co-operation on the project. He reminded that since 2001 the City of Rijeka had been participating in projects financed by the EU, like for instance E-MuniS, GERiT and a couple of minor projects, to become a partner included in the project EGOV4U.
"Research has shown that about 30% of European citizens do not use ICT due to high prices or for other reasons, and that is why this project is supported under the motto "An Information Society for All", as its objective is to have fully operative existing and new ICT solutions, serving to include the targeted citizens groups – socially disadvantaged citizens, said head Smokvina, while the head of the City Department of Health and Social Welfare pointed out that unfortunately, central government services were lagging behind city administration, when referring to the utilisation of ICT in the provision of assistance to socially disadvantaged citizens.
Rijeka mayor Vojko Obersnel emphasised that the project EGOV4U fitted into the three segments making Rijeka distinctive. First of all, the project relates to the continuation of investments initiated by the city government in the development of IT – the City of Rijeka considers it its obligation in daily operation, and the funds invested so far have resulted in the development of two-way communication with citizens.
"The project particularly focuses on our fellow citizens who are in some way socially excluded from the possibility to use IT achievements due to their social, health or another status, while our success in obtaining this project, also proves that we are qualified to use EU funds," said mayor Obersnel, adding that he was confident that participation in that project would contribute to additional transparency and openness of that city government.
The presentation of the project was also attended by Mr. Leslie Budd and Mr. Ivan Horrocks, lecturers from the Open University UK, as the Open University also takes part in the project EGOV4U. They pointed out the importance of this project in the way in which the multi-channels of ITC matched the multi-channels of ICT service users, i.e. citizens, different groups, old people, disadvantaged. This is an important project for combating social exclusion in the whole population. It is also a comparative project with city partners in other countries that enables learning from the best practice there, but also for other partners, learning from the best practice from here, as Rijeka has a lot to offer its European partners.
The project was presented by Tatjana Perše, project manager, who emphasised that through various activities, it is envisaged that the project will include about 6500 socially excluded citizens and by using the possibilities offered by the internet and PC, enable them socialisation and improve their quality of life.

The project EGOV4U is co-financed by the European Union within the ICT Policy Support Programme. The value of this project, at Rijeka level, amounts to EUR 537,450.00, out of which EUR 268,725.00 is provided by the European Union, while the remaining amount is provided by the City of Rijeka. The project began in September 2010, and will last by September 2013.

The organisation responsible for the project EGOV4U is Milton Keynes UK, while other participants in the project are city governments, institutions and universities from Dublin, Malta and Reykjavik.
(S.R.)