Digital Communities- Empowering People to Engage with Technology (EP2EIT). Lot 1- Development of Digital Mapping Tool

Description

This project focuses on developing a digital mapping tool that will help rural communities better understand and showcase local assets, services, and opportunities across the PEACE PLUS intervention area. The mapping platform will bring together publicly available information and project data to create a searchable, easy-to-use online resource for communities, stakeholders, and policymakers. Rural communities often face challenges in accessing digital services and infrastructure, while also having lower levels of digital confidence and participation. At the same time, increasing amounts of data are being collected across sectors, but this information is often fragmented and not used effectively for local planning or service delivery. The project addresses this gap by creating a consistent system for gathering, managing, and presenting anonymised community data through an interactive digital map and database. The mapping tool will support better local decision-making, improve visibility of community assets and needs, and provide an evidence base for future policy development. It will also help communities engage more actively with digital technologies by making information accessible and easy to use. The project is intended as a pilot initiative, with the digital mapping platform, data systems, and policy tools designed so they can be expanded and scaled across a wider region in the future.