Author: nimda

71% of respondents had never heard about the Circular Economy. 47.6% declared being able to use some basic features of a computer. Asked if they can find a job online, only 19% declared to be able to access an online job portal without any help.

In the framework of the project “Inclusion and Digital empowerment through circular economy”, five organisations from Malta, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus have created two needed training materials to support ethnic minorities and migrants for their digital empowerment. Based on the responses of the survey collected in Malta, it is evident that the courses are needed.

A media campaign to donate second-hand laptop and digital devices

Started in September 2023, a media campaign  invited stakeholders and individuals to donate second hand laptops still functioning well. Such computers  are donated to all participants at the end of the training. The consortium collected more than 50 computers, from IT companies, Schools, Individuals and many other different profiles of donors.
Across the partner countries, the delivery of the two training courses is ongoing, until October 15th.

• A digital literacy course comprising five modules, that gives focus to the benefit of Digital Circular Economy, as well as all necessary skills to grab the basics of files management, computers components, software knowledge and many more topics.
• An Online Jobs Search training course, comprising seven modules, where learners get knowledge about accessing the Internet and exploring with their newly acquired device jobs opportunities, internet safety, CV making and  various Jobs interview skills.

The direct beneficiaries are ethnic minorities youths  and youths from a migrant background

In Malta,  the training was delivered to a group of 14 youths living in the communities and   in a refugee centre. All received a used, but still working laptop at the end of the 20 hours of training, spread over six  days.
In Italy, 20 youths will receive a Youthpass at the conclusion of the training, which could open for them new possibilities.
In Spain, Portugal and Cyprus, numerous youths from ethnic minorities are being registered to be trained, hoping  to gain  all the benefits stemming from the skills they will build through the workshops.

To expand on the information concerning the philosophy of Circular Economy,  the consortium has interacted not only with the direct learners, but also with the broader audience by producing written content  in six languages about various aspects of the Circular Economy. All available on the social media platforms of the project.

Some examples of  articles produced for the general audience are:

• How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the Circular Economy.
• The Life Cycle of a Laptop Explained to My 10-year-old Friend: From Production to Recycling.
• Exploring the Role of Digital Tools in Supporting the Circular Economy.
• From Renting Furniture to Leasing Lighting: How Companies are Embracing the Circular Economy to Reduce Environmental Impact.
• Entrepreneurship in the Circular Economy: Benefits and Opportunities

They can be found in the News section of the Project website.
Both training modules can be found on the project’s E-Learning platform in six languages, including Arabic.

The beginning of a laptop life is way back before it gets into your hands. It starts off in factories where metals, plastics and glasses are turned into these sleek devices that people use everyday.

A typical laptop might last 3 – 5 years after manufacture, especially if it is used  by a novice owner who utilises it for basic work, such as school assignments, entertainment as well as communication needs.

However, the story does not end when the machine gets slow or becomes obsolete. In a circular economy, the aim is to extend its lifespan as much as possible.

Rather than disposing of, many parts can be repaired, upgraded, or reused instead. For instance, replacing an old battery or adding more memory can give a new life to an old computer.

At the end of its life, recycling is very important when dealing with laptops, because they contain valuable materials such as aluminium, copper and even gold which can be retrieved and reused for new products.

Recycling reduces waste, helps in resource conservation, and also cuts down on pollution from production processes.

In a circular economy, laptops are not only disposable gadgets, they are tools that can be impactful for a  sustainable future if everyone understands the benefit of recycling.

The circular economy has been fundamentally transformed through the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and thus creating sustainability innovations that changed the game in different fields. Such as Agriculture, fashion, Waste management…

The circular economy, which is a model that requires limiting waste and using resources in the most efficient way possible, massively benefits from AI’s capability to do processes and analyse huge databases including future trends prediction. The collaboration of AI and the circular economy is the main driver for new sustainable ways of doing business and the most eco-friendly solutions.

Let’s take a look at some of the major positive effects of AI on the circular economy.

• The sector of waste management and recycling is one area in which innovations are evident.

Smart AI programs empower the sorting and processing of recyclable materials entirely. They make machine learning algorithms capable of pulling off more accurate data analysis than the traditional ones in the sphere of waste sorting and detection. These systems use computer vision to identify accurately and separate the plastics, metals, and other materials, which leads to the remarkable improvement in the recycled products’ quality.

• AI is a key factor in the lifecycle management of the product.

AI predictive analysis helps find possible product malfunctions and also maintenance needs of the product. Using predictive analysis, the life cycle of the product can be extended and it will not be necessary to use new resources. This Maintenance-prediction is a great tool for the manufacturing and electronic sectors in particular, where the longevity of equipment is a key element in the reduction of waste. On top of that, AI helps companies to create the product in a way that it will have a smooth transition at the end of life, hence, recycling and easy disassembly will be possible.

• The fashion industry is another sector where AI is making a significant impact on the circular economy.

AI powered systems examine consumer habits and likings which helps brands to optimise stock levels and avoid overproduction. This method not only diminishes the waste but also enhances the use of environmentally friendly materials. Moreover, AI systems are applied to develop a virtual dressing room, and so, cutting down on returns which are the frequent cause of waste disposal.  Additionally, AI enables companies to design products with end-of-life considerations in mind, facilitating easier disassembly and recycling.

• In agriculture, AI’s role in the circular economy is evident through the optimization of resource use.

AI powered precision agriculture provides automated systems that utilise minimal amounts of water, fertilisers, and pesticides. Thus, such systems help the environment and create less waste. AI instruments can likewise predict crop yields, facilitating farmers to picture and subsequently reduce food wastage.

The challenges accompanying the incorporation of AI in the circular economy are numerous. Issues relating to data privacy, algorithms’ transparency, as well as AI technologies’ environmental impact, need to be addressed. Yet, the advantages that may come from this are definitely the dominant factor.

🌟🖥️ In today’s world, being able to use technology is important for social inclusion, education, and work. Good news is that there are some programs in different countries that understand this and donate used computers to migrants, refugees, and other people in need, either directly, or through circular economy projects. By doing so, not only the digital divide is narrowed,  but also some power is given to those who need  it the most. These digital devices  serve not only as practical instruments but also as hope, communication means, and steps towards better life.

Here are some initiatives that promote repair, refurbish and reuse,  instead of disposal.

United Kingdom:

• Asylum Welcome’s Laptops and Digital Inclusion Project:
  • Asylum Welcome, based in Oxfordshire, runs this project. They have provided over 180 laptops to refugees and asylum seekers, enabling them to process asylum applications, access educational resources, and participate in online courses.
  • Example: Afghan families arriving in hotels in Oxfordshire received devices that became a lifeline to the outside world.
• The Restart Project:
  • Community groups like The Restart Project continue to combat digital exclusion by accepting individual donations of computers. These devices are then refurbished and provided to refugees, school children, and job seekers in need.

Portugal:

• Collaborative platforms for donation:
  • The Solidarity Computer is an initiative of the ‘Os Solidários’ association, which aims to support those who don’t have the opportunity to own a computer through sponsorship. Born out of COVID-19, in which all schools were forced to suspend their face-to-face teaching activities, forcing teachers and students to adapt to distance learning, it was soon realised that not all students had access to the internet or a computer to follow the activities proposed by their teachers. So the Solidarity Computer was born to solve this problem. More information at computadorsolidario.pt.

Cyprus:

• Cyprus Refugee Council:
  • They are supported through the implementation of various projects, funded through local, European and International funders.

Malta:

• Your Device – Your Right:
  • Launched by The Malta Trust Foundation, this project aims to distribute second-hand refurbished laptops and tablets to disadvantaged families.

Spain:

• For social and environmental causes
  • Donalo is a website that allows people to donate and reuse products, especially computer equipment , and to support social and environmental causes.
  • Ordenadores Sin Fronteiras collects and refurbishes donated computers and sends them to public schools and institutes in Spain and other countries. Its mission is to promote the right to education and access to technology for everyone. It also accepts monetary donations and volunteers.

If you have a laptop gathering dust, consider passing it on—it could change someone’s life.

Sources: All sources are linked to in-text.

The third newsletter of the INCLUDE-CE project is now available!

Migration is a global phenomenon that affects many people for various reasons such as job seeking, escaping conflict, pursuing education, or others. However, upon arrival in a new country, many obstacles may arise, especially in terms of social and professional inclusion. Factors such as discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and restrictive migration policies can all contribute to making this inclusion more difficult. The consequences of this social and professional non-inclusion of migrants can be serious, such as mental health issues, financial insecurity, and marginalization.

In order to ensure their well-being and contribution to the community, the integration of migrants into the host country is important. A country that welcomes all its members, regardless of their origin, language, or religion, is beneficial for everyone. Policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the inclusion of migrants in the labor market and in society can improve the living conditions of migrants and strengthen social cohesion.

That is why INCLUDE-CE  (Inclusion and Digital Empowerment through Circular Economy) was established. INCLUDE-CE is a project created by five European partners: African Media Association Malta, Solidaridad Sin Fronteras, Mindshift, CARDET, and Arciragazzi. Its main objective is to reduce the digital divide in technological skills, preparation, and resilience of migrants to promote their collaboration, social and professional inclusion through the philosophy of the circular economic system via reuse, repair, and refurbishment of second-hand digital devices such as computers, mobile phones, and tablets transformed into educational devices and assets.

To achieve this, several activities are undergone. Among them are:

• A digital literacy course, aimed at people from third countries or belonging to ethnic minorities, having little to no knowledge of using computer devices. 
• An Active Job Search Course that will open the opportunity for online vacancies and the possibility for learners to access job offers. 

For the digital literacy course, five modules will be taught to learners. They are:

1. Introduction to circular economy and understanding device value
2. Personal computer basics
3. Software and Windows environment
4. File management and internet basics
5. Email and document creation

For the Course on Active Job Search, seven modules are proposed. They are: 

1. How to define my professional objective.
2. How to create a CV through the computer.
3. How to create a Motivation Letter.
4. How to create a profile on the main online job search platforms.
5. How to conduct a job interview over the phone.
6. How to conduct a job interview via videoconference.
7. How to conduct a personal job interview.

At the end of the project, beneficiaries will gain access to technological devices, digital culture, and more developed knowledge of their skills and competencies. 

INCLUDE-CE is an important initiative to promote the inclusion of migrants in society and strengthen social cohesion.