The INCLUSO homepage

INCLUSO delivered a verifiable proof that ICT, and more precisely, social software tools, can facilitate social inclusion of marginalized young people. INCLUSO made suggestions for future research and development, based on desk research, expert input, pilot projects in four countries (Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Poland), the development of a measurement tool to screen evolution in social inclusion/exclusion and a business and sustainability model for organizations working with ICT in the area of social inclusion.

The pilot projects were initiated in strong, existing organizations with little or no experience in the use of social software, but already working with marginalized youngsters and with a high potential to succeed in successful ICT implementation. Four pilots focused on complementary groups of youngsters.

Social software tools were introduced as an empowering tool for inclusion in general and, more specific, to meet the participating organizations' goals.

Feedback from the pilots enhanced the white-book that presents implementation scenarios for ICT as a tool for social inclusion. Pilot feedback also strengthened the business and sustainability models and the measurement tool that screens social inclusion/exclusion.

The partnership was a strong combination of organizations working with marginalized youngsters supported by academic partners that guaranteed the quality of research and that were strongly connected to these organizations. The consortium was completed by a leading international SME with proven expertise in web-based online collaboration and social software solutions.

In order to be able to provide a timely input to the EU eInclusion research agenda, INCLUSO's duration has been limited to 25 months starting on September 1, 2008. The project was funded by the EU in the 7^th framework programme.

More information on the project and the INCLUSO Conference can be found on the project website: http://www.incluso.org

Project Partners

• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - KUL (Belgium)
• Tonuso VZW - TON (Belgium)
• Netlog NV - NETLOG (Belgium)
• Stichting Dr. Hilda Verwey–Jonker Instituut - VJI (Netherlands)
• Stowarzyszenie U Siemachy - SK (Poland)
• Institute 'integrated study', Vienna University of Technology - TUW (Austria)
• Station House Media Unit - SHMU (UK)