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PREFACE
For more than a decade, the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp) has provided a common understanding, across the EU and beyond, of what digital competence is, and therefore provided a basis for framing digital skills policy.
There is already a high awareness of DigComp as the EU-wide framework for developing and measuring digital competence. Going forward, DigComp can also play a central role in achieving our ambitious EU objectives with regard to the digital upskilling of the whole population and in developing a European Digital Skills Certificate. In the Digital Compass for Europe’s digital decade, the EU has set the ambitious policy targets of reaching a minimum of 80% of the population with basic digital skills and having 20 million ICT specialists by 2030. The first of these targets is also taken up by the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan.
Since its adoption, DigComp has provided a scientifically solid and technology-neutral basis for a common understanding of digital skills and framing policy. However, things move fast in the digital sphere and a lot has happened since the framework was last updated in 2017.
More specifically, emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual and Augmented reality, robotisation, the Internet of Things, datafication or new phenomena such as misinformation and disinformation, have led to new and increased digital literacy requirements on the part of the citizen.
There is also an increasing need to address the green and sustainability aspects of interacting with digital technologies. The present update, therefore takes account of the knowledge skills and attitudes needed by citizens in the face of these developments.
Importantly also, the DigComp 2.2 update process has involved consulting a very broad number of stakeholders, including through the dedicated Community of Practice that was set up for this purpose. In addition, there was an open validation process both on-line and through interactive workshops with major international players such as ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank.
This broad stakeholder involvement and buy-in is vital to achieving the continued recognition and success of the Digital Competence Framework. With this update, our aim is to keep DigComp relevant for learning, working and participating in society, as well as for EU policy-making and the European Digital Strategy, including initiatives such as the Skills Agenda, the Digital Education Action Plan, the Digital Decade and Compass, and the Pillar of Social rights and its action plan.
Manuela Geleng Director EMPL B – Jobs and Skills DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion European Commission
Mikel Landabaso Alvarez Director Directorate B – Growth & Innovation Joint Research Centre European Commission
