Description

The aim of the Digital Buddies project was to strengthen the active agency, social inclusion and commitment to a crime-free life of people with criminal backgrounds through peer support. A Digital Buddies pathway was developed for the target group by providing comprehensive support to enhance life management and employability skills. Participants strengthened their digital, workplace and guidance skills, and were offered opportunities to put their newly acquired skills into practice.

Participants were actively involved in developing both the project activities and the Digital Buddies pathway, ensuring that a frequently overlooked population group had the opportunity to make their voices heard on matters affecting them. They were given opportunities to share their personal stories through social media, webinars, podcasts and publications.

Feedback on the activities and their impact was collected from the participants. They reported improvements in their digital skills, which in turn reduced frustration, increased their sense of inclusion, and strengthened their sense of purpose and meaning in life. The role of experts by experience was found to be central to the project’s success.

The project’s partner organisations considered the activities to be valuable and necessary for the target group. The activities were tailored and incorporated into the Fattaluuta training programme run by Stop Huumeille ry, helping to ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes. During the project, an ideal pathway model for Digital Buddies activities was developed and made openly available on the Innokylä platform.