Across European companies, women hold only 22% of technology roles. Furthermore, 41% of men and only 19% of women agreed in the annual State of European Tech survey that the European tech ecosystem is fair to people from all demographics, backgrounds and experiences.

One way to improve statistics like these is through digital equity initiatives, which can help open doors to education and highly skilled jobs for Europe’s historically underrepresented communities. As noted by Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Director, HP Foundation:

‘Everyone deserves an opportunity to access the tools needed to thrive in the digital economy. We know technology can be a great equalizer and a powerful tool to drive progress. Yet, to truly narrow the digital divide in our rapidly evolving world, we must also equip individuals with the skills to use technology.’

As part of HP’s goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030, its Sustainable Impact teams work with the HP Foundation, various business units, non-governmental organisation partners and country teams in Europe and elsewhere to prioritise initiatives that support those most likely to experience the digital divide: women and girls, people with disabilities, historically disconnected and marginalised groups, and educators and healthcare practitioners. To help these communities in Europe, HP works through two flagship programmes: HP LIFE and the Digital Equity Accelerator.

HP LIFE

HP LIFE is a free global business skills training programme for students, entrepreneurs and lifelong learners. It offers 30 courses in eight languages along with certificates of completion for each module. Courses are designed to help participants upskill their competencies and enter the workforce with the knowledge today’s employers need. Modules are available both online and off platform through partners like JA Europe, which has integrated HP LIFE’s content into its own programming and translated courses into local languages for learners in Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary and Romania.

HP LIFE is also offered through YMCA locations in Albania, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia. The joint initiative, called the Digital Educational Hubs project, aims to create digital equity in the Western Balkans by working with young people aged 13 to 25 – especially those from marginalised  and vulnerable backgrounds – schools, employment centres, businesses, youth workers and teachers. These hubs are an especially valuable resource for those who reside in remote areas and may have limited access to academic resources. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide for 25,000 people annually in the Western Balkans.  

Going forward, the HP Foundation will expand the HP LIFE course offerings with a new module on artificial intelligence skills, improving access for those with limited bandwidth by offering course content offline and strengthening its partnerships to reach its goal of enrolling 2.75 million users by 2030.

Digital Equity Accelerator

Since 2022, the Digital Equity Accelerator has provided capacity-building grants, technology and a six-month intensive initiative to assist nonprofits that support digitally marginalised communities in scaling up. The programme includes hands-on training, mentoring, technical consultation and opportunities for increased visibility.

In 2023, 17 nonprofits participated in the initiative; since the beginning of 2024, the Digital Equity Accelerator has supported an additional ten organisations, including four in Poland:

• Fundacja 2do2 (2do2 Foundation) develops information technology (IT) solutions for grassroots Polish non-governmental organisations. It offers cost-effective tools designed for users with limited digital skills and provides comprehensive support, including help-desk assistance, financial management training and tailored mentorship programmes. With support from the Digital Equity Accelerator, 2do2 aims to enhance its communication strategy, expand its reach and prepare a new, tailor-made IT solution for rural grassroots organisations.

• Institute for Discourse and Dialogue (INDID) provides media literacy training and educational tools to empower youth and educators across Poland and improve their digital skills. Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, INDID aims to scale a comprehensive digital education programme by training educators based in rural areas and equipping them with a teaching app, curriculum, equipment and mentorship.

• OpenStax Poland publishes open access, peer-reviewed academic textbooks to lower the education costs for students, removing barriers and increasing access to reliable sources of knowledge on the internet. Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, OpenStax aims to publish and promote a free university textbook on nursing, with special emphasis on empowering female students.

• Fundacja Rozwoju Społeczeństwa Wiedzy (Think! Knowledge Society Foundation) fosters 21st-century competencies in young people and adults and contributes to the development of the knowledge-based society and economy. Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, Think! aims to strengthen the communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking skills of high school educators and students in smaller municipalities, providing digital skills education, lifelong learning and consulting.

In 2025, the Digital Equity Accelerator programme will support a new cohort of nonprofit organisations in Greece and Spain, as well as Indonesia and Nigeria.

Through initiatives like HP LIFE and the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP has helped more than 45 million people since 2021, bringing the company nearly a third of the way to its goal of reaching 150 million people by 2030. Closing the digital divide will take trillions of investment, and no one company can solve it alone. However, with enough collaboration, companies, governments, nonprofit organisations and others can work through this issue together.