Collaboration seeks feedback to tailor training and resources for unique community sector needs
1 May, 2026:
The Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) and Future Skills Organisation (FSO) have initiated a new collaboration to elevate the digital capability of not-for-profit organisations and their ability to deliver community digital skills programs.
The initiative focuses on tailoring digital capability training tools for the community and not-for-profit sector, drawing insights from ADIA’s extensive membership and stakeholder network. It recognises the community sector as a vital part of Australia’s social and economic fabric, and digital capability as a fundamental enabler for participation, as well as the increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across society.
David Spriggs, Chair, Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance said: “Elevating digital capability for community organisations offers obvious benefits in productivity, efficiency and delivery. It also bolsters their ability to improve digital inclusion for the millions of Australians who struggle to engage effectively in the digital world.”
“Working with the FSO, we want to ensure digital capability tools are sympathetic to the unique needs of community organisations and the people they serve. This is particularly important as AI changes the shape of what it means to be digitally capable and as people are increasingly dependent on digital tools to participate in work, learning and life.”
Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, CEO, Future Skills Organisation said: “Sector-specific insights are crucial to create digital training tools and resources that benefit those that need them. This is particularly the case in the not-for-profit sector, where we know there are a range of unique challenges to digital uptake. It’s also vitally important when we think about the role of not-for-profit organisations delivering digital skills in the community.”
“We’re delighted to be working with the ADIA and its membership to help tailor digital capability tools for the specific benefit of community organisations. I’m also hoping that ADIA members can be among some of the first organisations to trial these initiatives and make them a reality.”
In collaboration with FSO, ADIA will be conducting a series of engagements seeking feedback on specific FSO approaches. The first of these will focus on uplifting digital capability and the lived experience for community organisations managing digital technologies and program delivery. This first engagement will launch with an ADIA Meetup Webinar featuring key digital inclusion stakeholders – Building Digital Capacity for the Community Sector – on Monday 18 May. Registration is open to the public here.
This collaboration builds on an ongoing partnership between ADIA and FSO, largely focused on ensuring digital skills policies and programs consider the needs of people at the most basic levels of digital capability.
Media Contact
Tim Marshall, Co-Convenor, Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance
tmarshall@digitalinclusion.org.au
About the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance
The Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) is a shared initiative with over 500 not-for-profits, businesses, academic and community organisations, and government agencies working together to accelerate action on digital inclusion. Our member organisations conduct a variety of research and practical programs aimed at reducing the digital divide and enabling greater social and economic participation for all Australians. Supported by Infoxchange, Telstra and Google, we work to enable collaboration and advocacy on key priorities for those organisations who work daily to advance progress on digital inclusion. Our work is guided by a governance and strategy committee – including representation from Infoxchange, Telstra, Google, Swinburne University of Technology, Good Things Australia, The Smith Family, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Alannah & Madeline Foundation, The Inclusive Design Collective and Education Services Australia.