During the 2024 GTIPA Summit, held from November 15-17 in New Delhi, India, the new report “GTIPA Perspectives: The Vital Importance of Digital Inclusivity for Economic Growth” was launched. The report highlights how information and communications technology (ICT) drives global economic growth and creates new opportunities. It explores how nations are deploying digital infrastructure, enhancing digital skills and literacy, empowering women and people with disabilities, and supporting SMEs in adopting transformative digital technologies like AI, IoT, cloud computing, robotics, big data, and more.

This is crucial as the digital economy now accounts for nearly 25% of global GDP. Furthermore, 75% of the value added by data flows on the Internet benefits traditional industries, underscoring the importance of digitalization across all sectors.

ITALY’S INCLUSIVE DIGITAL SOCIETY

At Competere, in collaboration with iCom, Institute for Competitiveness, we contributed by analyzing Italy’s innovative approach to fostering digital inclusion, exploring the following case studies:

• The Digital Republic Fund 
• Newly Connected 
• Lanciano’s Digitization Initiative

Italy’s initiatives demonstrate the transformative power of digital inclusion to empower communities, boost economic opportunities, and tackle social and environmental challenges. These programs, which focus on enhancing digital skills, promoting safe internet use, and improving public service accessibility, are a model for bridging the digital divide in practical and impactful ways.

<<< Download the full report here >>>

LANCIANO’S DIGITISATION INITIATIVE: ACCESSIBILITY MEETS SUSTAINABILITY 

The municipality of Lanciano in central Italy has implemented an online platform for managing public documents and administrative procedures, making government services more accessible and sustainable. This platform enables citizens to submit requests at any time, overcoming traditional barriers like office hours, travel requirements, and limited accessibility for workers or the elderly.

Since its launch, the platform has achieved significant milestones:

• Time savings, with 50% of requests submitted outside office hours.
• Enhanced transparency through real-time tracking of administrative processes.
• Reduced environmental impact, saving 8,930 km of travel and preventing over 1,071 kg of CO2 emissions.

This digital innovation reflects how technology can improve civic participation while addressing environmental concerns in medium-sized towns like Lanciano.

The Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA) is a global network of independent think tanks that are ardent supporters of greater global trade liberalization and integration. It aims to promote a positive understanding of trade, globalization and innovation for the benefit of the entire world. Competere is a member and founding partner of GTIPA.