www.2mobility.

eu
E-Bridge to mobility was created after observing the
EU labour market and analysing the needs of Eastern
Europe emigrants (especially those from Bulgaria,
Poland, Romania and Slovakia).
They move from one EU country to another (in
particular the U.K., Germany and Spain) for
educational, financial or social reasons.

Bulletin 12 This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This publication reflects the

January/February 2011 views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be
held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.

The mission of an information The influence of information

and communication technol-

society backed by ICT ogies on society is growing

every year. However, more
than a half of the EU inhab-
itants either do not benefit
As knowledge and innovation are the main drivers of development and
fully from these technologies
sustainable growth, it is therefore necessary to develop an information
or is completely deprived of
society, based on modern technologies. The European Union wants to
them. Improving social, eco-
build this society not only in homes but also in public institutions and the
nomic and territorial cohe-
small and medium-sized business sector.
sion through greater accessi-
It is difficult to imagine a modern economy without information and communication technolo- bility of ICT-related products
gies, as they make up a quarter of the growth in GDP and 40% of E.U. productivity. The develop- and services, also in less well-
ment rate of some Member States of the European Union is strongly determined by their spend- developed regions, is an eco-
ing on Rand D of modern technologies. Thus the EU authorities aim at levelling the chances nomic and social necessity.
of citizens from new members states and those from the original union, in order to increase The i2010 strategy puts par-
competitively, stimulate employment and by extension support the European economy. To ticular emphasis on general
provide coherent development of a digital economy, the EU authorities need to work not only participation as well as equip-
on digital, but also on political convergence, in order to achieve the desired results. ping all citizens with basic
digital skills. These skills are
the source of unlimited op-
The whole policy was devel- portunities for lifelong learn-
oped within the framework of The priorities of the European policy ing and support mobility.
the i2010 strategy, whose pri- concerning development of an ICT have an under-exploited
orities include supporting an information society and the media: potential to improve the
integrated approach to the quality of life. Moreover, a
information society and me- i icreating a uniform European information space large sector of society, mainly
dia in the policy of the Euro- from poorer regions of the
supporting an open and competitive internal market in
pean Union. Europe, which is European Union does not
currently facing a crisis, with the areas of information society and media know what modern technolo-
a rapidly ageing population, i isupporting innovations and research in the field of ICT, gies are and how can they
wants to support develop- aimed at supporting growth and the creation of new be used. Research results in-
ment of a knowledge-based dicate, however, that ICT not
society, mainly through life- and better jobs only contribute to the growth
long learning and the pro- i building an inclusive European information society that of employment and profes-
motion of the use of modern would contribute to development and the creation of sional skills and competence,
technologies in various en- but also may improve health
vironments, as a way to im- new jobs, in accordance with the rules of sustainable of individuals. Lifelong im-
prove the economic situation growth, with a higher quality of public services and life proving and development
as well as the general quality as priorities. of general and professional
of life. skills of individuals supports
social cohesion and therefore improves connected with environment protection and safety, resulting from growing traffic
well-being and the quality of life. The density on the roads. Digital libraries making multimedia resources more accessible
use of modern technologies in educa- and user-friendly will be the subject of the third initiative. It will be based on the rich
tion enables easy and efficient develop- cultural heritage of Europe and will bring technological development as well as new
ment, regardless of people’s age. Taking business models to the fields of multiculturalism and multilingualism.
into account demographic challenges The products of the E-bridge to mobility project are based entirely on modern tech-
that Europe is facing, ICT may help to nologies, therefore they make Europeans more aware of the importance of modern
improve the efficiency of public health technologies, especially for elderly people, who are at greatest risk of digital and
care and social security systems. An im- social exclusion. The products were prepared in such a way, that after creating an
portant role of modern technologies is account on the 2mobility.eu web page each beneficiary is able to use them to learn
supporting cultural diversity in Europe foreign languages and acquire knowledge about every day life and culture of the
through greater access to the cultural EU’s inhabitants.
heritage and works of art for a wider
public. But that is not all: a wide range
of communication tools supports inter- Products of the project:
cultural dialogue and integration into
European society. This in turn has an im- Language course:
portant influence on the mobility of EU Courses of: English, Spanish and German
citizens, and mobility for ageing citizens Mobiles:
of Europe is crucial for the condition of Applications for mobile phones
the community’s economy. (3 language versions: EN, ES, DE)
The important contribution of ICT to Basic Legal Forms:
the improved quality of life is often un- Basic legal information about 3 countries: the UK, Spain and Germany
derestimated and technologies are ac- Screensavers:
cepted only on a limited scale. In order Screensavers for computers (3 language versions: EN, ES, DE)
to make ICT more visible, the EU Com- Pictionary:
mission suggests developing model ICT Language in pictures: English, Spanish German
initiatives in areas of the most impor-
tant social challenges. In the beginning,
these initiatives should be focused on
three priorities: the needs of an ageing
society, safe and ecological transporta-
tion and cultural diversity. Providing
care and assistance for ageing society
will be the subject of the first initiative;
it will include technologies supporting
good living conditions, well-being and
the health of citizens as well as enabling
them to maintain an independent life.
The second initiative will be connected
with smart vehicles, i.e. cars that would
be more innovative, ecological and saf-
er, and it will aim at dealing with issues

Certain products which make up the course can be used with a computer, the Internet and mobile phones. Their
greatest advantage is that they can be used anywhere and at any time. They do not impose any limits and provide
perfect support for every mobile European. The E-bridge 2 mobility project is consistent with the i2010 strategy and,
first of all, it brings the idea of a modern information society to life, providing support for two main social groups,
who are a subject of special concern for the European Commission: the young and the elderly. In the coming years
Europe will invest a lot in education and development of young people, in order to meet the economic challenges
of Europe and keep up with the changes. The elderly are an important issue of contemporary Europe that is facing
a challenge of mobilizing and activating the oldest members of European society.

The „E-bridge” partners: