/Programme: Erasmus+
Digital Bridges
«Digital Bridges: a new HEI approach to digital governments»
Introduction
Digital Bridges: a new HEI approach to digital governments
We are working on the design of new training models in digital governance, adapted to a context in which relations between institutions and citizens are deeply mediated by technology.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with universities and organisations in Europe and the southern Mediterranean, with the aim of integrating skills in digital citizenship, participation and e-democracy into higher education.
Context
The digital transformation of governance and citizen participation is generating new training needs that university systems are not adequately meeting.
There is a lack of interdisciplinary programmes combining technology, politics and society, as well as a disconnect between academic training and the demands of the professional environment.
This situation is particularly relevant in the Southern Mediterranean region, where there are deficits in digital skills, structural limitations within universities and difficulties in securing employment among young graduates.
Our objectives
We focus on modernising university education in this field:
01
To design and implement a master’s degree in digital governance aligned with the labour market
02
Integrating skills in digital citizenship, e-democracy and online participation
03
Promoting new lines of applied research in digital government
04
Enhancing students’ employability in sectors linked to digital transformation
How we are developing it
The project combines analysis, curriculum design, validation and transfer.
We begin with a needs assessment based on comparative studies, a review of the literature and work with key stakeholders. From there, we design the training programme and its content.
We then carried out a pilot phase at participating universities, accompanied by specific training for teaching and technical staff.
Finally, we consolidated the model through living labs and its integration into education systems, ensuring its continuity.
What this work contributes
We are committed to an interdisciplinary approach that integrates governance, technology and digital participation within a single training framework.
The project enables:
- develop a master’s degree model adapted to the digitalisation of public life
- connect the university with the professional world
- create spaces for applied experimentation, such as living labs
- promote new lines of research in digital governance
Secondly, at the societal level, this type of strategy would imply the presence of public actors within the media ecosystem, who would work to strengthen democratic structures and promote social values that ultimately favour coexistence.
Thirdly, public broadcasters would fulfil their public service mission more efficiently, as the implementation of this type of strategy necessarily involves more reflection on the enhancement of individual, social and industrial value along the value chain. Furthermore, it is also argued that the adoption of public value strategies, through the separation of governance and decision-making aspects, would contribute to improving the relationship with the different stakeholders in PSM organisations, thus reinforcing their legitimacy.
What impact are we seeking?
We contribute to the modernisation of higher education and the training of professionals suited to the digital environment.
The project improves students’ digital and civic skills, bridges the gap between the university and the labour market, and strengthens institutions’ capacity to innovate in their training programmes.
Furthermore, it has a specific impact on the Southern Mediterranean region, promoting an educational transformation more in line with current challenges.
Dissemination and transfer
We generate results geared towards both the academic and applied spheres.
These include the development and implementation of the master’s programme, the creation of teaching materials, staff training, and the establishment of collaborative networks between universities and sector stakeholders.
The project facilitates the direct transfer of these results to the participating institutions, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Project timeline (2025 - 2028)
Digital Bridges
The project is carried out in several phases combining analysis, design, implementation and validation.
First Stage
The first stage involves the diagnostic assessment and curriculum design. This is followed by the implementation of pilot programmes and training activities.
Final phases
In the final phases, the results are consolidated, the models developed are validated, and they are integrated on a permanent basis into the participating institutions.
