The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has named the City of Somerville as a 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the city’s efforts to close the digital divide. The NDIA is focused on advancing digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act.

As the pandemic demonstrated, digital inclusion – access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training – is essential to participating and thriving in today’s world. Recognizing the ongoing needs of the community, Somerville didn’t stop digital inclusion efforts at the end of the quarantine.

“Closing the digital divide in Somerville is not just a goal; it is a moral imperative,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “Somerville’s Digital Bridge team is doing innovative work that helps empower our community, creates more equal opportunities, and fosters a future where every resident can thrive in the digital landscape, and I’m so pleased to see their efforts recognized by the NDIA.”

This year, Somerville joins a record number of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, with 47 total awardees representing municipal, county, and regional governments paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US. 

“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands-on deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers exemplify the key role local governments have in building connected communities for all of their residents.”

Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Somerville achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents of their communities through:

Funding digital navigators at the Council on Aging and SomerPromise (one at each).

Digital literacy skills and digital navigator funded by MBI to MassHire MetroNorth to serve Somerville residents at SCC.

Currently working with MAPC to create a Digital Equity Plan for the City of Somerville.

NDIA revised the seven-year-old Trailblazer program this year, identifying seven categories of current best practices. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.