Subscribers may be interested in the CONNECT project ( EU Lifelong Learning, KA3 ICT - Multilateral projects) aimed to establish Web 2.0-based virtual communities and social learning to strengthen competences of people at risk of exclusion.

The aim was to develop and test a learning model of e-Skills for lifelong learning using ICT-based social networking tools and platforms. It targeted people at risk of exclusion: women (25-45 years old), senior learners (over 50 years old) and migrants. The target groups came from the partner countries represented by the majority of the partners:  Germany, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic.

It was an experimental project, in as much as it tried to identify and even assess informal learning  outcomes, involving ‘digital immigrants’, or participants with little knowledge or confidence in the use of Web 2.0 tools, across local and transnational virtual communities.  It also sought to create a community of practitioners with the local tutors involved, and define early principles of best practice. 

The Municipality of Milan, Community di Milano, seeking to define itself as a “Smart City”, was actively involved as a partner and supported the final dissemination conference in Milan in November 2012. Two videos, Connect A and Connect B summarise the objectives and the work achieved under that project.