The impact of local ICT initiatives on social capital and quality of life

This paper reviews evidence of the effects of local information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives, or 'community networks', in fostering community social capital through education, job opportunities, encouraging community activities, and increasing general sociability within a local area. The report examines material from a wide range of countries, both inside and outside the European Union, in order to draw a rich picture of the effects of networked community initiatives and to help to ensure more effective application of community ICTs. (2006)