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Connected Communities

What is a Connected Community, is it right for us?

In generic terms a Connected Community is one that involves a number of integrated ICT initiatives, focused on a geographic location. Connected Communities are not simply restricted to the UK, they are very much a global phenomenon in an effort to provide an online presence for communities and take advantage of the tools and benefits this provides.

An online presence takes the form of a website or portal with dynamic community specific tools, information and resources. Online forums, chat and other interactive tools are usually employed to create a community impression and involvement.

Within all these connected communities there are common features. However, one Connected Community can differ dramatically in its implementation to another. Connected Communities like the communities they represent, can differ dramatically from each other.

We have worked with parties considering such projects to match their ambitions to the options available, using the experience gained from various schemes.  The work involved an assessment of local needs and of current community capacity to provide advice to the parties on the approaches most likely to deliver successfully to their community.

Where will the money come from to fund it?

There is a range of funding sources available to pilot and support electronic networks, and successful networks have potential to generate income in the longer term.

Clicks and Links can provide advice on these sources of funding (Central and Local Government, EU etc).  Each source has its own criteria for award, and associated conditions and requirements.  Clicks and Links can advise on how to match these criteria to your local needs, and can provide practical assistance with both the bidding processes and with subsequent reporting back to the funding providers.

What is the Vision that we're selling?

Sometimes in order to gain the interest and enthusiasm of the community, local businesses and service providers, it is necessary to generate a vision of the future possibilities.

Clicks and Links can assist with the creation of a coherent and comprehensive vision of the future of Information and Communications Technologies in the community, including the particular contribution of electronic networks.  Clicks and Links can help you establish a credible vision for a future that meets the long term needs of all parties, and an outline of the means by which this could be delivered and sustained.  An important element of the Clicks and Links vision is empowering the community by placing use and control of the technology in their hands.

What technology do we need?

There is a range of technologies that can be used to establish electronic networks and deliver ICT into communities.  Clicks and Links can provide specialist technical consultancy on the merits and costs of each to establish the correct combination for your communities needs.

We also provide detailed advice on the technology options and associated costs, to establish which are appropriate to meet your needs.  This will include advice on: ISP provision, community intranets and networks, SMS, web services, hardware options (New PC's, recycled PC's, digital TV's/set top boxes, network computers, etc).  Clicks and Links can help you establish a viable technology map for your project that will meet both the short term needs and enable future development.

Click here to view a connected community model