ERDF PROJECTS - STARTING POINT TO IMPROVE ICT SKILLS AND DIGITAL LITERACY - STUDY CASE GROWTH POLE BRASOV.

The programming period 2007-2013 provides a lot of opportunities to build the framework for future intervention in order to address the topics relevant for Europe 2020. The lack of the ICT skills and digital literacy are the main problems faced by different people looking for a job or for a better connection. The local administrative units form Romania are implementing projects financed both by European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in 2007-2013 programming period aiming both the improvement of the local educational infrastructure and quality of the educational process. In 2008, growth poles were established in Romania as cores for urban development in compliance with European and national policies and they include an urban nucleus and its rural surroundings. The ERDF financed project in these units could play an essential role in increasing ICT skills for local people and digital literacy as a premise for a better quality of life. The growth pole Brasov has an important project portfolio that could be a starting point to overcome the lack of digital skills. Brasov growth pole study case will present the main projects which are implemented by the local authorities as members of the association managing the growth pole and the future perspective for eLearning activities as well as e-business and e-Government activities. The real challenge for local public authorities will be how to assure an effective management of the these centers in order to provide relevant content for the consumers taking into account the specific assignments of local public authorities. In addition to educational infrastructure and local objectives in line with EU Digital Agenda, an effective management is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]