Digitalization Requires Access: "ProbierLaden" Presented at Regional Conference in Gera

vhs Director Dr. Angela Anding shows how basic digital literacy can strengthen social participation

The more everyday life, communication, and public services become digital, the more important one question becomes: What happens to the people who need support in this process?

This was also the focus of a regional conference held on September 9 in Gera, which addressed, in particular, accessible communication and social participation. Dr. Angela Anding, director of the Jena Adult Education Center, presented the “ProbierLaden” there: an initiative of the Jena Smart City Project that provides low-threshold support to help people navigate digital devices, applications, and related issues.

The discussions at the conference made it clear that basic digital literacy goes far beyond the question of whether someone can operate a smartphone or a computer. Those who cannot navigate the internet confidently, have difficulty using digital applications, or cannot assess risks—such as those related to data protection—increasingly encounter barriers in their daily lives.

Particular attention must be paid to people whose access to digital services is further complicated by physical, mental, or sensory limitations. For Angela Anding, therefore, the two go hand in hand: driving digitalization forward while simultaneously ensuring that support services are built in from the start.

“It’s not acceptable for more and more areas of life to be digitized with no alternatives, without also considering the necessary support measures,” she emphasized in Gera.

An “Analog” Space for Digital Questions

This is exactly where the “ProbierLaden” at the Jena Adult Education Center comes in. It serves as a space for learning and hands-on experience in basic digital literacy. People can drop by without an appointment, ask their own questions, try out devices and applications for themselves, and take advantage of free counseling or educational programs. The accessible and centrally located space is intentionally designed to be low-threshold and to break down barriers to digital topics. 

It’s not just about solving technical problems. What matters most are reliable points of contact, advice given on an equal footing, and the opportunity to return with the same question multiple times. It is precisely this approach that builds trust and enables people to develop digital skills at their own pace. 

The ProbierLaden is complemented by the ProbierMobil. As an outreach program, it brings basic digital education to where people live, thereby reaching target groups who might not readily use a stationary service. 

Great Interest in the Jena Approach

It was precisely this practical approach that sparked great interest among the participants at the regional conference. The presentation was followed by numerous questions and discussions. According to Angela Anding, it became clear that comparable low-threshold services are also generating interest in other municipalities and regions.

At the same time, the exchange with staff from municipalities and supporting organizations showed just how similar many of the challenges are: Digital services should be accessible to as many people as possible, yet support needs vary greatly. This makes local structures that combine personalized assistance, education, and digital participation all the more important.

The fact that the concept has been well-received in Jena is also evident from the usage figures to date. Since September 2024, 5,150 people have received support through one-on-one consultations at the ProbierLaden; 1,413 people participated in educational programs. The ProbierMobil reached an additional 740 participants. 

Digital Inclusion as Part of the Smart City

The ProbierLaden is part of the City of Jena’s Smart City strategy and is funded as part of the Smart Cities pilot project. In addition to its low-threshold approach and professional media education support, its success factors include, in particular, reliable opening hours, needs-based offerings, and close collaboration with local and regional partners. 

The presentation in Gera thus also demonstrates that the lessons learned from the Smart City project are relevant beyond Jena. The ProbierLaden views basic digital literacy not as an additional offering related to digitalization, but as one of its prerequisites: After all, digital urban development can only strengthen social participation if people not only have access to digital services—but also the ability to use them independently, securely, and with confidence.