The Digitukiteko recognition is presented annually for customer-focused and impactful development in digital support and digital skills. The recipient of the award is selected by a panel appointed by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The theme of the 2026 recognition was trust.
Under the Omankielinen Digikaveri scheme, older people who have moved to Finland receive digital support in their own language. The grounds for the award particularly emphasised how the scheme, in addition to enhancing digital skills, strengthens participants’ ability to navigate the digital society independently and with confidence.
The 2026 Digitukiteko recognition sought initiatives that strengthen people’s confidence in their own digital skills, public services and society at large. Omankielinen Digikaveri met these criteria by supporting the participants’ everyday digital skills in their own language by building on their individual starting points.
Digital skills, peer support and inclusion
Omankielinen Digikaveri is a digital skills course for older immigrants. The approach combines the learning of new digital skills, peer support and the development of administrative literacy.
During the course, the City’s digital instructors were in charge of the teaching, and between sessions the participants practised what they had learnt with volunteer ‘digital buddies’ who spoke the same language. The content of the course was structured around the participants’ needs. The themes focused on digital services that make everyday life easier, as well as the participants’ own areas of interest.
In its justification for the recognition, the jury highlighted the importance of being able to learn new skills and get to grips with the service system in the participants’ own language, in particular. In addition to this, the participant-centred and practical approach to implementing the operating model also received praise.
From a pilot project towards wider use
A pilot project carried out in spring 2026 found that the opportunity to use one’s own language lowers the barrier to participation and supports learning. Group-based activities and peer support strengthened the participants’ sense of inclusion and helped create new social networks. The participants got to know one another, were able to share their experiences and encouraged one another in learning.
During the pilot, it also became clear just how important it is to take into account the participants’ different backgrounds, digital skills and life circumstances when providing the service.
The implementation of the Omankielinen Digikaveri model is currently being extended to other services as well. An organiser’s guide has been drawn up to support the operating model; it provides assistance with organising courses and taking participants’ needs into account.
“Interaction builds trust, both in fellow course participants and in the subject matter at hand. When people receive support in their own language and have the opportunity to ask questions and practise at their own pace, their understanding grows and the barrier to using digital services is lowered. At the same time, it reinforces the feeling that I, too, am capable and can cope. Those who took part in the pilot put the skills they had learnt into practice straight away." Marja Säikkä, City of Helsinki.
Further information
Marja Säikkä, specialist in the participation of elderly residents,
Participation Unit, City Executive Office, tel. +358 50 348 1315,
marja.saikka@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program).