The digital gap is still present all over the world as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands. During the corona period, it has become even more clear how important access to the digital world is. Both on social level and to be able to work or learn from home. For this reason, Close the Gap and ING donate laptops to schoolchildren in Belgium and the Netherlands. So they can continue to develop their digital skills and attend education at home.

“We are very grateful for our partnership with ING. Together, with the donated computers and our other joint projects, we can support Belgian and Dutch children and students in their efforts to continue their education online in these challenging times. We hope to inspire other companies to follow in ING’s footsteps and also donate their ICT material,” says Didier Appels, Impact & Strategic Partnerships Director Close the Gap.

"We are proud of our modest contribution to closing the digital divide that still exists all over the world. The donation in the Netherlands and Belgium is only a small step, as the need for equipment remains high and many schools, projects and students are looking for access to quality ICT material. We hope that more and more companies will join this initiative ", says Judith Verhoeven, Sustainability Expert at ING Belgium.

Jeugdeducatiefonds and DigitalForYouth.be
In total 400 laptops will be refurbished and donated. For the donation of the laptops Close the Gap and ING teamed up with Jeugdeducatiefonds in the Netherlands, an organization that helps to increase the development opportunities of children growing up in unfavorable conditions, which will receive 200 of the laptops. The other half will be donated to DigitalForYouth.be in Belgium, an organization that improves the digital literacy of Belgian youth, no matter what their background is. One of the supported projects, Ave Regina, was able to create a mobile programming class thanks to the laptops. 

Close the Gap and ING
Close the Gap and ING have been looking for sustainable solutions for used IT equipment, with a tangible social impact since 2011. But the digital divide is still present all over the world. Close the Gap and ING therefore will keep looking for other opportunities for the development of digital skills. 

ING believes that everyone should be able to participate digitally. That is why ING has been committed to helping people advance digitally for years. Donating laptops is one way in which ING contributes to this. For the short and long term, the right equipment and skills are a prerequisite for properly organizing digital education.