Free Support for Réunion Islanders Facing Digital Illiteracy

In Réunion, more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line, and 17% of residents are unemployed. To address this social reality, the Regional Council presented “Kap Konèk.T,” a new digital support program, on December 3rd at the Villa Morange of the MoCA.

This program replaces the Digital Pass launched in 2020 and aims to bridge the digital divide while offering free support to the most vulnerable members of the community.

Despite the end of state co-financing in January 2024, the Regional Council is maintaining and adapting the program to support every Réunion Islander facing difficulties. Each year, approximately one thousand people will benefit from the program, referred by local organizations specializing in employment, social protection, and administrative support.

“Kap Konèk.T” targets all individuals facing digital illiteracy, with a particular focus on young people without qualifications, the long-term unemployed, seniors, and those with low literacy skills. The program also supports territorial continuity procedures, which are now entirely online.

The support provided covers computer and smartphone skills, online administrative procedures, access to social rights, digital communication, digital identity, and cybersecurity. Two pathways are offered: general support limited to ten hours per year and specialized support for complex administrative procedures.

To facilitate access, the Region is mobilizing a network of organizations throughout the territory, including employment agencies, social services, and certified digital mediation centers. The Standing Committee, meeting in May 2025, approved the launch of the program and selected the organizations responsible for its implementation.

As part of a digital strategy for 2025-2028, “Kap Konèk.T” benefits from a region with extensive fiber optic coverage, a major asset for developing digital services. The regional authority also plans investments in a new submarine cable, cybersecurity, business support, and the implementation of tools related to artificial intelligence and public data.

Through this program, the Region aims to transform digital technology into a driver of empowerment. “Digital technology must become a tool for empowerment, not a source of exclusion,” emphasizes Huguette Bello. With this project, every resident of Réunion will be able to access public services, receive training, and master the essential digital tools needed to build a fairer, more inclusive, and more resilient region.