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Tech founder backs the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund

One of the North East’s most successful tech entrepreneurs has backed a campaign to tackle digital poverty through the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

Serial tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, Paul Callaghan CBE, will speak at the launch of the new fund to help people from all backgrounds explore careers in tech.

The North East Tech Charity Dinner, at Wylam Brewery in Newcastle on Thursday 13th March, will see companies and ambassadors from across the North East tech sector come together for a networking dinner and to celebrate the launch of the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund.

The fund will support initiatives to help people gain confidence in digital technologies and create pathways into employment.

The fund will bring together the region’s tech sector to narrow the digital divide, funding organisations that can directly support those most excluded by these barriers, a cause Paul proudly champions and hopes people will get behind.

He said: “As someone born and raised in the North East, I am delighted to be involved in this initiative.

“We are rightly proud of the growth of the tech sector in this region, which has excellent companies and a fantastic workforce, yet we still have one of the highest rates of poverty and digital exclusion in the UK. People face greater inequality and economic disadvantage without access to digital technology and the internet. This often harms children and young people’s education and career opportunities. For older people, it can lead to social isolation and a damaging lack of access to online services.

“I know how generous the people of this region can be and working collectively as a business community, we can help to address the challenge of digital poverty and change the lives of many people.”

John Hollingsworth, Chief Philanthropy Officer at The Community Foundation, said:

“It is fantastic to be working with a purpose-driven organisation like Dynamo North East and entrepreneurs such as Paul on this project.

“Over the past 35 years, working with our amazing donors, we have provided over £175m in funding for a broad spectrum of North East community organisations, often with a focus on supporting those who find it most difficult to access opportunity. The Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund is a perfect example of how we are continuing to do just that. Our own Vital Signs research tells us that improving digital access is a key priority, particular because the opportunity our region has in the tech sector is huge and we want more people to benefit.

“This Fund is a fantastic initiative, and we would encourage any business in the tech sector to come along to the networking dinner and find out more about how they can get involved.”

Dynamo North East is the region’s largest tech cluster, bringing businesses from across the industry together to help champion and grow the sector.

Dr David Dunn, CEO of Dynamo North East, said: “We are delighted to have Paul joining us on our mission to help tackle digital poverty in the North East.

“The emergence of new technologies over recent years have had a transformational impact not only on our day-to-day lives, but also our industries, meaning today’s employees are often just expected to be digitally confident.

“However, while the North East has made great strides in attracting such employment opportunities, digital poverty levels in the region remain at higher-than-average levels, which is why we are calling for people from across the industry – like Paul – to come together and help us tackle this.

“Together, we can narrow the digital divide and ensure that, as new opportunities arise, they are open to people from all backgrounds and communities.”

The Community Foundation’s recent Vital Signs report on Access found that many people in the North East, including those affected by social and economic disadvantages, see digital advances as a barrier in their lives.

To sign up for the event, or to find out more, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-east-tech-charity-dinner-tickets-1070650888629?aff=oddtdtcreator