|
Hello, and welcome to our final monthly newsletter of 2025!
With Manchester's Christmas festivities in full swing - and the sound of sleigh bells growing ever nearer - we're preparing to wave goodbye to a year that's been as rewarding as it's been busy! Before we switch on out-of-office replies and head into a week of rest and relaxation, we want to take a moment to say a huge thank you for being part of our journey this year.
Our aspirations for Manchester's Digital Strategy couldn't be delivered in isolation. The ambitions set out in the Strategy have been brought to life only through collaboration with the incredible businesses, organisations and communities that make up Manchester's tech ecosystem. We're grateful for the partnerships, events and conversations that have inspired, supported and empowered us to shape a fairer future for Manchester where everyone can benefit from advances in digital technology. If you're keen to get involved in our plans for 2026, reach out to to us at manchesterdigitalstrategy@manchester.gov.uk. We'd love to hear from you!
We're also ending the year with some exciting news. We're thrilled to share that two members of our brilliant Digital Inclusion team have stepped into new roles following well-deserved promotions! A big congratulations to Emily, our new Digital Inclusion Co-Ordinator and Georgie, our new Digital Inclusion Officer. Emily and Georgie have made an incredible impact driving forward the team's vital work closing Manchester's digital divide over the last year. We couldn't be happier to see them take their next steps as part of a brilliant team shaping the future of digital inclusion in Manchester.
In this month's newsletter, we're also reflecting on our International Digital Rights Days celebrations; sharing an exciting opportunity to join our team; and celebrating the talent, passion and creativity of young innovators in Manchester.
Happy reading, and we'll see you in 2026 - with a brand new Digital Strategy delivery plan!
|
|
New year, new job? We're on the hunt for a new Senior Digital Strategy Officer to take the lead on our Connected Places theme, helping to ensure that Manchester's digital infrastructure benefits everyone.
This exciting, fast-paced role offers the chance to meaningfully shape how technology transforms the city to ensure our shared digital future is ethical, inclusive and sustainable.
If you're passionate about digital placemaking, with a drive to improve outcomes for residents and communities across Manchester - we want to hear from you!
To find out more about the role, or to submit your application, head over to the Manchester City Council website using the link below.
|
Last week, we were excited to join cities across the world to celebrate International Digital Rights Days.
A global campaign by the Cities Coalition of Digital Rights, #IDRD champions the importance of ethical technologies & fair digital access. Highlighting five key principles to define the future of digital rights, the campaign aims to inspire action to safeguard human rights online for future generations.
Missed out? We've collated some our posts, articles and resources from #IDRD, exploring why digital rights should matter to everyone:
We’re proud to stand alongside an international community committed to safeguarding the digital rights to which we're all entitled. Head over to the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights website below to learn more about how you can join the historic movement to protect human rights online. Together, we can shape a digital future that upholds human rights for all!
|
Last week, we were thrilled to serve as judges for Manchester's first 'Haqqathon' event, taking place at the stunning British Muslim Heritage Centre in Whalley Range.
The two-day hackathon brought together over 100 talented young innovators from across Greater Manchester to develop tech-based solutions to real-word civic challenges.
In partnership with our Let's Get Digital team, we challenged attendees to create and pitch a solution to help us track, measure and analyse the impact of digital inclusion initiatives in the city.
After just 48 hours, teams had created AI-enabled chatbots, mouse-tracking tools and digital dashboards offering creative and practical approaches to the complex challenges of measuring digital inclusion.
We're hugely proud to create opportunities for the next generation of tech innovators to gain new skills, connect with peers, and engage with Manchester's wider tech community.
We were blown away by the enthusiasm, professionalism and talent of the students and can't wait to explore how their creative and innovative solutions could support our Digital Inclusion team to measure the impact of their vital work!
We'll be sharing more details about the event on our social media soon - including our incredible winning team. For now, make sure to follow the official Haqqathons page on LinkedIn to find out more, or learn how you can get involved with future initiatives.
|
|
|
 BuildLikeAPro Manchester
Get ready for BuildlikeAPro — a two-day BuildAthon where your ideas meet serious rewards! Whether you're just getting started or already gaining traction, this is your chance to showcase what you've been working on and compete for prizes and over £1 million in investment.
Manchester City Council is proud to sponsor the event on January 6th and 7th, hosted by entrepreneur and investor David Levine in partnership with Antler VC.
The BuildAThon event will bring together builders and founders from across the North to create the next generation of start-ups. With over £1m in equity investment from Antler, Ascension and Haatch Ventures, the event will be split into two steams:
-
BUILD - for those just starting out on their build journey and have been building for less than 3 months with a £5k cash price, credits and Antler residency.
-
SCALE - for those already building for more than 3 months with currently over £1m in investment commitments secured.
To find out more - or apply for a place - head over to Luma via the link below.
Bruntwood SciTech Female Founders Incubator
Are you a female founder?
Bruntwood SciTech's Female Founders Incubator is a six month programme dedicated to supporting female-founded ambition.
Offering free desk space, access to a dedicated mentor, professional services support and a community of like-minded women, the incubators aims to support female founders to grow their networks, business and confidence.
Applications close on the 21st December, so make sure you don't miss out!
Find out more or apply by heading over to the link below.
The Ripple Effect Report
FutureDotNow - a coalition of industry leaders focused on closing the digital skills gap - have released a new report exploring the relationship between essential digital skills and social value.
Developed in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the report outlines:
-
The digital skills ripple effect: When people gain essential digital skills, their digital capability and confidence create a ripple effect of positive change in their life and the lives of those around them.
-
The positive impacts of digital capability: Digital capabilities improve communication, expand choice and enables greater contribution to society.
-
Digital skills create social value: The positive changes that happen when people build their digital skills ultimately create social value for individuals, families, organisations and businesses.
-
Social value at scale: Best practice research techniques uncovered ten categories of social value and six beneficiary groups that map across to complex web of interconnected outcomes.
Download the full report from the FutureDotNow website by heading over to the link below.
|
|
|
Digital Inclusion Good News
Our Digital Inclusion team is grateful to have received six laptops - including one MacBook - and eight computer monitors from Polaris Software. These devices have been enabled the team to support three Manchester residents and four organisations, helping them to get online and better deliver their services to those in need across Manchester.
These types of donations from organisations updating their kit allows the Digital Inclusion team to continue to make a significant impact in individual's lives. This can include removing barriers to applying for jobs online, seeking health advice, and continuing study for greater employment opportunities down the line.
Thank you to Polaris Software for helping to increase the team's reach and impact!
|
|
|
Every month, we'll be sharing updates, news, and opportunities from the Digital Strategy Team, our partners, and the wider digital ecosystem. Whether you're interested in collaborating, have questions, or simply want to learn more about our ambitious vision for Manchester's digital future, we'd love to hear from you!
Find out about the different ways you can reach us below:
|
|
|
|
|
