The City of Lugano, through the Lugano Living Lab urban laboratory and the Divisione Socialità (Social Division), is introducing the eQuiD project. The goal is to collect, refurbish, enhance, and distribute used computers from companies and institutions free of charge to citizens who are interested in and need a computer, but not just any computer, rather a sustainable and low-impact device.

eQuiD arises from the desire within the context of implementing the Development Guidelines 2018-2028, which see the City of Lugano committed to carrying out concrete projects aimed at raising citizens' awareness of digital innovation and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The project is part of the administration's activities tied to the initiatives #digitaleconsapevole and #luganosostenibile and is also funded through cantonal and federal contributions to promote adults' basic skills.

The goals

  • Provide a computer to those in need
     
  • Promote the culture of reuse and solidarity
     
  • Reduce electronic waste
     
  • Develop digital skills by bridging the digital divide, which is the gap between those who have access to digital tools and knowledge and those who do not

The City of Lugano is committed to collecting IT equipment still in good condition from various donors, including companies and private individuals. The collection of materials is carried out by City of Lugano staff in collaboration with individuals enrolled in employment programmes aimed at redeployment in the logistics sector, thereby fostering professional reactivation.

The computers are refurbished (reconditioned, restored) by professionals. During this phase, personal data stored on the computer’s memory is deleted following very strict rules, and software is installed anew, eliminating all previous records.

Some of the computers are refurbished in a sheltered workshop coordinated by HUMAN STRATEGIES Sagl and dedicated to people registered with the Disability Insurance. The goal is to facilitate a gradual reintegration into the labour market, enable skills development, and carry out activities in a calm environment with the support of specialised staff.

Each computer becomes a small work of art. The external part is customized with graphics designed specifically for the project, thanks to the collaboration with Fondazione Diamante.

The computers are loaned free of charge by the City of Lugano to citizens who request them via the online form available below. 

Those who receive an eQuiD PC are informed about training courses promoted by the City of Lugano to learn and deepen their computer usage and develop digital skills.

Who can ask for a PC from eQuiD?

People domiciled in Lugano and nonprofits operating primarily in the municipal area who need a computer and prefer to use an already used one instead of buying a new one can apply to the City for a PC from the eQuiD project.

Who can donate computer equipment to eQuiD?

Businesses, institutions and individuals can donate computers, screens, mouses and keyboards that are still in good working order to the eQuiD project by completing the online form below.

The following are accepted: desktop and laptop computers, screens, mouses and keyboards.

All donated equipment must be in good condition and in working order.

In addition to the City of Lugano, which is the most important donor for the project, several companies and institutions have donated computers and other devices to the eQuiD project:

Those who receive a computer sign a loan agreement for free use with the City of Lugano. Below are the details of the main points included in the agreement:

  1. The eQuiD computer must be used for personal purposes only and not for commercial, professional, or financial activities. 
     
  2. The eQuiD computer is delivered in good condition, without defects, and fully operational.
    The recipient commits to handling the computer with care and attention and to using it solely for personal purposes, as indicated in point 1.
    If the recipient intentionally damages the computer, they must compensate for the damage, meaning they must pay the value of the computer at that moment (not the value of a new computer).
     
  3. The City of Lugano does not provide any technical support or repair services.
     
  4. The agreement is of indefinite duration. However, if the City of Lugano requests the return of the computer, the recipient must return the computer within 15 days.
     
  5. At the end of the agreement, when the recipient decides to return the computer or the City of Lugano requests it, the recipient commits to returning the computer in the same condition in which it was received, except for normal wear and tear from everyday use.
     
  6. The recipient agrees not to give the eQuiD computer to others who do not live with them, neither for free nor for payment, even for short periods.
     
  7. If the recipient uses the eQuiD computer for a different purpose than agreed, the agreement will be terminated.
     
  8. Any modifications, repairs, or improvements made by the recipient to the computer will not be reimbursed by the City of Lugano.

Contact form

For example: Mario Rossi SA, Via degli orti 99, 6900 Lugano

* Required field

The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.

The original version is the page in Italian.

Contacts

Città di Lugano
Socialità
eQuiD
Via Besso 38
(ingresso da Via al Nido)
6900 Lugano
t. +41 58 866 74 48
[email protected]

See also.