Punto digitale expands inRete

Starting on 3 September 2025, the pilot phase of Punto digitale inRete (Digital Point in the Network) will begin, an inter-municipal project designed to offer citizens of the participating municipalities concrete and free support in developing basic digital skills, creating opportunities for encounters between those who are familiar with the digital world and those who need to gain greater autonomy.

Punto digitale inRete represents an extension of the original project Punto digitale, created by the City of Lugano in 2022, and expands the impact of this initiative on an inter-municipal scale through a collaborative model among 10 municipalities. The municipalities participating in the pilot phase, in collaboration with the City of Lugano, are: Capriasca, Collina d’Oro, Lamone, Magliaso, Mezzovico-Vira, Morcote, Paradiso, Sorengo and Torricella-Taverne.

The name inRete evokes precisely this inter-municipal dimension, made possible thanks to the coordination of the Ente Regionale per lo Sviluppo del Luganese (Regional Development Agency of the Lugano Area, ERSL), which promoted and supported the creation of the project, facilitating cooperation among municipalities of different sizes and administrative structures. The initiative was developed in collaboration with the City of Lugano’s Divisione socialità (Social Affairs Division), Lugano Living Lab and the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). A central role was played by the digital platform of the municipalities of the Lugano area – inRete, managed by the Ente, which made it possible to disseminate the existing project, assess its extension and gather memberships for the pilot phase.

The Punto digitale inRete service will provide individual support on topics related to the use of digital technologies (email, e-ID, payments, parental control, etc.) to all citizens of the participating municipalities. The free digital assistance sessions will be conducted by students enrolled in USI’s Bachelor in Communication, coordinated by staff from the City of Lugano, thereby also promoting intergenerational exchange. The project involves USI students on a voluntary basis, offering the possibility to earn academic credits and put into practice communication skills they deepen during their studies.

The initiative addresses the challenge – and opportunity – of developing basic digital skills among the population, in line with the vision of the City of Lugano set out in its Linee di Sviluppo Lugano Duemilatrenta and with ERSL’s aim of contributing to a more inclusive Lugano area. The project is funded by the participating municipalities, by ERSL and by cantonal and federal contributions for the promotion of basic skills among adults.

The service

The pilot phase will start on 3 September 2025 and will be active until 17 June 2026. During this period, citizens of the participating municipalities will also be able to access the service at the current Punto digitale site in Pregassona, which will therefore become Punto digitale inRete (Digital Point in the Network). To cope with the expected increase in attendance, the service, compared to previous years, will extend its opening hours with an additional half-day per week and will involve a larger number of volunteer students.

The free Punto digitale inRete service operates by appointment. Interested citizens can book by calling: +41 58 866 74 10 or by email at [email protected].

Appointments will be scheduled during the following opening hours: Wednesday from 8.30 to 11.30, Saturday from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00.

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