A new call for applications for “Digital Rural Challenge” is now open, offering free training to promote digital inclusion in rural areas.
Description
The UNED Foundation has opened a new registration period for the Rural Digital Challenge program – “Rural Digital Inclusion: A Social Advancement,” a free digital training program for residents of rural areas and sparsely populated communities. The 6th call for applications will be open from March 9 to 27, 2026 .
The project is subsidized by the European Union – Next Generation EU , within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan , through the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge .
Modality and conditions
The training is offered online , and also in person through the UNED Associated Centers in Valencia, Segovia, and Cuenca (depending on the course). Furthermore, all courses are free of charge , and each participant can register for a maximum of two courses .
Who is it aimed at?
The call is aimed at people who live in:
- Municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants .
- Municipalities with more than 5,000 inhabitants with territorial singularities (hamlets, villages, rural neighborhoods, etc.).
- Municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants with dispersed population centers (specifically aimed at these centers).
Available training courses
The courses offered include six focused on highly sought-after skills for life and work in rural areas:
- Cybersecurity : “Your online guardian: cybersecurity fundamentals for digital self-defense.”
- Digital communication and active citizenship .
- Data management and analysis with spreadsheets .
- Digital skills for life in the 21st century .
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and its applications .
- Digital learning challenges in disadvantaged rural environments .
Registration and required documentation
Registration is completed by selecting the course of interest and filling out the enrollment process. Depending on your profile, specific documentation may be required, for example:
- Unemployed people : ID card, registration certificate, work history report and DARDE .
People over 65, under 25 and women : ID card and registration certificate.