Funding Bubble Bursts for Internet Skills Centres

Hundreds of centres helping people in deprived communities to develop internet skills are facing an uphill fight for survival as their funding runs out. UK online centres were launched by the Government in 2000 to help give everyone access to the internet. But with the initial £100m lottery funding running out, there is now no dedicated fund for the 6,000 centres. Those based in colleges, libraries and other venues are expected to secure money from their host organisations, but the future of centres run by community and voluntary groups is less certain. University for Industry (Ufi), which manages the centres, is lobbying funders in Europe and the UK to safeguard their future.
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