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Information and communications technology provides governments with new and powerful tools, which enable better and faster communications with the citizens. Recently, many governments are undertaking large and complex endeavours of developing e-Government services. However, the use of e-Government by the citizens is still voluntary. Thus, readiness of citizens to participate in e-Government becomes a crucial factor in the process. Usage of e-Government services depends on various factors such as ease of use, proficiency, accessibility and civic engagement. In most countries there are several disadvantaged groups that are less likely to use services. These groups include elderly people, disabled people, and low socioeconomic status-groups (LSG). ELOST focuses on LSGs, which include diverse segments (such as unemployed people, people with low income, low education level, ethnic minorities and immigrants). Since the computer usage by LSGs is very low, web-based e-Government services are not available to a relatively large segment of European citizens. The pace at which countries deploy e-Government services, including measures taken to include LSGs, vary considerably across Europe. Excluding such populations groups from e-Government is a major cause of the digital divide within European countries. The main objective of ELOST is therefore to increase readiness to e-Government and civic engagement among LSGs. ELOST aims to increase the number of people from this target group that will use e-Government services as active citizens. ELOST will
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