Austria’s Digital Skills Model: DigComp 2.3 AT

Austria’s Digital Skills Model: DigComp 2.3 AT, is an updated framework designed to enhance the digital skills of Austrian citizens. This model builds upon the EU’s DigComp framework, integrating new elements that reflect Austria’s specific needs and recent developments in the digital landscape.

Developed in collaboration with the association fit4internet, DigComp 2.3 AT (2022) focuses on ensuring that the Austrian population is equipped with the necessary digital competencies to navigate the increasingly digital world. The initiative emphasises key areas such as digital access, media literacy, sustainability, and citizen participation in digital spaces.

Key features of DigComp 2.3 AT include:

1. Expanded competence areas:
   • In addition to the core competencies of information and data literacy, communication, content creation, safety, and problem-solving, Austria’s version introduces a foundational level (competence area 0) focused on basic digital access and literacy.
2. Media competence & civic engagement:
   • With the digitalisation of communication and media production, DigComp 2.3 AT stresses the importance of responsible content creation and media literacy. This includes the ability to distinguish between reliable and misleading information (e.g. recognising ‘fake news’).
3. Sustainability in IT:
   • Recognising the environmental impact of digital technologies, the framework introduces guidelines for sustainable IT usage, focusing on resource efficiency and minimising digital waste.
4. Competency levels:
   • The framework is structured across eight levels, from elementary to highly specialised competencies, providing clear guidance on the proficiency required for various digital tasks. These levels align with Austria’s National Qualification Framework (NQR), ensuring that individuals’ digital skills are systematically assessed and recognised across educational and professional contexts.
5. Real-world application:
   • DigComp 2.3 AT emphasises practical, real-world scenarios, helping users apply their digital skills to everyday situations like setting up new digital devices or managing digital business tasks.

Through this model, Austria aims to create a digitally competent society, capable of participating fully in both personal and professional digital environments.