The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is now a registered Scottish charity, formalising its capacity to support targeted, regionally informed action to address digital exclusion.
The move comes as one in nine households in Scotland remains without internet access – a figure that continues to reflect structural inequalities despite significant investment during the pandemic, including the £50 million Connecting Scotland Programme.
While short-term initiatives helped extend connectivity, a shift towards enduring, place-based solutions is now critical. The DPA’s recent National Delivery and Advocacy Plan sets out a coordinated framework to end digital poverty by 2030. Charity registration in Scotland enables the DPA to respond more directly to local priorities, strengthen delivery partnerships, and contribute more fully to national strategy.
“Securing charity status here is not the beginning of our story, but the next chapter in a deeper, more collaborative journey with communities, policy makers and local organisations,” said Elizabeth Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Poverty Alliance. “Our commitment has always been rooted in listening to communities and shaping sustainable, locally driven solutions.”
To mark the announcement, the DPA is partnering with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to distribute devices to families in former coalfield communities – areas where digital exclusion continues to intersect with economic and geographic barriers
“Digital exclusion remains a significant barrier in many of the areas we serve, impacting access to employment, education and essential services,” said Gary Porter, Regeneration Development Manager at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. “We are delighted to be working with the DPA to support families in coalfield communities across Scotland and we welcome DPA’s long-term commitment to improving digital resilience in communities which are far too often left behind.”
As digital inclusion continues to rise on Scotland’s policy agenda, the DPA’s registration as a Scottish charity marks a deliberate shift toward more embedded, long-term engagement.