(Romania) The project Digitalization of Tax Payments for All: Easy and Fast Access addressed the digital exclusion of elderly and vulnerable citizens in accessing public services. A group of 20 high-school students, guided by 5 teachers, created a community-based digital education program that directly benefited 50 citizens and involved 10 partners, including local town halls, the tax office, police, volunteers, and local businesses.
After observing and speaking with residents, the students identified that many elderly people struggled to use the online platform for paying taxes. They organized training sessions, supported participants in creating accounts and making online payments, and prepared a simplified guide, video tutorials, and promotional materials. In doing so, they applied their knowledge of accounting and IT while developing civic and digital skills.
The learning goals connected civic engagement with academic knowledge: students strengthened teamwork, communication, and empathy, learned to use technology to solve real-life problems, and gained a sense of responsibility and leadership. The community service objectives focused on reducing the digital divide, improving access to public digital services, and reducing congestion and waiting times at the local tax office by promoting online payments.
Key activities included identifying beneficiaries with local authorities, creating educational materials, promoting the project online and offline, and organizing five interactive sessions where students acted as trainers. Through this hands-on experience, they improved digital literacy, communication, and teaching skills, while gaining confidence as active contributors to their community.
The project achieved concrete results: 50 people learned how to pay taxes online, easing congestion at the Tax Office and strengthening trust between citizens and institutions. The printed and digital guides remain available for future use, ensuring sustainability as trained participants now help their peers and family members. The collaboration between schools, institutions, and businesses created a foundation for similar initiatives in the future.
By combining learning and service in a meaningful way, the project not only reduced digital barriers but also built lasting social inclusion and community empowerment. It demonstrates how young people can become catalysts for innovation and solidarity through practical civic engagement.