The CORA project and the CORA bus (a mobile digital hub) took part in the Internet Week Denmark (IWDK) with more than 100 events in the region of Aarhus. One of the most well-attended events were held at a rural area of Djursland. On Tuesday, 7 May in the afternoon Syddjurs Municipality invited citizens and businesses to a Smart Fair focused on digitalization and digital future.
100 million DKK (EUR 13.4 million) allocated to high speed broadband
A week before IWDK, the Danish Energy Agency had officially opened applications for this year’s broadband pool of DKK 100 million. “Last year we received grants of more than DKK 10 million to Djursland,” says Henrik Friis, broadband consultant at Djursland Municipalities. “We do what we can to get as much money as possible from the nation-wide pool for better internet in our local area this year as well.” Together with Anne Risom, Henrik helps citizens to seek grants from the pool. “We have currently held two of the eight planned workshops before the summer break.”
It’s good to be visible
The blue CORA bus was parked near the entrance to the Smart Fair. Henrik Friis and Anne Risom had many good conversations with the visitors about the broadband pool – and much more. “It makes great sense to be present with the CORA bus,” says Henrik. “Our digital future relies entirely on good mobile coverage as well as fast and stable internet even in rural areas here in Djursland.”
More than 600 people visited the fair and the stands in the crowded sport arena at Rønde. “CORA was also on the big stage. Our banners were placed on the stage along with the guest speakers.” In the morning, before the Smart fair opened, a workshop for 50 local businessmen was held.
The CORA bus on the way to town festival in Grenaa
Henrik and Anne participated at two more events during the IWDK week. Wednesday, 8 May, Norddjurs municipality invited citizens to a dialogue about the needs and expectations of the municipality’s digital service. The week ended with a town festival in Grenaa on Sunday, 12 May, when the new light rail was officially inaugurated.
The area at the station was closed for traffic, and Mayor of Norddjurs Municipality, Jan Petersen, arrived in a special train from the city Aarhus along with two other mayors and the Danish Building and Housing Minister, Ole Birk Olesen. Speeches were made, and stands offered free sausages and coffee. Citizens took part in competitions, could try and buy different things. Local bands and nationwide known singer Signe Svendsen gave a small concert on the stage. And in the middle of it all, there was the blue CORA bus, where Henrik and Anne once again met the citizens, and explained, among other things, digitalization and high speed Internet.
The visit of the CORA bus to the light rail inauguration is part of IWDK and is therefore also marketed via IWDK along with the many other events.
