Overcoming the second level of digital divide, i.e. bridging the divide which occurs as a result of use or non-use of e-services is achieved by promoting the principle of einclusion. E-inclusion refers to activities for enabling access to e-services and digital content, including those people for whom the acquisition of knowledge relating to new technologies represent a big challenge due to their level of education, age, limited financial resources, sex, nationality, disabilities (e-accessibility), geographical divide6 and alike. In the world as it is today, with bigger opportunities ad potential for e-inclusion, there are still impediments for complete and active participation of citizens. Challenges regarding access, accessibility, usage and usability of tools, as well as the creation of educational content that allows full usage of the benefits of the information society will always represent the main determinants of exclusion. The right to participate will be the greatest challenge for inclusion in the information society. The “design for all” principle should be observed when offering e-services and digital contents. Currently, in most of the EU countries, 30-40% of population is excluded from the benefits of information society. In Macedonia, this number reaches 50-70% (according to studies7 made so far, only 50% of the population use computers and only 30% use the Internet). This part of population is called digitally illiterate and has the potential to experience serious repercussions related to employment opportunities and integration in the society. In the case of Macedonia, the economic future of the state, especially the transition to a society based on knowledge, depends on e-inclusion of this group of people in the information society. Due to this fact in Macedonia, the process is forthcoming of mass education in this area. Most of measures related to bridging the digital divide and reaching an e-inclusive Information Society in the Republic of Macedonia are addressed in the National Strategy for Development of Information Society in the Republic of Macedonia8, especially in the pillar "e-citizens", with the relevant action plan. I.3. Creation of Pro-Active Environment Necessary for Creating and Developing Info-Communication Infrastructure for Information Society The new vision of “society of the future”, or the so-called information society promoted by the European Union is expressed in the Lisbon Strategy, and according to it, this society should be based on knowledge and innovations, i.e. a society where all the citizens will have easy and cheap access to information and knowledge via electronic communications infrastructures and digital technologies. 6 (including underdeveloped communication infrastructure, as well ) http://www.stat.gov.mk/, http://www.metamorphosis.org.mk/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=10&Itemid=16 (second part of the site, series of researches of the Foundation Metamorphoses), http://217.16.95.5/new/docs/Internet_and_Computer_Usage_%20Report_%20MK.pdf (USAID research) 8 http://www.kit.gov.mk 7 Page 8 of 40