ABOUT THE STRATEGY

Digital plays a part in everywhere we go and everything we do. The Manchester Digital Strategy sets out a vision and clear plan of action for our digital future.

The front cover of Manchester's Digital Strategy 2021-2026, featuring four images of Manchester town centre above the title 'Manchester Digital Strategy 2021-2026'.

Manchester is home to a vibrant and thriving digital sector that plays an increasingly important role in the success of our city, by providing opportunities for our residents and attracting investment that drives sustainable growth.

Our Digital Strategy lays the foundation for our vision to elevate the digital ecosystem in our city over the next five years. It outlines the steps we will take to realise our ambitious goals for the future of our city.

We centre the priorities of people in our city, and set out aims that address the challenges faced by the diverse range of communities that call Manchester their home. We believe that everyone has a right to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digital world and will work collectively to ensure our ecosystem is inclusive, ethical, and connected to the needs of local people.

If you’d like to find out more about the values that underpin our work in more detail, you can download the Strategy in full here.

The front cover of Manchester's Digital Strategy Delivery Plan 2024, showcasing a grid of images depicting people and places in Manchester above the title 'Manchester Digital Strategy Delivery Plan 2024'.

Our annual Delivery Plan defines our areas of focus for the coming year, setting out the steps we will have to take to realise the objective of the wider Digital Strategy.

While the Digital Strategy lays the foundations for our vision, the Delivery Plan drives execution, offering actionable steps forwards.

Simply put, our Delivery Plan ensures that we are driven by meaningful, real-world outcomes that positively impact the lives of people in Manchester.

“The Strategy will ensure that the city continues to support & grow our digital ecosystem, while strengthening its connection with the people, organisations and services that call Manchester home.

Councillor Bev Craig of Manchester City Council

Words alone won’t shape our future; actions will define our success. We measure our progress against tangible outcomes to drive meaningful change.

Our Strategy is uncompromisingly ambitious, and our priorities can only be achieved through city-wide collaboration.

Over the next five years, we’ll be working together with businesses, organisations, communities and people to help create a city where everybody can thrive.

Take a look at some of our key ambitions on the left, or explore some of our projects to see what actions we’re taking this year!

Text in yellow square: "We will become a digitally inclusive city, with better digital infrastructure, access to digital technology, and strong life-long digital skills."
Text in green square: "We will become a zero-carbon city by 2034, promoting green growth, sustainable design, low-carbon energy, retrofitting buildings, green infrastructure, and increasing our climate resilience."
Senior Digital Strategy Officer Megan Lawless sits on a bench on a sunny day, using a tablet.
Text in pink square: "We will ensure Manchester has a strong, inclusive and innovative economy with diverse growth sectors, where our residents are recognised for their contribution via fair contracts and are paid at least the Real Living Wage."
A cityscape of Manchester.
Text in blue box: We will maintain Manchester's vibrancy by working to build a more inclusive culture where all communities are included."
A female support officer helps an older woman to use a laptop. Both women are smiling warmly.
Text in yellow box: "We will continue to support our residents to learn, progress, upskills and retrain so that they can access the city's current and future employment opportunities".
An older woman sits at a computer in a community centre, smiling warmly at the camera.

“This Digital Strategy provides the foundation for us to achieve our aim of being a world-class digital city by 2026.”

Councillor Bev Craig of Manchester City Council

link to remarkable people extraordinary opportunities

Remarkable People,
Extraordinary Opportunities

Connecting places enhancing lives

Connecting People,
Enhancing Lives

Pioneering the future prosperity for all

Pioneering the Future,
Prosperity for All

Rising to challenges future proofing our city

Rising to Challenges, Future-Proofing Our City

Our Strategy is divided into four key priority areas that set out our vision for the future of Manchester.

These themes are not intended to work in isolation, but interweave, support and enrich each other. By defining our priorities, we take a targeted approach to realising our vision of Manchester as a future leading digital city.

Together, our four themes provide the roadmap for how we will leverage data and technology to transform Manchester into a centre for digital innovation, collaboration, and connectivity.

Each theme has a corresponding icon. Look out for these across our social media channels!