The Virtual Inclusive Center (VIC) mobile application marks a significant milestone in the Digital Transformation of INclusive Youth Work (DTIYW) project. As digital solutions become increasingly essential in youth work, the VIC app ensures accessibility, engagement, and inclusivity for young people and youth workers alike. Designed as a natural extension of the VIC website, the mobile application adapts its core functionalities to a user-friendly mobile format while maintaining seamless integration with the web platform.
From Concept to Reality
The journey of developing the VIC mobile app was led by a dedicated team of professionals, including IT experts and youth work specialists. The initial development was carried out by Beetroot, a Swedish tech company, responsible for coding and programming. The subsequent stages—testing, publishing, and final optimizations—were managed by the project team. This included setting up a Google Developer account, identity and device verification, and conducting a 14-day closed testing phase to ensure the app’s reliability and performance.
Collaboration between the web development and mobile app teams was crucial, as both outputs were technically interconnected. The goal was to ensure automatic syncing of user activity and database between the website and the app, allowing for a cohesive and smooth experience across platforms.
Overcoming Challenges
While the VIC mobile app development was a rewarding experience, it also came with its fair share of challenges:
1. Time Lag Between Proposal and Implementation
The DTIYW project proposal was initially drafted in mid-2022, but the actual app development and publishing took place in late 2024. This two-year gap resulted in unexpected shifts in IT sector conditions, rising development costs, and budgetary constraints due to inflation. Adapting to these changes required financial adjustments and careful planning.
2. Publishing Process Hurdles
The Google Play Store publishing process was more intricate than anticipated. It included:
- Setting up a verified Google Developer account – This required a two-step identity and device verification process. Initially, the process failed due to complications with a work email, leading the YP Sweden team to close the first account and create a new publisher account.
- Closed testing phase – Before public launch, a 14-day closed testing was conducted with a group of at least 20 testers who provided daily feedback on app functionality and usability.
- Google review process – Approval for the app could take up to 10 days, with potential modifications required before final approval.
A Step Forward for Inclusive Youth Work
Despite the challenges faced, the VIC mobile application is now live, offering youth workers and young people an accessible and interactive platform to engage with inclusive youth work resources. This app ensures that vital information, learning materials, and community support are just a tap away.
The launch of the VIC app demonstrates the DTIYW project’s commitment to leveraging digital transformation for inclusivity. It is a step forward in making youth work more adaptable, accessible, and future-proof.
Download the VIC mobile app today and join the movement towards a more inclusive and digitally empowered youth sector!