Why should you take part in the Dotació .cat?
Every year, hundreds of teachers run digital projects in class thanks to the Dotació .cat. Here is why it is worth it and how to apply.
Every year, hundreds of teachers from Catalan-speaking territories work on digital projects in the classroom thanks to the Dotació .cat. If you haven’t taken part yet, this article explains why it’s worth it and how to get started.
What is the Dotació .cat?
The Dotació .cat is a programme run by Domini .cat, in collaboration with registrars cdmon, Dinahosting and Nominalia, which offers a free package including a .cat domain and web hosting so that teachers in Catalan-speaking territories can work on digital projects in the classroom in Catalan.
In practice, it means your students can have a real website, with their own domain, at no cost to the school.
Why is it important for your students to have their own domain?
Working with their own domain is not just a digital activity: it’s an opportunity for students to learn how to build their identity on the Internet in a responsible and autonomous way.
With a .cat domain, students will be able to:
- Take control: decide what to publish and how to present it, without depending on external platforms.
- Build their own digital identity: a domain is the opportunity to make a great first impression online, very different from a social media profile.
- Learn to manage it responsibly: having their own space implies commitment and judgement, two key competencies in digital education.
- Build trust: the .cat domain provides a safe environment linked to the Catalan language and culture.
- Create quality content: building a website involves writing, organising and communicating. Students develop written and digital production skills that go far beyond what social media offers.
And what does it bring to you as a teacher?
The Dotació .cat is also a flexible pedagogical tool: you can adapt it to any subject area, level or project. In addition, all websites created by students can enter the .cat Wapps Awards, the Catalan-language web competition for students — an extra source of motivation for the whole class.
How can you take part?
The process is simple and takes place entirely online. Here you will find all the information about the requirements and the application process. Grants are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis until the 4,000 available each academic year run out, from September to June, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
For more information, write to dotacio@domini.cat.
