State and by affected individuals and communities to promote balanced digital interaction in society.134 States should proactively support digital inclusion by creating conditions for everyone to access digital technologies.135 Such an outcome is best achieved through inclusive decision-making processes, including direct engagement with groups and individuals who are at risk of being left behind in the digital transformation. Governments should work with local communities and other stakeholders to assess local and regional digital inclusion needs and develop effective digital inclusion strategies.136 Effective digital inclusion strategies also require an evidence-based approach to policymaking, including gathering data on relevant social and economic indicators. Governments should identify and review existing levels of connectivity among different segments of the population defined by factors such as geographic location, ethnicity, language, gender and age. These metrics should include the monthly cost of broadband access relative to local household income as well as agreed targets of affordability.137 23. States should address any digital divides affecting individuals, households, businesses, communities, national minorities and regions. This includes when the State or private companies provide essential information or access to services through digital technology. Policies to address digital divides need to consider the various obstacles preventing different groups and individuals from accessing digital technologies. Digital divides occur across three levels: (1) the network or connectivity level; (2) the application-interface level; and (3) the end-user level.138 Strategies for digital inclusion should address all three levels in a co-ordinated way and recognize that the most disadvantaged in society are likely to be negatively impacted at every level. Both public and private actors need to be included in such strategies, because private companies, as well as the State, may provide essential information or access to services through digital technology. For example, digital technology is increasingly required to access basic services such as banking services. 134 Ljubljana Guidelines, Guideline 12. 135 Milan 2018, OSCE Ministerial Council, Decision No. 5/18, “Human Capital Development in the Digital Era”. 136 UN Secretary General, Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, p. 7 (2020). 137 UN Secretary General, Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, p. 7 (2020). 138 OECD, “Bridging Connectivity Divides”, p. 6. Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life 51