Local and International Active Seniors Erasmus Project

Project Title

Local and International Active Seniors

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Social dialogue; Health and wellbeing

Project Summary

The project was designed to contribute to good practice in enhancing social inclusion for older generations through their staying active through learning, volunteering and contributing to the wellbeing of society. The project partners were from six countries (France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal and UK) and each shared their geographic, cultural and historic perspective to create products and working methodology which could work effectively (with minor adaptations where required) at a trans-national level

European demographic data highlighted in all countries an increase in the average age of the population as a result of the twin trends of increasing longevity and reduced birth rates. Freedom to move for work and travel in Europe is a great positive benefit of the Union, however it has led to many families facing greater distance of separation, with younger and older generations living in different countries. This reduced the traditionally family led support and a resultant increase in isolation among older generations.

At any age and particular in older age, social isolation and low levels of self-confidence can significantly reduce individual sense of wellbeing with often resultant accessing public services for support. The project developed a model to address these issues through creating the Learning through Volunteering training course and supporting the ten senior participants (aged 50+) in each country to volunteer at a local level and / or transnational level. There were six adult blended mobilities (one hosted by each partner)

The first training course was for individual seniors increase self-confidence, create new social networks, build skills to volunteer, improve digital skills and address other basic skill needs. the delivery was in group sessions, with supporting one-to-one sessions to provide bespoke assistance. The results provided seniors with increased motivation, engaged more in society and with enhanced self-confidence / sense of wellbeing. Combating in this way isolation and low confidence will improve basic skills, independence, health and wellbeing and provide a route for participants to remain active.

The second course was to build the capacity of local organisations who piloted the training programme, which enabled testing of the product and the creation of an enhanced version for final dissemination. These organisations were ambassadors for the new methodology and played active role in promoting how to work with senior volunteers.

Project partners increased capacity in the joint creation and delivery of the Learning through Volunteering training course and the participation of key staff / trainers / assistant trainers in the two short-term joint staff training events and six staff exchanges. The products created through Intellectual Outputs (training course, good practice guidelines on project learning and working with senior volunteers) were mainstreamed into partner ongoing practice and to a wider audience through active dissemination in the form of 12 Multiplier Events, websites, newsletters, videos and social media etc.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 250054 Eur

Project Coordinator

DACORUM COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Federacja Organizacji Socjalnych Wojewodztwa Warminsko-Mazurskiego FOSa
• Gulbenes novada pasvaldiba
• PISTES SOLIDAIRES
• ASSOCIACAO MAIS CIDADANIA
• REPLAY Network