Each participant at the international workshop approached the topic from a different angle: some targeted adults from a migrant background, some organizations needed to rethink services for the unemployed, and others focused on ways to re-engage older people. The aim was to find some way of re-launching social participation in the life of a community, either through new methods or by refreshing old ones. We also expected the training to have an impact on our staff and adult learners: - by giving them self-confidence, - by increasing their competence in motivating adults to develop their skills, - by providing solutions to counteract burnout, - as well as managing depression, - and coping with stress.
Our association has been organizing non-formal learning opportunities for the population of Pécs locally for 30 years. Nearly 90 civil society organizations and formal and non-formal communities are currently operating in the House of Civil Communities (CKH) managed by the association. One of our important target groups is the elderly, who are present in the city in good numbers, carrying out various activities: volunteering, playing sports, organizing cultural events, and participating in the life of the city. We believe it is important to maintain this activity, as the longer this target group remains mentally fresh, the longer they can participate in the life of the community. We tried to keep in touch with them during the pandemic, but their activity has noticeably declined and it is difficult to involve them and invite them to participate. At the same time, it is also difficult for our staff to restart certain activities for CKH. The workshop gave us an international perspective that we are not alone in facing similar difficulties. The participating countries (DE, ES, PL, HU) have all faced these problems and the joint work has encouraged us to keep in touch and try to find answers to the questions that arise.