The main objectives are to ensure social inclusion, civic engagement, active participation in society, and mental wellbeing of seniors. The project aims to develop innovative tools for active ageing and to improve services provided by adult educators and related organizations. Specifically, it aims to: Promote innovative methods and pedagogies for adult educators; Develop learning materials and tools for effective ICT; Enhance access, participation, and learning performance for seniors; Foster social inclusion via integrated approaches to enhance seniors' mental health and social cohesion; Promote shared values, equality, social inclusion, diversity, and non-discrimination; Encourage sustainable links between educational, training, health organizations, and society; Facilitate intergenerational learning; Promote digital skills for seniors to integrate them into the digital era; Increase social participation, digital inclusion, and prevent loneliness and mental health issues; Enable active citizenship and civic engagement of seniors in the digital era; Address challenges from Covid-19, including social isolation and anxiety among seniors; Promote volunteering among younger generations.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, emphasizing the need for technologies to ensure social inclusion in the digital age. The WHO predicts that the proportion of people over 60 will double from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to address social and mental health challenges. In the EU, the growing elderly population and social isolation make it crucial to promote wellbeing to prevent loneliness. The European Commission noted that 18% of adults in Europe face social isolation, with many seniors unable to engage in social activities due to social and health constraints. The pandemic underscored the necessity of ICT technologies to promote mental health and digital inclusion for seniors. The EU Agenda for Adult Learning highlights the need to increase adult participation in formal, non-formal, and informal learning. The Active Ageing Index shows seniors aspire to live independently with social inclusion and civic engagement. The EU emphasizes the value of volunteering for the economy and the need to bridge the generational gap. The project advocates for a digital intergenerational program based on volunteering and training professionals to support seniors.