The implementation of the ETERNAL project aimed to achieve several key objectives. Foremost, it sought to address the social, cultural, and emotional needs of seniors by engaging them in high-quality adult learning activities. These activities were designed to foster social interaction, reduce isolation, and encourage an active and fulfilling lifestyle aligned with European values such as tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. A significant goal was to provide participants with opportunities to experience different cultures, and connect with their European identity, including seniors from a non-member country. Through the international training activities and the produced podcast series, the project created spaces for intercultural dialogue, creative collaboration, and personal expression. Participants were encouraged to use theatre as a medium to articulate their voices, share their stories, and explore innovative ways of self-expression. The project aimed to show the transformative potential of theatre as an educational and cultural tool, showcasing its ability to strengthen community bonds and promote a shared European identity. All in all, the ETERNAL aspired to reinforce the role of seniors as valued European citizens.
The decision to apply for ETERNAL was driven by its alignment with the critical needs of older adults, particularly in fostering social engagement, providing meaningful learning opportunities, and addressing issues of isolation and routine monotony. The project’s objectives were recognized as highly impactful, aiming to promote an active European lifestyle by embracing values such as tolerance, diversity, and inclusion, using the universal language of theatre as one of the main non-formal education tools of the project. Acknowledging the need for older adults -especially those coming from peripheral european cities -to travel, experience other cultures, and socialize, the project provided the opportunity to around 20 seniors in total to visit the European institutions in Brussels and/or participate in theatre workshops in Serbia. These activities allowed participants to connect with different cultures, collaborate creatively, and express their voices in innovative ways. Through the use of theatre techniques, participants were offered a unique platform to escape daily routines, engage in cultural enrichment, and strengthen their connection to a shared European identity.