The main objective of the Contigo-Avec Toi project was to encourage the civic participation of young people by involving them in volunteering activities aimed at caring for older people in situations of unwanted loneliness. Developed in Spain and France, it involved 100 young volunteers aged 18 to 30 and supported at least 50 older people at risk of social isolation. This objective is aligned with the European priorities of promoting the active citizenship of young people, supporting local communities and promoting intercultural and intergenerational dialogue, as well as recognizing diversity and fostering tolerance. To this end, the following specific objectives were defined: Improve the quality of the work of youth organizations, particularly in the field of volunteering with older people. Promote intergenerational exchanges, encouraging relationships of mutual learning between young people and older people. Train volunteers in basic skills in social assistance, social abilities, and equality, and foster enriching relationships. Respond to the support needs of older people.
The Contigo-Avec Toi project took place from January 2024 to June 2025 with the aim of encouraging the active participation of young people in volunteering and in building an engaged European citizenship. Fundación Senara (Spain) and JEM – Jeunes Engagés pour le Monde (France) promoted this initiative after identifying common interests and complementarities in their youth work. The project promoted intergenerational volunteering as a tool to address population aging, one of Europe’s major social challenges. In 2024, 20.4% of the Spanish population and 21.5% of the French population will be over 64 years old. Young people took part in activities with older people, generating mutual benefits: the elderly reduced their isolation, and the young people acquired knowledge, social and civic skills, thereby improving their employability. The project strengthened young people’s civic engagement, intergenerational solidarity, and contributed to a more inclusive, cohesive Europe, more aware of its social challenges.