Modern world and ageing societies go hand in hand. However, this situation causes problems. One of such challenges is to keep up with psychological wellbeing of the elderly, which is decreasing because of lacking social life and ways to contribute to ever changing society.The project consortium believes that the topic of seniors’ inclusion is overlooked by NGOs, although those organisations have (or can get) a set of skills which is perfectly suitable to work not only with youngsters, but also with seniors. Or, ideally, with both groups together.Therefore, “Community: Seniors Involved – International” (CSII) aims to create a special programme in which youth workers would include seniors in their work with youth (or youth would join the activities in the seniors’ centres). This way the youth would get a chance to learn from-, foster empathy towards- and deepen the understanding of the older generations. Whereas, the elderly would get to spend their time more purposefully, as well as learn from the youngsters.To be more exact, CSII seeks to: (1) foster opportunities for intergenerational learning in the participating countries; (2) raise the qualifications and competences of youth workers who could work with intergenerational groups; (3) boost youngsters’ empathy, respect and social responsibility concerning older generations; (4) improve local youth work by involving seniors; and (5) re-integrate older generations by involving them to activities together with youth; thus, increasing their well-being.Having achieved these objectives, CSII would: 1) solve/reduce the problem of social exclusion of the elderly; and 2) narrow the communication gap between generations. Not just in the short-term, but in the longer perspective (with the help of the planned outputs – methodology, online platform, youth contest, mutual mentorship programme & a festival).One of the outcomes would also be increased capacity of and mobility of the participants in/between the partner countries.
- Foster opportunities for intergenerational learning in the participating countries.- Raise the qualifications and competencies of youth workers, leaders, trainers, and coaches who could work with intergenerational groups.- Bost youngsters’ empathy, respect, and social responsibility concerning older generations.- Improve local youth work by involving seniors with their experience and skills.- Re-integrate older generations into the societies.
The mo world and aging societies go hand in hand. Life expectancy is increasing globally. However, this situation causes problems. Not only to countries’ governments (e.g. exploding pension budgets) but also to the elderly themselves. One of such challenges is to keep up their psychological well-being, which is decreasing because of lacking social life and ways to contribute to an ever-changing society. Even highly developed countries with good social care face that.
<< Background >> The mo world and aging societies go hand in hand. Life expectancy is increasing globally. However, this situation causes problems. Not only to countries’ governments (e.g. exploding pension budgets) but also to the elderly themselves. One of such challenges is to keep up their psychological well-being, which is decreasing because of lacking social life and ways to contribute to an ever-changing society. Even highly developed countries with good social care face that. << Objectives >> - Foster opportunities for intergenerational learning in the participating countries.- Raise the qualifications and competencies of youth workers, leaders, trainers, and coaches who could work with intergenerational groups.- Bost youngsters’ empathy, respect, and social responsibility concerning older generations.- Improve local youth work by involving seniors with their experience and skills.- Re-integrate older generations into the societies. << Implementation >> Project activities were implemented in all the participating countries: Lithuania, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan, starting on the 31st of October, 2019, and ending on the 31st of May, 2022. Due to Covid-19 some activities were canceled or implemented online. In general, all the main information about the project is available on the WEBSITE http://csiinternational.org/, which was created at the beginning of the implementation of the project. << Results >> As a result, cooperation between youth NGOs and elderly centers was established. The partner organizations and other stakeholders improved their skills in the organization of age-friendly events which bring different generations together. Age-neutral series of events was developed and implemented in all participating countries. The project brought elderly and young people together. It impacted the change of social norms and encouraged relationship building between generations.