"Although the EU has passed the Memorandum Lifelong Learning in 2000, we still have high youth unemployment and a lack of knowledge among pupils, younger and older adults in Europe (e.g. studies PISA (2014) , PIACC (2013 ) , CILL (2014)) . Therefore all resources especially intergenerational educational resources (e.g, professional and life experiences) must be used to satisfy those education requirements.The objectives of the project are:- The extended active participation of young people in democratic processes to the development of European cooperation, supported by dialogue and exchanges with older people who can contribute significantly to their professional and life experience- The promotion of social inclusion and social well-being of young people through the intensification of the dialogue between generations and mutual support in teaching and learning processes as well as in everyday life- The strengthening of the motivation of young people for life long learning through the model effect of older people- The expansion of junior professional development in the STEM area for high demand disciplines, professions and fields of study by retired professionals- The promotion of social dialogue and the development of reciprocal intergenerational learning in different teaching-learning situations.The profile of the participants in the project is based on the concept of intergenerational education and consists of 300 pupils and teachers of the SEC I / II, 75 German and international students, 15 university teachers, 120 senior students at educational institutions of the project partners, 25 retired professionals and 25 elderly people.The dissemination of the project work and results is based about 3000 participants in the general further education programs at the project partners.The following project activities are planned:• Collection of reports of witness of the times as a free teaching and learning materials with a didactic-methodological guidance as an Open Educational Resources (OER)• Generation talks on European issues to raise mutual understanding of the other generation and to promote the community in Europe • Pupils build paper bridges together with seniors in a European competition and talks about the importance of concrescence of European countries and the EU's future image• Development of a methodological guideline for development and design of intergenerational godparent programs• Development of target group oriented modular guidelines for juniors and seniors on the use of web conferencing and Internet telephony• Seniors, students and pupils develop an industrial culture route with commemorative plaques• Intergenerational discussions about the parliamentary political work, the European partner countries and their cultures• Cooperation between Children-Universities and Universities of third Life (U3L) • Recommendations for policy makers to shape the intergenerational education at local, national and European level• Development of a common project homepage, which is continued even after finishing project • Summary of the project results on the Internet and as a bookletResults- Younger and older participants developed dialogue and mutual learning about work and life experience, cultures and traditions and a more positive picture of the other generation- Experience of the common goals, cultural differences and cultural diversity in the participating partner countries were collected as a European added value- A more active and motivating joint participation of younger and older people in the development of European cooperation and European citizenship was achieved- Further development of the universities, not only for younger students, but for all generations- An increase in self-esteem of the elderly that their experiences are in demand and used and the mutual appreciation of the benefits of the other generation- An increase in scientific discussion of the intergenerational educational opportunities and their implementation as a contribution to dialogue and cooperation between generations was prompted by conferences and presentations- The project outcome were published on the project's website as well as in the brochure ""Ältere bauen mit Jüngeren Brücken für Europa"" (Brücken (2017))As a long-term benefit of the development of intergenerational cooperation with other educational institutions, the continued use of eyewitness reports in OER and the expansion of generation talks in various teaching-learning situations is expected.The different results of the project from the various European countries play an important role as a European added value for intergenerational education, the further development of European cooperation and to encourage the meeting, education and collaboration between younger and older people in a peaceful Europe of cultural diversity."

Digital Timelines is a project consisting of a training course and support materials to help users produce materials for the benefit of people with dementia or memory loss. The project maximises the use of developments in ICT with regards to digital devices and associated progress in consumer access, to produce a training programme and bespoke digital resources which can encapsulate memory stimulating information from a variety of media to benefit a person with dementia or memory loss and their family, friends and carers. The project allows practitioners in care and family members to produce an effective resource which is at very little or no cost to the persons with dementia or memory loss. The project encapsulates a research element consisting of national research and an international comparison of the five partner countries (UK, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey & Sweden) which informs the development of a training package, easily transferable and accessible to individuals, carers, families and professionals alike. The training package can be cascaded on a one-to-one basis or in small groups and is available as an eCourse. This is supported by examples of Digital Timelines Videos (called a Personal Digital Memory - PDM), as well as an instructional resources / video, to ensure that along with many other complementary support interventions, the products are universally and freely available as Open Educational Resources (OER). As well as the National Research and International Comparison Report the project trained 72+ participants who in turn created example videos and instructional videos. The resources are available in the partner languages as well as English.Dementia is a universal phenomenon which is increasing at an exponential rate. It is estimated that there are currently 1.04 million (1.65%) sufferers in the UK, 270,300 (1.26%) in Romania, , 32,000 (1.57%) in Slovenia, 331,000 (0.44%) in Turkey and 173,000 (1.82%) in Sweden. (Alzheimer Europe 2012 stats) There are more than 10 million across Europe and 44 million globally. Directly linked to longevity, this is set to double over the next 20 years. Until, indeed if, dementia becomes curable, it represents an increasing cost challenge for governments, as well as an increasing social and moral challenge for humanity. These challenges therefore create demand by governments, communities and families for new, innovative and low- cost services which help to manage progress of the disease, maintain quality of life and help people stay away from expensive chronic support services This means that care for people with dementia is a growth industry and offers economic opportunities for European workers. Furthermore, the scope to use increasingly sophisticated ICT to help people with dementia is likewise a growth field, with new assistive technologies regularly coming on stream. Already, there are a variety of therapies accessible to dementia carers, family, friends and professionals , which help the person with dementia to sustain activity of the memory function and maintain good quality of life for as long as possible eg. compilations of favourite songs; written and photo-annotated 'life story' personal accounts.In the initial exploration of the value of and demand for the outputs of this project, organisations across the partnership have been encouraging and supportive. The immediate impact of the project is that people/carers/family, those in direct contact with people with dementia or memory loss have been trained in the production of the PDMs across Europe, as well as being trained to train others in a workplace situation. This allowed users to appreciate how they, or those trained by them, can improve the life of a person with dementia by stimulating memories in a technical and multimedia way. A number of third sector organisations and SMEs providing Health & Social Care have benefited from knowledge exchange opportunities that might not otherwise be easily available via our Community of Practice and activities, by being able to share best practice and adopt the project learning materials as part of their programmes of CPD and education and training. Sustainability is an area where we already have very positive responses from internationally respected organisations including Alzheimer's UK. Our sustainability plans, and our reach at local, regional, national and EU level is one of the major strengths of this project. We envisage that this project will sustain itself indefinitely and will generate a whole raft of similar interventions which focus on the individual.

"<< Background >>Background of the project:(i) Grandparents spend a lot of time with their grandchildren- A pan-European survey, delivered under the initiative Grandparenting in Europe, shows that 58 percent of grandmothers and 50 percent of grandfathers provide regular or occasional childcare for their grandchildren aged 15 or younger. - Grandparents play a vital role in children's wellbeing. Research from the University of Oxford, conducted by Professor Ann Buchanan, revealed that children who had a strong relationship with their grandparents had fewer emotional and behavioural problems than those without.(ii) The Elderly and Mobile Phone Use- Technologies and services are essential for the elderly, to improve their quality of life (United Nations. Life Expectancy and Mortality at Older Ages).- MDP’s sustainability 2020 report reveals the rapid progress of IT and, in particular, the high use of mobile phones by different age groups mean that the elderly are willing to use them more often and more naturally.- It is stated in the Access and Use of ICT to Promote Active Ageing, that the use of the mobile phone is positively associated with the social activity of the elderly.(iii) Lack of tools to promote creativity and empathy - According to a NESTA Everyday Innovation survey, creativity is an integral part of modern life, and a well-designed creativity training programs typically improve performance in all fields.- According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity are the three most important skills a person will need to thrive.(iv) There are limited mobile apps to help parents and grandparents spend it in a quality and creative manner- The market is overflowing with the mobile apps that support creative process among art and design professionals, while there are no apps that would support creativity and empathy learning among parents and grandparent in local languages.Due to the lack of relevant studies we have conducted a short survey in the preparation phase of the project. In Slovenia we obtained answers from 22 parents and 21 grandparents, in Croatia, from 48 parents and 34 grandparents, in Montenegro from 18 parents and 24 grandparents, and in Serbia, from 62 parents and 57 grandparents.Main findings in avarage for all 4 countries:•87% parents and 64% grandparents use the mobile phone regularly•89% parents and 59% grandparents answered that they lack adequate innovative services in the local language that would support them in spending quality free time with their children<< Objectives >>General objectives of the project:•Contribution to the non-formal and informal learning of adults with a creative and empathy component to help young generations improve their creativity and to improve their empathy for vulnerable groups. Project results will give parents and grandparents knowledge, skills, competences and tools to promote creativity (storytelling, illustration, sound creation, animation creation) and empathy among children (content of the Twisted Tales). •Contribution to the non-formal and informal learning of adults to acquire new skills and competences, including digital competences.Parents and especially grandparents will - by using the project results - obtain digital skills and competences on how to find, download, create accounts and use mobile apps, how to upload different files, and share them on social media. •Contribution to social inclusion of vulnerable groups through the arts, by fostering innovative participatory and intercultural dialogue approaches.Project will contribute to social inclusion of vulnerable groups due to increased empathy among not only children but also their parents and grandparents.•Contribution to improved knowledge, skills and competences of parents and grandparents for support for children within distant learning due to improved digital skills of parents and grandparents.Specific objectives of the project are:- To (re)create, localise and digitalise four (4) fairy tales as a tool for parents and grandparents for creativity and empathy promotion among children,- To develop online platform and mobile application,- To develop tutorial package ""Twisted Tales"" for parents and grandparents,- To establish an online UGC (user generated content) exhibition.<< Implementation >>Within the project we will:-Develop the intelectual results-Implement mutual learning activities-Implemet project meeting-Monitor project iplementation-Disseminate the project results-Evaluate the project results and impact<< Results >>During the project implementation we will develop the following intellectual outputs:IO1: Detailed analysis of the final beneficiaries’ groups’ needsIO2: Tales creation, digitalisation and localizationIO3: Twisted Tales web and mobile application for creativity and participatory creationIO4: Tutorial package “Twisted Tales” for parents and grandparentsIO5: “Twisted Tales” exhibition and online archive of user generated stories (UGC)In each participating country there will also be a multiplier event with at least 50 participants.Within project management the following outputs will be developed:- Project web pages (1x)- Promotion of the project results on social media of the partners (at least 10 by each partner)- Promotion of project results on relevant platforms (EPALE, E+, ChildHub,…) and web pages of associate partners- Information of media about the project, it’s results by e-mails (at least 50 reporters in each country)- Individual presentation of the project results to media (at least 10 in each participating country)- At least 80 publications in different media in the participating countries- Individual presentation of the project results to organizations outside the partnership that offer initial and continuous education for teaching and support professionals in primaryschools and kindergartens (at least 3 in each country)- Gathering data for evaluation of the project results and impacts (1x)"

<< Objectives >>-Develop personal digital and linguistic skills-Offer to the beneficiaries IT tools to communicate online, even on a daily basis-Offer useful tools to access the world of information, opportunities and knowledge that citizens have particular need at this time-Cooperate between partners by exchanging information and experiences in lifelong learning previously acquired, with particular reference to digital and linguistic education.<< Implementation >>There are 5 activities foreseen: Project management, Setting up a videoconference, Computer literacy for adults, Foreign languages and Digital library. The activities will try to include the greatest number of people over 65. Each partner will bring to the project their knowledge and experience gained in the past years, with the exchange of information and experiences we will try to encourage the evolution and quality of lifelong education.<< Results >>Involve 335 people over 65; who are able to move with more confidence, fluency and sensitivity in all areas and new situations, solving them with the methodology acquired during the project; to implement the number of members of each PP involved with the quality and innovation of the project proposal of 33 courses and with the promotion of the project; more collaboration and cooperation between PPs, intergenerational collaboration, long-term sustainability.

<< Background >>The mental health challenges that have erupted due to the quarantine and social distancing measures as a result of Covid-19, accentuated the need to introduce new technologies which will ensure their social participation and inclusion in the digital age. Active ageing and social wellbeing importantly, stand as an integral part for a progressive and inclusive society. WHO estimates that between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%, emphasizing the need to create innovative solutions which will curb social challenges and mental health challenges the population faces. Considering the increasing number of the growing population of the elderly and the rising phenomena of social isolation and loneliness among seniors in the EU, promoting wellbeing can prevent social isolation among seniors. According to AGE Platform EU, seniors are more likely to develop depression symptoms which lead into higher risks of suicide compared to other groups of population. To this extent, the 2019 Active Ageing Index stressed that the capacity of seniors to socially participate is strongly connected with receiving education, e-literacy and mental health. EC notes that in 2019, 18% of adults in Europe face social isolation while the majority refers to the seniors’ population who find obstacles in engaging in social activities due to social and health constraints. The global pandemic has put into a sharp relief the necessity to develop ICT-technologies which promote mental health, education and lifelong learning for seniors in relation to the digital transformation to ensure their social and digital participation. Moreover, WHO Europe demonstrates that the mental health crisis in Europe refers to the anxieties around virus transmission, the psychological impact of lockdowns and self-isolation, financial worries and social exclusion which all will have a long-term impact and far-reaching. For instance, mental health services have been stretched and reduced as a result of pandemic and there is a decreasing likelihood that they will be able to be reconstructed soon. Based on the EU Agenda for Adult learning ‘highlights the need to significantly increase adult participation in formal, non-formal and informal learning whether to acquire work skills, for active citizenship, or for personal development and fulfilment’.However, digital illiterate seniors find it more difficult to operate their smart phones, have lower computer skills and a different approach should be developed when introducing seniors in modern gadgets as they were mostly not introduced to e-learning from an early age. Seniors face a number of challenges, such as they mostly live alone, face mobility restrictions and one of their aspirations as reflected in the Active Ageing Index, is to live independently securing social inclusion and civic engagement.Moreover, the EU Committee of the Regions stresses the importance of recognising the value of volunteering and its capacity to increase the performance of the European economy. Eurostat emphasises the role of seniors in society and the necessity to bridge the generational gap by the development of opportunities to exchange ideas. The Treaty of Lisbon moreover made inter-generational solidarity an explicit aim for the functioning of the EU. The Council endorsed in 2012 the Guiding Principles on Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations which focuses on promoting participation in society including social inclusion, lifelong learning and senior volunteering. The project emphasises the need to develop a digital driven intergenerational programme based on volunteering principles and advance the competences of professionals working with seniors to be able to support their mental health through digital means.<< Objectives >>The main objectives are to ensure social inclusion, civic engagement, active participation in the society and mental wellbeing of seniors. The project seeks to address the need of developing innovative tools which will promote active ageing of seniors as well as upgrade the services provided by adult educators and organisations that work directly with the group. Specifically, the project aims:-To promote innovative methods and pedagogies used by adult educators -To develop learning materials and tools as well as actions that support the effective use of ICTs in E&T-To enhance access, participation and learning performance for seniors-To promote recognition as well as transparency and comparability of learning outcomes ant to promote innovative solutions for the recognition and supporting the validation through the use of OPEN BADGES-To promote social inclusion through innovative and integrated approaches by enhancing mental health of seniors facilitate social cohesion.-To enhance ownership of shared values, equality, social inclusion, diversity and non-discrimination through acquiring mental health skills and competences.-To support and assess new approaches by reducing disparities in accessing and engaging with formal and non-formal education regarding the introduction and provision of mental health intervention programmes.-To encourage the establishment of sustainable links between organisations active in education, training, health community and the society at large including at the local and the regional level.-To facilitate intergenerational learning between older and younger generations;-To offer the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and knowledge which will impact on the wellbeing of seniors and younger generations will engage in volunteering programmes;-To promote digital skills for seniors in order to enable their integration in the digital era;-To increase social participation, digital inclusion and prevent loneliness and mental health challenges among seniors-To enable active citizenship and civic engagement of seniors in today’s digital era-To curb the challenges erupted by Covid-19 especially in regards to social isolation and rise of anxiety and exclusion of seniors-To promote volunteering ideals for Younger generations by providing motivations and engagement in volunteering work-To address the need of digital transformation through development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity for adult educators and seniors through the development of a PROGRAMME that targets ADULT EDUCATORS and professionals working directly with seniors such as experts, social workers, gerontologists etc. -To advance digital and life-skills skills and competences of all the population through the e-ACADEMY and the MOBILE APP to be developed.<< Implementation >>The project aims to design, develop, pilot-test and offer an IT solution in the form of a web platform and a mobile application that will address the societal challenges such as social isolation-loneliness, mobility, mental health, wellbeing, LLL and distress of seniors enlarged by the current global pandemic, as well as, offer the opportunity to create a sustainable volunteering and mentoring system for the elderly with the support of younger people ensuring distance learning for digital inclusion. Toward this aim the following activities will be implemented:R.1-A1. Map out the current programmes offered to seniors at the regional level which promote mental wellbeing through digital means during the pandemic-A2. Develop synergies with programmes’ providers-A3. Create the Handbook-Methodology in which the Programme will be based on to guide stakeholders of the main elements of the programme and how should be usedR.2-A1. Create the Competence Framework for Active Ageing which will identify the main topics and skills that seniors need to obtain and to be included in the Educational Pack -A2. Develop the Educational and Active Ageing Activities Pack for both Seniors and Adult Educators, YP (Volunteers). -A3. Prepare the Blended Professional Development Course for Adult Educators and Capacity-Building Training for volunteers R.3-A1. Partners will create the e-Academy to include the project results in R2-A2. Develop the MOBILE APP in which the elements of recruitment – between seniors and volunteers-A3. Develop the e-learning platform for YP and Adult Educators. R.4-A1. Create the Campaign at the local and regional levels by using social media and traditional media tools-A2. Design the STRONG2GETHER TOOL KIT for setting up the Programme in the Community. -A3. Evaluate the Programme to adult educators, YP and Seniors-Conduct an upscaling and policy recommendation pack Moreover, the Train-the-Trainer activity (C1) will provide the opportunity for trainers within partner organisations to gained adequate and efficient knowledge on the guidelines of using the programme.<< Results >>Through the above-mentioned activities the following results are anticipated:R.1 -THE STRONG2GETHER INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMME: HANDBOOK –METHODOLOGY to guide on how the programme can be used by organisations. It will include the criteria to become as volunteer, the validation methods, the role of EXPERTS (organisations that supervisor the recruitment process between Young People and Seniors). R.2 -The STRONG2GETHER EDUCATIONAL AND ACTIVE AGEING ACTIVITIES PACK which will be based on the COMPETENCE FRAMEWORK for seniors sessions to improve mental wellbeing of seniors will be developed. -The BLENDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE FOR ADULT EDUCATORS AND CAPACITY TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS to include didactic guidelines for teaching seniors and a course for volunteers to be equipped with skills and competences to be able to teach seniors new skills through volunteering.R.3 -The MOBILE APP to integrate the recruitment tool between volunteers and seniors -The e-learning platform for volunteers and Adult Educators -The e-ACADEMY platform for SENIORS -A Manual of how the these can be usedR.4 -The TOOL KIT and a Policy recommendation pack will be developed to identify currents needs and gaps in the EU agenda of Active Ageing regarding digital transformation programmes for seniors in the age of Covid-19.The TOOL KIT will include the following:•In-service training of adult educators for professional development focusing on how digital tools can be used to advance active ageing support to seniors•e-Mapping TOOL with digital storytelling videos/written content of seniors and adult educators and providers’ names •Handbook-Methodology in which the Programme is designed (R1)•Competence Framework of Seniors and Educational Pack•BLENDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE FOR ADULT EDUCATORS AND CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS•e-Learning platform for Volunteers and Adult Educators, e-ACADEMY for seniors and a MOBILE APP•Web-RadioAmong the outcomes are:-Advance the programmes offered to seniors for increasing mental wellbeing and civic engagement-Upgrade the profile of adult educators working with seniors such as physicians, social workers, trainers, gerontologists etc.-Provide information on the programmes provided at an EU level which will help interested parties to find relevant information and look up for the providers-Define the topics of importance and interest to be included in the ACTIVE AGEING PACK, the TRAINING COURSES for Adult Educators and Young People -Improve civic engagement of seniors through intergenerational learning opportunities that will be placed through the MOBILE APP -Offer the opportunity to Young People to be professionally developed through acquiring the VOLUNTEER Open Badge, their involvement in the organisation of events, live-shows, podcasting etc. and at the same time enhance volunteering ideals.