Description
Project is focused on counteracting social, public and digital exclusion of approx. 300 SCs, with the development of 5 Kolping Centres (KCs) in three voivodeships, as local activity support facilities for people aged 60+ through self-help groups, self-organization, legal and civic advice, computer courses, and transfer of good practices from a successful Ukrainian Partner. It is planned that 5 self-sufficient KCs operating on a volunteer basis in 3 dimensions will be established: a) SCs for other SCs–self-help and self-organization, min. 50 people; b) SCs for the community–community activation through campaigns and civic advice for at least 300 people; c) SCs visiting other SCs – experience sharing during KC congress–40 people. Best practice sharing is guaranteed thanks to Project Partner. The project is innovative because it leads to community activation of seniors through self-help, self-organization, and application of democratic mechanisms to prevent exclusion of people aged 60+.
Summary of project results
"The ratio of 65+people in Poland in comparison to the number of people aged 15-64 is going up, and in 2030 is supposed to reach 36% (Eurostat 2010). Social, economic and administrative mechanisms are failing to keep up with this demographic change and seniors are at risk of social exclusion. Their civic participation level is very low: volunteering in the 65+ age group is at a mere 9% (GUS 2012 - Central Statistical Office for Poland), and the level of e-exclusion is high - 65,3% of people aged 55-64 and 88,9% in the 65-74 age group (GUS 2010). The aim of the project was to counteract exclusion of seniors through the establishment of Kolping Senior Clubs offering support for local activity of 60+ persons. Under the project 5 Senior Clubs were opened. Senior engaged themselves in activities addressed at local community. They learned about local democracy mechanisms and tools. They acquired computer skills and broadened their legal knowledge. They also had the opportunity to exchange experiences with the Ukrainian partner. Each of the Clubs organized personal development and motivation workshops (64 participants in total). Support of a coach was also provided to work on the volunteering program. A volunteering group was established (5 groups totaling 99 people) and a two-part training course on the “Mechanisms and tools of local democracy"" (63 participants in total) was organized. Beginners and intermediate computer courses for 126 people were also delivered. Legal and civic consultation centers for seniors were set up and 266 people used the services within individual (674 counsels) and group counseling (20 workshops). Senior Citizens Day was organized, during which Ukrainian and Polish experiences of working for seniors were presented and workshops on the cooperation between senior clubs and Ukrainian Third Age Universities were provided (49 participants). Seniors from 6 locations benefited from the project activities (321 people). The project was rolled out in partnership with the Ukrainian organization. Partners exchanged experiences regarding senior activities and have planned future cooperation."
Summary of bilateral results