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Description
The population of middle aged in the society is consistently increasing and their contribution to the community should not be underestimated. It is necessary to support, include and expand one''s knowledge to continuingly be an active citizen. The project “The Middle Aged in the Society as Equal Citizens” target group are 50+ year old people from Põlva and Võru county and another target group are people who wish to contribute to the well-being of the middle aged and them being active members of society. There have been two supporting training programs to help to understand and find solutions to manage well in our ageing society. As a result of the program there are more people in the neighbouring areas who are knowledgeable of their opportunities to be involved in the society and communities, feel needed and can contribute their skills and experience in the development of the local area. The project´s partner is Põlvamaa Rahvaülikool who will participate in preparing and conducting trainings.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle several important issues related to the increasing population of middle-aged and older adults and their role in society. As this demographic continues to grow, their contributions to the community are often underappreciated or ignored. Many older individuals possess valuable knowledge, skills, and experience, yet they may not have the necessary information or guidance to actively participate in societal activities.
A central issue is the lack of opportunities for older adults to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Despite feeling they have much to offer, such as time, energy, and life experiences, they may struggle to find avenues through which they can engage and make an impact. Additionally, there is a significant gap in knowledge, as many older individuals don’t know where or how to get involved in community development or civic engagement.
Another critical challenge is the inequality and exclusion that older citizens often face. The project highlights the need for initiatives that support older individuals in overcoming these barriers and help them become active and informed members of society.
The project advocates for expanding civic education and raising awareness, particularly among those over the age of 50. By doing so, it aims to empower older adults to remain engaged, informed, and involved throughout their lives, using their wealth of life experience to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
The project included a comprehensive training program that engaged a total of 45 participants from the target group. Over the course of 80 academic hours, they took part in a variety of essential lectures and practical activities designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills to engage actively in their communities. In addition to the regular sessions, there was a two-day field training in September, which involved representatives from partner organizations. These partners brought valuable perspectives that enriched the activities and helped add more depth and value to the project.
In total, more than 80 people from the region were involved in the project, including lecturers, trainers, and other contributors. These individuals not only shared their expertise with the participants but also received important feedback that helped them further develop and refine their own practices.
Moreover, over half of the participants in the mentoring training have already discovered exciting new challenges and support opportunities. For example, some have gone on to become digital mentors for older adults, demonstrating the ability of the project to inspire engagement and personal growth.
The project contributed to broadening the perspectives of the target group, enhancing their awareness, and encouraging them to pay closer attention to the events and dynamics around them. This in itself marked a major step toward greater engagement as citizens. Participants realized the importance of valuing themselves and others in order to thrive; when this inner balance is achieved, external events have less of a disruptive impact. It was also noted that while Estonians tend to be more passive observers rather than initiators, this mindset is gradually changing.
All participants were highly satisfied with the topics covered, the quality of the trainers, and the overall organization of the project. Many have expressed interest in similar initiatives in the future, inquiring if anything similar is planned. The project team also feels positive about the outcomes, as they were able to make a tangible impact on the lives of older adults, a group that often goes unnoticed due to their lack of demand for support or resources. However, these individuals still possess great potential. Looking ahead, the team has plans for continued initiatives, although the realization of these plans will depend on various factors, including the ability to secure the necessary resources and support.