Erasmus+ EST project

Progetto Erasmus+ EST

What’s the Erasmus+ EST project

The Erasmus+ EST Project intends to train the organizations of each partner country on how to support the younger generations entering the world of work through the involvement of senior professionals.
The actions supported by this initiative are centered on the collaboration between Senior Volunteer NGO in Western, Central and Eastern European countries in order to promote the concept of “active ageing”, towards the younger generations.
In this case, the  associations involved are those of Germany, France and Italy who intend to transfer their experiences and knowledge to nascent associations in Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Poland and Albania.

What are the objectives of the EST project

The main objectives of the Erasmus+ EST project are:

  • transferring the practice of “active aging” from the countries of Western Europe to the countries of Eastern Europe.
    In fact, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the working and cultural context has changed a lot. People retiring now have different professional experiences than in the past. They find themselves in a reality where they can bring knowledge and may be willing to remain active in a changing world.
  • Sharing the good practices of the countries that are already implementing them, aimed at developing new skills in the associations involved.
  • Support young people who want to enter the world of work through the involvement of Senior NGO, which can activate “new members”, recruited according to criteria to be defined during the project.
  • Develop a technical and cultural basis in the mentoring sector to assist young people.

Erasmus+ EST also wants to demonstrate how useful it is to involve Senior professionals in training and tutoring actions in favor of the younger generations through the establishment of a network between Senior associations from all over Europe.

The meeting in Turin:

The founding stage of the Erasmus+ EST project took place in Turin last June when the representatives of  associations involved in the project met.
During the three-day meeting, first of all, the representatives of the associations had the opportunity to present their respective associations and the activities they carry out in the area. Furthermore, they exchanged views on the Erasmus+ EST project through knowledge exchange, active discussions, workshops and presentations.
However, there were moments of conviviality such as a visit to the historic center of Turin, a visit to the SERMIG (Arsenal of Peace) or a typical Piedmontese dinner.
All these activities have allowed the associations to forge a greater bond. That’s the basis of good cooperation for the success of the EST project,.
It will develop in 2022 and 2023 with further meetings in Bonn, Lyon and Budapest.
During these meetings, in fact, the work carried out by each association and by the group to achieve the stated objectives will be verified.

The associations involved in the Erasmus+ EST project

The Erasmus+ EST project involves many international associations as well as VSP odv:

 

Erasmus+ EST – Summary to date of the project state

Here below a summary of the Erasmus+ EST project we are carring on. December 20th 2022

Erasmus+ EST project: background

The project is coordinated by the OTECI (France) Association, with the participations of 5 other voluntary Associations, specifically: Ses (Germany), Onkentes (Hungary), Wolontariat (Poland), Seniores Lazio (Italy) and VSP (Italy). The objectives of the project are, in sequence:

  • To transfer the concept of “Active ageing” to the eastern Associations, where senior people are regarded mainly as persons who need assistance. The result should be that more seniors will join those Associations and participate to their active life;
  • To transmit seniors’ experience and knowledge to younger persons, supporting them both in the research of jobs and in the creation and development of independent activities (NewCo).

The Turin meeting

  • Dates: June 7 to June 9, 2022.
  • Location and organising Association: Turin (Italy)organised by VSP, whose central office is in Turin.
  • Participants: For OTECI, François Routhe and Gilles Moutardier; for SES, Gisela Lange; for Wolontariat, Magdalena Stalpinska, for Onkentes, Judit Tarcsai and Mariana Volgyi; for Seniores Lazio, Donato Chiarini, Anna Zambrano, Sergio Masullo and Paolo Cerullo; for VSP, Gianmaria Scapin, Marco Perini and Fabio Vezzi.
  • Objective of the meeting: to start a reciprocal knowledge among the participants by exchanging information about the Associations’ history, activities, limitations and problems. In a nutshell, to launch the creation of a team spirit, in view of the above-mentioned objectives.
  • Conclusions: the meeting was developed along the presentations of the 6 Associations on origins, missions, activities. They were followed by open discussions on the theme of creation and development of senior’s enrolment and “Active ageing” in the different Countries. These exchanges were very successful in establishing the “Team spirit”, based on reciprocal knowledge and cooperation, that was the main objective of the meeting. In the end, it was agreed a to continue the contacts, directly and indirectly, according to the programme indicated below.

The Bonn meeting

  • The Associations started exchanging experiences and methods to spread the concept of “Active ageing” and open a path towards seniors’ enrolment. This can be done, as said, both by direct contacts and by crossed information via Internet informal meetings.
  • On the basis of the above information, each Association has intensified the activity of attracting senior experts, including not only high professional or academic levels, but also craftsmen and trading operators, in view of the future transmission to the younger generations.
  • It has taken place, with all the Associations, a meeting in Bonn, on 13,14 and 15 December 2022, with the objective of assessing the steps and problems found and developing jointly possible solutions. Each Association will report its experience and will benefit from the suggestions and support of the others.
  • In the 3 days, each Association presented its activity in the area of Active ageing and of support to the introduction of the younger generation (including young immigrants) to the world of work, be it independent or within active Companies. The presentations have been exchanged and saved in each Association’s files.
  • Particular attention must be given to a German (VerA) and a French Project (Ora) in process. The objective is consistent with that of this project, but the development and the basis is different. In the case of VerA, the support is given by existing local institutions, while in that of Ora the initiative falls entirely on Senior Associations, coordinated by OTECI.
  • Very important has been the personal exchange of experiences among the Associations, to stimulate their further dissemination and evolution.

Erasmus+ EST project: next steps

  • The coordinator (OTECI/ F. Routhe) has announced a meeting in Lyon in the month of May 2023. The date will be agreed and announced during January 2023.
  • The objective will be to check the progresses and experiences in recruiting new Seniors in view of transmission of knowledge to the younger generation.
  • OTECI intends to present the development of mentoring, that in France is becoming a real tool to introduce young persons into the Society and employment.
  • It is anticipated a final meeting, towards the end of 2023, in Budapest, to present results and evaluate jointly the successes and/or problems met by each Association, with suggestions on how to proceed towards the objectives beyond the frame of the project.

The Lyon meeting

Date: 23, 24, 25 May a meeting took place in Lyon between all the associations involved in the Erasmus+ EST project.
The meeting proved to be an interesting opportunity to discuss the progress made in recent months and the objectives still to be achieved.
Next meeting in Budapest in November.

Written by Mr. Fabio Vezzi

Erasmus+ EST project: information release

 

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