SEE U: SEnior Explorers of Urban environments. Older people discover the neighbourhood digitally

"<< Background >>Digital literacy is the key to the world of today. Not only do digital devices, applications and services help to keep us informed, they also enable us to participate, make use of a variety of services and stay in contact with friends and family. However, many older people are at risk of digital exclusion, and this also threatens their social inclusion. << Objectives >>The aim of the SEE U project was to contribute to narrowing the digital gap that makes older people vulnerable to exclusion and isolation. Therefore, the project wanted to encourage older people to use digital tools for their interests and their contribution to their communities and include them as experts of their own lives. To reach this goal we developed and promoted adequate learning environments and opportunities that inspire and support older learners to master the technologies that were intended to advance and connect us rather than to exclude us. The aim was to create and test learning situations that put meaning, interest and fun at the centre and that relied very much on empowerment and peer learning. << Implementation >>The SEE U project pursued a playful approach and encouraged older people to use new technologies to explore their neighbourhoods. They developed and carried out app-based walks (APP Actionbound) and pass on their knowledge e.g. about special features of their living environment, about architecture or music. The SEE U project team supported them in this process and facilitated their use of digital devices and peer learning in the group. Each learner participated in this according to his/her own interests and possibilities. In total 19 app-based and interactive walks have been developed in Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic and are available at the Actionbound Plattform, on the SEE U website and on the Austrian platform ""Los geht's Wien"". The experience gained was passed on to adult educators in webinars and meetings, and was also published. Intensive public relations work accompanied the entire process in order to make visible innovative approaches to promoting the digital participation of older people. << Results >>The SEE U Handbook summarises some of our experiences with the development and learning processes of older learners as well as some of the results of these processes – the walking tours. Whenever possible, we give examples or quotes from our participants to show the enriching experiences we all had during the project. We would like to inspire older people and adult educators to organise their own digital walks in their neighbourhood.Online ManualThe Online Manual provides a step-by-step guide for developing Actionbound tours. Participants share their tips and tricks. It can be used in trainings with older learners but also independently by tour developers. As part of the Online Manual all interactive Actionbound walks are described on the SEE U website.SEE U final eventOn October 9th SEE U partners had the chance to present our project and results at #EURegionsWeek 2024. Co-led by the European Association of Regional & Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning and AGE Platform Europe, this event showcased two years of work promoting digital skills and empowerment of older adults from the creation of walking tours."