Solving the intergenerational puzzle

<< Background >>Solving the intergenerational puzzle INTER-PUZZLE is an Erasmus+ KA210 project that addressed the issue of the inclusion of adults into various non-formal educational activities, especially of adults aged 55+, by promoting intergenerational learning as a means of developing social, linguistic, digital, green, cultural and intercultural skills of adults, regardless of their economic, educational, geographical or any other background. We decided on the intergenerational approach as it enabled us to enrich the life-long learning activities with the opportunities for different generations to learn from each other. The project idea stemmed from the need to address the downward trends in the participation rates of adults in various forms of education and training, especially the plummeting that happened in 2020 and 2021.<< Objectives >>This project provided a space and opportunity for adults to express themselves, and their learning and educational needs in a world that nowadays changes swiftly and demands quick adaptability to the new ways of living, communication and learning. At the same time, it was a means for creating a bridge from the past experiences, traditions and knowledge to the contemporary world and younger generations and vice versa. Additionally, we aimed to empower educators to use the intergenerational approach in their work. The local, national and international networks between relevant organisations were strengthened and expanded. << Implementation >>In this project, we recorded 100 stories of adults aged 55+ from 4 EU countries: Slovenia, Italy, the Czech Republic and Portugal. These stories contain valuable life experiences and traditions. Based on these stories, we developed intergenerational tools (quiz cards) to be used by adults, educators and the general public. We organised international workshops on the topic of intergenerational learning for educators from 4 EU countries. When preparing their own intergenerational learning activities, educators can use our ready-made handouts as is or for inspiration. All project partners organised intergenerational workshops for adults aged 18 to 55+ on the topics from the stories of our story-tellers. We conducted promotion and dissemination activities on the local, national and international levels thus promoting intergenerational, life-long learning, active ageing. In our activities we stated that Solving the intergenerational puzzle INTER-PUZZLE is EU funded.<< Results >>In the course of this project, we - collected stories of 100 people aged 55+ from 4 EU countries; - prepared 4 e-booklets with their stories in 4 EU languages Slovene, Czech, Italian and Portuguese;- prepared an additional e-booklet in English, which represents a selection of stories from all 4 e-booklets; - prepared a project blog where e-booklets and other tools developed in the project are available to educators and general public;- prepared project promotional video;- developed intergenerational tool: quiz cards in 4 EU languages available on the project blog and printed;- developed educational tools: handouts for practical use for educators in various settings to be use with the e-booklets or on their own;- carried out 2 international workshops for 24 educators from 4 EU countries on the topic of IGL learning;- carried our promotional and dissemination activities (project blog, organisations’ websites, social media, local newspapers, EPALE, Erasmus+ space);- carried out 32 IGL workshops in 4 EU countries;- promoted life-long learning, active ageing and intergenerational learning at the local, national and transnational level; - established and strengthened cooperation among relevant institutions at all levels.