Contigo ! Avec toi !

<< Background >>The Contigo-Avec Toi project took place from January 2024 to June 2025 with the aim of encouraging the active participation of young people in volunteering and in building an engaged European citizenship. Fundación Senara (Spain) and JEM – Jeunes Engagés pour le Monde (France) promoted this initiative after identifying common interests and complementarities in their youth work. The project promoted intergenerational volunteering as a tool to address population aging, one of Europe’s major social challenges. In 2024, 20.4% of the Spanish population and 21.5% of the French population will be over 64 years old. Young people took part in activities with older people, generating mutual benefits: the elderly reduced their isolation, and the young people acquired knowledge, social and civic skills, thereby improving their employability. The project strengthened young people’s civic engagement, intergenerational solidarity, and contributed to a more inclusive, cohesive Europe, more aware of its social challenges.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the Contigo-Avec Toi project was to encourage the civic participation of young people by involving them in volunteering activities aimed at caring for older people in situations of unwanted loneliness. Developed in Spain and France, it involved 100 young volunteers aged 18 to 30 and supported at least 50 older people at risk of social isolation. This objective is aligned with the European priorities of promoting the active citizenship of young people, supporting local communities and promoting intercultural and intergenerational dialogue, as well as recognizing diversity and fostering tolerance. To this end, the following specific objectives were defined:Improve the quality of the work of youth organizations, particularly in the field of volunteering with older people.Promote intergenerational exchanges, encouraging relationships of mutual learning between young people and older people.Train volunteers in basic skills in social assistance, social abilities, and equality, and foster enriching relationships.Respond to the support needs of older people.<< Implementation >>Throughout the Contigo-Avec Toi project, various activities were carried out to achieve the objectives and ensure effective implementation: kick-off meeting in Paris bringing together consortium partners and serving as initial training for the workers involved; monthly and mid-term meetings to assess progress; data collection and analysis, development of a quality and risk management protocol as well as a project management guide; training replicated for other youth workers in each partner organization and specific sessions for participating volunteers; regular visits by volunteers to older people, accompanied by activities; intergenerational activities such as musical bingo, magic, recitals, cultural outings, and support in procedures; final online meeting between volunteers from both countries; two multiplier events with 76 participants to disseminate the results; communication plan including 8 newsletters, digital and printed materials, and a website section; measurement of target groups’ satisfaction to evaluate project impact.<< Results >>The project involved 118 young volunteers (61 in Spain and 57 in France) and supported 177 older people (150 in Spain and 27 in France). The results obtained are as follows:Management and coordination: a kick-off meeting was organized in France, followed by face-to-face training for 4 youth workers, 16 monthly meetings, a mid-term meeting and a final online meeting. Common documents were developed: management guide, protocol for expenses, quality, risks, and communication. The initial training was replicated in both countries, reaching 8 additional workers.4,248 intergenerational visits with support and leisure activities were carried out. The 118 volunteers received training on volunteering, elderly care, and social assistance needs.Communication and dissemination: a total of 51 publications were produced, reaching 17,516 impressions. Promotional material for the project was created, both online and offline, and two multiplier events were organized. A project website was created and received a total of 990 visits.Satisfaction rate: the average satisfaction level among youth, seniors, and young workers is 93%.