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TITLE OF PROJECT

Transnational exchange for active ageing

Country:

Greece

Project Period:

2005-2007

Project Value:

€ 585.118

No of Staff Provided:

5

Origin of Funding:

European Social Fund

Second transnational exchange programme - DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Name of Client/ Beneficiary:

DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Description of Project:

"Transnational exchange for active ageing" project falls within the framework of the Commission strategy to combat social exclusion. Despite progress made during the last years, the elderly remain part of the population most at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Employment is a key factor, not only because it generates income but also because it can promote social participation and personal development and contributes to maintaining adequate living standards in old age. The project aims to design an integrated strategy for active ageing that will improve the labour market situation of older workers (55+) and enhance the capacity of, and incentives for, older workers to remain or to re-enter in the labour market. The project will also promote transnational exchange and co-operation in order to address some of the crucial aspects of demographic change management at European level and to facilitate the exchange of best practices and experiences between transnational partners.


The main objectives of the project are the following:

  • policy co-operation and exchange regarding demographic change management at European level and more specifically age management strategies that promote the retention of older workers (in risk of exclusion) in employment or their re-integration into work
  • exchange of best practice examples regarding active ageing
  • co-operation of national organisations with social partners to reform the legal and institutional framework and promote changes in behaviour
  • transnational networking and sharing of experience in order to spread knowledge on age management
  • design and promotion of an integrated age management strategy that will promote the retention of older workers in employment as well as their re-integration into work, by introducing positive measures to maintain their working capacity and skills
  • Sensitisation of workers' trade unions and other workers' bodies, in order to support the project's initiatives and participate actively in the framework of social dialogue.


The dissemination of information has been achieved through two international conferences, four exchanges of good practice workshops, the project website and the publication of the "Integrated Age Management Strategy". The project is co-funded (80%) by the European Commission - Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG.

Services Provided:
  • Desk and field research to identify the specific needs and weaknesses regarding the employability of older workers. The research will concentrate on areas, such as: motivation, training and education, working environment, flexible working hours, healthcare issues, etc.
  • Design of an integrated age management strategy to support the retention and redeployment of older workers. The strategy will cover issues such as the following:

a) Structures and practices of redeployment guidance

b) Management and behavioural approaches to occupational guidance and redeployment

c) Motivational approaches and systems.

d) Professional and ethical issues.

e) Flexible working arrangements and improvement of the working environment.

f) Training and life-long learning programmes

g) Healthcare arrangements. Investments in healthy living standards, including time for health and exercise in the regular work schedule, offer of various health and exercise alternatives, as well as the provision of individual support.

h) Promoting links between generations

  • Transnational exchange activities, including the organization of two conferences, four workshops, publications, web-site development and job-shadowing activities.

Name of Partners:
  • NGO Anti-Poverty Information Centre (BG)
  • Athens Network of Collaborating Experts (EL)
  • Labour Institute / GSEE - ADEDY Region of Western Hellas (EL)
  • Adult Education Centre of Kuusankoski/ Kuusankosken työväenopisto (FI)
  • FIM-NeuesLernen, Friedrich - Alexander - Universität Erlangen-Nuernberg (DE)
  • Bayerisches SeniorenNetzForum (BSNF) e.V. (DE)
  • University of Cyprus, Department of social and political sciences (CY)