The world changes swiftly nowadays, so adapting to the new ways of living, communicating and learning can be quite challenging for adults. Despite all the challenges and novelties that we encounter, we can learn a lot if we look back on who we are and where we come from. We believe that we can be successful if we are able to mix our previous experiences with new knowledge.

Intergenerational learning has always been a way of transferring knowledge, experiences, values and wisdom from older to younger generations within families and it was invaluable for society. Seniors can be very active and useful members of society because they represent a valuable source of knowledge, which can have an immense influence on the development of younger generations. Children can learn from life experiences and wisdom of seniors and in that way become more prepared to face numerous challenges and decisions in their lives. On the other hand, younger generations, for example, know a lot about new technologies and can help seniors with their digital competencies.

Nowadays, transfer of knowledge and experiences can take place in many forms through intergenerational projects, volunteering, and mentorship or simply by spending time together and talking to each other. In that way, strong bonds and respect between different generations are established, thus enhancing social cohesion and inclusion.

For that reason, School Center Slovenske Konjice-Zreče, SIC – adult education and counselling, coordinates an Erasmus+ project Solving the intergenerational puzzle INTER-PUZZLE. The project is EU funded. Our project partners are Universidade Sénior de Évora from Portugal, KPMS from the Czech Republic and EduVita from Italy.

A good basis for our future project activities was set at the kick-off meeting and we are currently collecting stories of adults aged 55+. We want to record stories from adults aged 55+ from four European countries because we do not want them to be forgotten. The stories we have collected so far depict various experiences and wisdom seniors have gained through overcoming numeorus challenges, yet they remain active, skilful and curious. Those stories will be a basis for developing tools to be used to improve and promote intergenerational learning activities for adults. Intergenerational workshops for adults aged 18 to 55+ will be organised where participants will be able to meet, communicate and develop their skills. Project activities will contribute to the activation of adults to participate in intergenerational learning activities. It will promote the importance of life-long learning as well as the benefits of becoming or remaining active regardless of one’s age. Tools will be developed for use by individuals, teachers, adult educators and wider public to promote intergenerational learning. This project will strengthen cooperation of relevant organisations at the local, national and transnational level. The project is funded by the European Union.

Let’s collect stories and share experiences, because it is always the right time for new knowledge.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.