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Working with Older Volunteers in Manual Intergenerational Projects
Practice recommendations (BAGSO)
of the German National Association of Senior Citizens Organisations (BAGSO) for the European promotion
of exchange and networking
BAGSO is widely networked within the scope of European projects and, within the scope of its activities
for the EWSA (European Economic and Social Committee) supports the special statement regarding
“European Civic Service” . As a member of the European Platform of Older People (AGE) , BAGSO
welcomes current initiatives by the European Commission to create and expand European programmes
and advocates
• An increased support of European networking and partnerships between senior citizen organisations
• The provision of individual mobility sponsorships for all generations, e.g. within the scope of public
voluntary services
• The promotion of committed senior citizens as active organisers and mentors in exchange projects by
means of suitable pilot projects
• The promotion of opportunities of intergenerational learning experiences in the context of voluntary
commitment in Europe by developing innovative intergenerational forms of European cooperation.
A BAGSO workshop titled “Senior Citizen Organisations as Active Agents in a European Exchange” was
therefore conducted during the TRAMP-Transfer-Conference, which aimed at illustrating the development
potential of such organisations by participating in a European exchange. The workshop highlighted
the role of the elderly and their motives as active agents in exchange projects and also considered the
intergenerational dimension.
Lively reports of committed elderly, subsequent group work and discussions on results revealed the following:
• The strong willingness of a biographically influenced commitment of the elderly for Europe
• The large openness and enthusiasm of old and young for intergenerational and intercultural project
experiences
• The major emotional profit gained by the elderly and the young in the context of joint voluntary
activities
• The tremendous potential the elderly attribute to intergenerative meetings in order to develop a better
understanding between the generations, to pass on knowledge and to reduce prejudices.
BAGSO not only sees the success of the TRAMP project in the enthusiastic feedback of all young and
elderly participants, which speaks for itself.
According to the elderly, which were able to successfully integrate their practical experiences in an intergenerational
exchange, it was the goal-oriented practical approach that made the joint learning experience
an intergenerational success. Groundbreaking methodical steps were taken, which can now be used
as a basis for further development.
It would therefore be desirable, if further experimental (pilot) projects could
• Develop the applicability of approaches (e.g. in terms of winning over young people for manual
professions),
• Test and adjust refined methods in other contexts (e.g. in connection with youth programmes regarding
culture, nature or monument protection),
•
•
Increase the demand for innovative work efforts in social projects as a new form of company com-
mitment
Continue to develop quality criteria for work efforts of the elderly in an intergenerational context.
It is therefore desirable to aim at an improved exploitation of different support programmes with regard
to the inclusion of older generations and an improved interaction of various EU support programmes
with national support programmes in order to provide them with a “transnational element”.
With regard to the new programme generation from 2013 onward, another desirable feature would involve
the expansion of the new “Senior Volunteer Projects“, rearranged as “minor cooperation projects”
(in addition to the “learning partnerships” and “workshops” ) with the purpose of creating a programme,
which offers different action possibilities, which is customised to suit the needs of an ageing generation
and which improves the contact between the generations.
Final Report 63