Strengthening Capacities to Support Active Ageing in the Conditions of the 21st Century - Peer Mentoring Program for People 50+

As a result of demographic changes in the 21st c. new needs and demands have appeared, to which it is necessary to react. The project aimed to respond to the needs in the field active ageing, where modernisation of different services, integration into the digital world, promotion of social involvement is necessary. However, the pandemic has recently established unprecedented situations and caused a drastic change of lifestyle. It brought challenges and tests for the people 50+. We saw the need to specialize services older people need: an age-friendly approach in counselling, education services and working life. Based on the needs analysis implemented in the partner countries we saw that peer-mentors can have an extremely important role in the facilitation of active aging, in lifelong learning, in the promotion of maintaining employment and in the nurturing of social relationships. Taking into consideration the expectations of the 21stc. project partners aimed to demonstrate that through participation in the Peer Mentor Training based on international experience utilizing fitting methods and techniques peer-mentors can enhance their skills and transfer their experiences in a way that is suitable for the people 50+.

Our target group: Experts, people 50+ with professional knowledge, working experience and competences, who are sufficiently enthusiastic, confident, motivated and interested in becoming a peer mentor, also mentees – people 50+, who are interested in receiving help from more experienced peers in various fields. Our objectives were: To enhance the competences of peer mentors for individuals aged 50+, aligning with the demands of the 21stc. through innovative solutions and digital technologies; To aid with the employment and lifelong learning of individuals aged 50+, as well as other socially beneficial activities, with the goal of attaining the highest attainable independence and quality of life. To cultivate the skills and competences required for successful aging among individuals aged 50+, fostering a dignified, active, and sustainable lifestyle in the 21stc. that is accomplished through a flexible blended-learning approach built upon contemporary peer mentoring practices; To promote and enhance international cooperation among organizations offering social, counselling, mentoring, and educational services for adults, as well as to establish partner networks.

All project partners implemented all activities that were planned in the application and 1 more activity was added to R2 -A6 "Preparation of the training materials in the form of blended-learning and additional interactive exercises". Partners received an approval from NA and created a book with practical exercises in pdf form using the money that was saved the kick-off meeting that was organized online due to COVID19 restrictions. The following activities were implemented: 1.Preparation activities (including SC meeting); 2.Management and Reporting activities, e. g., monitoring and reporting documents and instruments were created, Internal Quality Management plan was prepared. Internal quality management reports generated; dissemination activities monitored. Dissemination plan was developed and implemented. Document sharing platform on google drive as well as email account for the project partners was created. 3. All TPMs took place (Kick-off – was held virtually in Germany, and TPM2 in Portugal, LTT in Hungary, TPM3 in Poland, TPM4 in Bulgaria, in contact mode). Additional 6 online meetings were held to monitor the progress (26/4/2022; 17/1/2023; 9/2/2023; 10/3/2023; 26/7/2023; 8/9/2023 https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1riUrhTEoCPgSRF3MW2SRoUvjOfHXCmjc Agendas, meeting minutes and necessary documentation was prepared in each case. 4. In relation to Intellectual outputs content development the activities are listed in relation to the results and implementation activities: R1-A comparative study What Works in the field of Mentoring Services for People 50+? - comparative study to determine the efficacy and an extract in the form of an article was developed, the article was translated into partner languages and shared on EPALE and professional websites Detailed description of the activities is displayed below: R1/A1. Preparation of the comparative study methodology: R1/A2. Collection, sorting, comparison, analysis and synthesis of data R1/A3. Identifying beneficial practices and common challenges R1/A4. Preparation of the final version of the comparative study “What Works…” R1/A5. Publishing the comparative study “What Works…” (in extract) in professional journals, periodicals and online), R2 – Peer Mentor Training “Peer Mentors of the 21st Century for People 50+” programme was developed and additional A6- Preparation of the training materials in the blended-learning form and additional interactive exercises was added. The training course can be downloaded from the project's website https://peer-train.org/training-course/ The following activities were implemented: R2/A1. Creation of a design/structure of the Peer Mentor Training R2/A2. Development of the draft version of the Peer Mentor Training R2/A3. Optimization of the content of the Peer Mentor Training R2/A4. Recruitment of participants in the Peer Mentor Training and pilot testing R2/A5. Production of the final version of the Peer Mentor Training, R2/A6 Preparation of the training materials in the blended-learning form and additional interactive exercises. R3 -Mentoring Programme for People 50+ in the form of Blended-Learning; Activities A1-A5: R3/A1. Development of draft curriculum R3/A2. Preparation of the pedagogical template R3/A3. Creation of the mentoring programme/educational materials R3/A4. Define evaluation methods to test the training programme, assess educational materials R3/A5. Recruitment of participants in educational activities and pilot testing, preparation of the final version R4 - Interactive On-line Platform. Activities A1-A6: R4/A1. Distance learning tools selection R4/A2. Customization of the LMS R4/A3. Population of the LMS with educational materials in all partner languages R4/A4. Preparation of an Electronic Platform for sharing and exchanging experience between professionals in the field of mentoring, counselling and training services for people 50+ at national and international level R4/A5. Creation of the Activity Room – online community space, finding volunteers, conversations, targeted lectures, connecting mentors with mentees in different topics R4/A6. Finalisation of the Interactive On-line Platform based on feedback obtained from pilot testing. Project website PEER-TRAIN 50+ can be reached via the following link: https://peer-train.org/ (peer-train.org), LMS PEER-TRAIN Learning Center https://learning.peer-train.org/login/index.php (peer-train.org). 5. All materials were translated into partner languages. 6. Multiplier events and dissemination activities: FB page was created https://www.facebook.com/PeerTrain50plus ; Promotional videos of the project for social media platforms and dissemination was produced and translated into all partner languages and disseminated, Videos are also available via - Google Drive https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1TtmX76UVLx7A3vtqB510oJ1NC4XgzT2A

R1- A comparative study What Works in the field of Mentoring Services for People 50+? - comparative study to determine the efficacy The Study - PEER-TRAIN" 50+ (peer-train.org) (74 pp.) that contains important information for project development, was carried out by all partners of PEER-TRAIN. An extract was translated and shared in all partner languages -DE, BG, PL, HU, SK, PT. R2 -Peer Mentor Training programme “Peer Mentors of the 21st Century for People 50+” in the blended-learning form was developed and additional interactive exercises were created. The course involves the following modules and content: 1. Peer Mentoring Methodology 1.1. What is Peer Mentoring? 1.2. Who is a Peer Mentor? Personality – knowledge, skills, competences of Peer Mentor in the 21st century for 50+ 1.3. Roles of Peer Mentor 1.4. Benefits of Peer Mentoring for Mentors and Mentees 2. Mentees – People 50+ 2.1. SWOT Analysis of the Target Group (people 50+) 2.2. Specifics of the Education of Participants 50+ and Practical Methodological Recommendations 2.3. Career Counselling for People 50+ 2.4. Participation of People Aged 50+ in the Labour Market 3. The Mentor-Mentee Relationship 3.1. What is Effective Mentor-Mentee relationship? 3.2. Stages of the Mentor-Mentee Relationship 3.3. Establishing Trust and Setting Boundaries 3.4. Problem Solving – Conflict Resolution 4. Effective Communication and Ethics 4.1. Communication Tools in Peer Mentoring Services 4.2. Management of Cultural Diversities 4.3. Ethical Issues in Peer Mentoring Services 4.4. Practical Tips for Peer Mentors 5. Peer Mentoring Activities 5.1. Goal setting 5.2. Individual Peer Mentoring 5.3. Group activities in Peer Mentoring Services 5.4. Motivation Strategies for Active Ageing (for people 50+) 6. Innovative Forms of Peer Mentoring Services in Online Space 6.1. Communication and Sharing Tools 6.2. Selecting the Right Communication and Sharing Tools 6.3. Creating and Sharing Digital Content 6.4. Personal Data Protection – GDPR The training course in all partner languages with a book of interactive practical exercises can be downloaded from the website Training Course - Peer-Train 50+ (peer-train.org). R3 -Mentoring Programme for People 50+ in the form of Blended-Learning activities was developed. Each module keeps to the structure decided by the project members, each has the section of Quiz, preparation for the group session and answers, literature and references. The programme contains the following modules: 1. PREPARATION FOR THE LABOUR MARKET IN THE 21ST CENTURY 1.1. Introduction 1.2. What trends in the field of work are waiting for us in the 21st century? 1.3. Key competencies 1.3.1 Key competencies of the 21st century 1.3.2 Key competences for the labour market 1.4. Education and preparation for the labour market 1.5. Planning a job search strategy 1.5.1 Identification of strengths and weaknesses 1.5.2 The definition of the target job 1.5.3 Exploration of jobs 1.5.4 Getting in touch with the employer 1.5.5 Preparation of CV 1.5.6 Cover letter 1.5.7 Job interview 1.6. Questions 1.6.1 Quiz 1.6.2 Preparation for group session Attachment No. 1: Quiz answers 1.7. Literature and references 2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO PROLONG WORKING LIFE 1. Introduction 2. Entrepreneurship to prolong working life 2.1 Entrepreneurship 2.1.1 Opportunities in Entrepreneurship 2.2. Ageing and older adult entrepreneurship 2.2.1. Ageing 2.2.2. Older adult entrepreneurship 2.3. Reasons for becoming an older adult entrepreneur 2.3.1. Needs of older adult entrepreneurs 2.4. Entrepreneurial Learning for older entrepreneurs 2.5. Questions 2.5.1. Quiz 2.5.2. Preparation for group session Attachment No. 2: Quiz answers 2.6 Literature and References 3. PROMOTING INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Generational differences 3.3 Jumping the generation gap: communication between generations 3.4 Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity in the context of Family Policies 3.5 Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity in the context of social activities 3.5.1 Mentoring 3.5.2 Volunteering 3.6. Questions 3.6.1. Quiz 3.6.2 Preparation for group session Attachment No. 3: Quiz answers 3.7 Literature and References 4. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND MEANINGFUL LIFE STRATEGIES 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1. Myths about a healthy lifestyle 4.1.2. 4P medicine 4.2. Healthy eating 4.2.1. A balanced diet 4.2.2. Herbal supplements, alcohol and smoking 4.3. Sleep and rest 4.4. Keeping fit 4.4.1. Healthy habits 4.4.2. Medicine and body check-up 4.5. Meaningful life strategies 4.5.1. What did the philosophers say? 4.5.2. Choose your activities 4.6. Questions 4.6.1. Quiz 4.6.2. Preparation for face-to-face teamwork Attachment No. 4: Quiz answers 4.7 Literature and references 5. STRENGTHENING FINANCIAL LITERACY IN MODERN ERA 5.1. Introduction 5.2. The basics of economy 5.2.1. Recession, depression 5.2.2 Money and finances 5.2.3. The nature of the crisis 5.3. What do you essentially have to know? 5.3.1. Savings 5.3.2 Investments 5.3.3. Risks 5.4. Further useful tips for our financial awareness 5.5. Questions 5.5.1. Quiz 5.5.2 Preparation for group session Attachment No. 5: Quiz answers 5.6 Literature and references 6. SAFE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Light on Artificial Intelligence 6.3. Benefits and Threats of Digital Technologies 6.4. Summary and Frequently Asked Questions Internet Safety TIPS 6.5. Questions 6.5.1 Quiz 6.5.2. Preparation for group session Attachment No. 6: Quiz answers 6.6 Literature and References The material was translated into all partner languages. R4- project website and Interactive online portal were created and are functional in partner languages, LMS was customized and educational materials in partner languages were uploaded. Activity room was created. Pilot testing of R2 and R3 was performed. The electronic platform for sharing and exchanging experience between mentors and mentees, people 50+ at national and international level is ready for use.