Befriending for Social and Digital Inclusion

COVID-19 precipitated digital use in education, work and social services, risking the exclusion of the most vulnerable, such as senior citizens, migrants, refugees and some young people, for whom the lack of digital skills leads to isolation and loss of autonomy. BESTIE's response is not to provide more digital opportunities, but rather a community exchange that strengthens intergenerational links. The project is developing learning environments for digital inclusion to strengthen participants' social and digital skills. Senior citizens, who are often excluded from the digital age, benefit from digital skills that enable them to remain integrated in a connected society. Migrants and refugees, who are already at risk, improve their social and digital inclusion, overcoming language and technological barriers. As for young people, who are often already digitally literate, BESTIE enables them to develop communication and leadership skills, as well as a reputation as educators and community supporters, thereby improving their employment prospects and community links.

BESTIE stimulates intergenerational cooperation bringing together seniors, migrants, refugees & young people, accompanied by adult educators, to tackle digital & social exclusion. Together, they are tackling essential skills deficits. The project is part of an Inclusion and Diversity approach, and responds to 2 major challenges in adult education: enriching the quality learning offer and promoting the emergence of innovative learning centres. BESTIE offers an innovative approach that combines digital and social skills. This initiative specifically targets senior citizens, migrants and refugees, as well as young people, through participative & accessible activities that capitalise on community assets to meet the challenges of inclusion. In addition, BESTIE qualifies adult educators to provide training in digital skills, making digital progress a vector for social cohesion. This project stands out for its strategy to combat digital exclusion, not by multiplying digital opportunities, but by promoting intergenerational exchanges & genuine human links, strengthening inclusion within society.

The project had a management (coordination and meetings) and quality control process, as well as a dissemination process to help share the results and benefits with the widest possible community around the project. This has helped to: Facilitate knowledge exchange in the area of digital skills, mentoring, peer-to-peer support Form social links by enabling regular contact between social groups that would not otherwise have mutual links Linking vulnerable social groups to learning centres Produce study of 30 good practices in intergenerational and community education (PR1) Develop methodological guide for setting up clubs and found 5 intergenerational clubs (PR2) in which members can gain the confidence they need for new life skills (social, digital, intercultural, intergenerational, mentoring) Compile toolkit (30 tools) to develop digital skills in information and data literacy, communication, collaboration and problem solving (PR3) Produce learning platform that functions both as a dissemination space and an exchange tool for knowledge on digital skills and ideas on social skills (PR4) Carry out user testing of PRs by 162 educators, adult learners: senior citizens, migrants, young people and communication campaign (248 pers evt

PR1 - Study on Good Practice in Intergenerational Education: An analysis of 30 best practices in intergenerational education, focusing on innovation & creativity in response to current challenges, particularly in the context of the pandemic. This study highlights the benefits from the perspective of youth & migrants, including examples of community mentoring. PR2 - Guide and Intergenerational Clubs: Development of a methodological guide for setting up intergenerational clubs, specifying the roles of learners & mentors. 5 clubs have been launched in Europe, offering inclusive environments for learning digital, social & mentoring skills. PR3 - Toolbox: Based on the Digital Skills Framework 2.0, this toolbox provides 30 practical resources for improving digital efficiency, with a guide for educators, making it easier to pass on these skills to senior citizens and migrants. PR4 - BESTIE Interactive Learning Platform: A digital platform that serves as both a content delivery medium & interactive exchange tool, accessible free of charge to reinforce digital & social skills. These results add significant value at European level & demonstrate impacts that transcend national borders & the individual perspectives of the partners.