Digital Guides für Golden Agers im ländlichen Raum

In the context of the 'digital divide' and demographic change in Europe, the project focuses on the needs of older people to improve their digital skills and to use the opportunities of the internet for social participation and independent living. At the same time, there is a well-known gender gap in terms of digital skills among women, especially in rural areas. This worsens their position in the labour market and access to well-paid jobs. The project intends to reduce this gap.

With this project, Berufswege für Frauen e. V. (BWfF) and nowa e. V. want to actively strengthen the digital participation of older people. The aim is to support them in acquiring the digital skills to use the internet for socialising, online learning, health care, political participation, entertainment and cultural education. At the same time, the project responds to the need for women, especially in rural areas, to improve their opportunities for further education and employment by acquiring digital skills and passing on their knowledge to older people as learning facilitators. We want to create awareness among the population and among corresponding providers and suppliers that the digital transformation can only be mastered if digital readiness, skills and competences are expanded, in the city and in the countryside, among women and older people. Through this targeted promotion of digital and intergenerational inclusion, the project contributes to the creation of an inclusive society in Europe, where lifelong learning and the acquisition of digital skills are promoted.

In three partner meetings in Graz, Wiesbaden and Passau, the project partners had an intensiv share on their respective experiences in training women and older people in urban and rural areas. A special focus was on the exchange on the development, implementation and practical experiences with the curriculum "Digital Guides for Golden Agers" by BerufsWege für Frauen. For this purpose, nowa staff members had the opportunity to participate in parts of this course online and to exchange directly with the German trainers and course participants. Another focus of the project activities was the exchange with various other local actors in the field of digital services for older people from both partner countries. Both partners laid the foundations for further cooperation in a subsequent Erasmus+ cooperation. The project also included project meetings, encounter activities and dissemination activities to raise awareness among the population and stakeholders of the importance of increasing digital literacy, skills and competences in urban and rural areas, among women and older people in both countries.

The project yielded significant outcomes for both partners involved. They gained valuable insight into the digital participation of older people and women, particularly in their respective regions. This increased understanding allowed them to better address the challenges faced by these groups. In addition, both partners extensively exchanged knowledge and information about their respective course offerings. The Austrian partner, nowa, identified specific aspects of BerufsWege für Frauen's "Digital Guides for Golden Agers" curriculum that could be adapted to their own programs, benefiting their clientele. Moreover, nowa incorporated a German initiative focused on digital cultural participation for older individuals into their local program offerings. The collaboration between the two organizations extended beyond the project, leading to the development of another joint Erasmus+ project. Through this collaboration, both partners enhanced their methodological skills, particularly in Agile Project Management and Lego Serious Play. The project also facilitated the dissemination of information among relevant stakeholders in both countries, fostering new European collaborations among some of these organizations.