2nd meeting with local LAGs and PEGs in the Heart of Slovenia

As part of the Interreg Danube project ELEVATE, Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia is entering a new phase of the project with pilot intergenerational activities starting in April 2026.

In the Heart of Slovenia, these activities will take place in the municipalities of Litija, Šmartno pri Litiji and Lukovica, focusing on improving the quality of life for older people and strengthening cooperation between generations.

The ELEVATE project connects Danube region countries in the EU that are cooperating together with one main aim: »to improve services for older people and people with disabilities and make them more accessible and inclusive«. In the Heart of Slovenia, the project focuses on upgrading the existing »Points for older people« where volunteers already provide support with everyday tasks and social inclusion to some extent. We are looking towards the next phase when these points will be further developed into spaces that connect different generations.

An important step in preparing the pilot activities was presenting and discussing the pilot idea to the Pensioners’ Association Šmartno pri Litiji, the Municipality of Šmartno pri Litiji, the Zasavje Regional Association of Pensioners’ Associations and other active volunteers and older people participating at the event. During this meeting, Anita Molka introduced the planned activities in the Heart of Slovenia. She presented the development of an intergenerational space in Šmartno pri Litiji, where the municipality is currently developing an intergenerational centre for older people, young people and volunteers. . She explained: »The centre will offer opportunities for socialising, learning, creative activities and mutual support in a welcoming and safe environment. The space will be shared by the Pensioners’ Association Šmartno pri Litiji, the “Point for older people” and the Youth Club, allowing regular interaction between generations and the organisation of joint activities«.

Our main aim in this phase of the project is to develop pilot activities together with our target groups and to respond to their real needs. Special emphasis is placed on co-creation, meaning that activities are not defined in advance but are shaped together with users based on their interests and wishes.

Within the pilot activities, various actions are planned, such as informal gatherings over coffee or tea, digital skills workshops, creative and handicraft activities, health and well-being activities and volunteer support for older people. These activities will strengthen intergenerational cooperation and help reduce social isolation among older people.

Participants at the presentation responded very positively and showed strong interest in taking part in the activities. At the end of the meeting and discussion, they filled in a short questionnaire and shared many useful ideas and suggestions also on paper. These inputs will be used as a basis for further development of the pilot programme.

In the coming month, the process will be expanded to Litija and Lukovica where local stakeholders and community members will also be invited to contribute. Preparations for the pilot implementation will intensify from March 2026 on when all key stakeholders will be actively involved, including older people, young people, volunteers, coordinators of »Points for older people«, local organisations and partner institutions such as Institute Oreli from Kamnik.

The pilot activities will be implemented from April 2026 to September 2027. Within this time, the »Points for older people« will gradually be upgraded into more open and connected community spaces with a strong intergenerational role. And the main aim is that successful approaches will continue even after the project ends and become part of regular local services.

This phase of the project shows how important it is to involve the local community and to bring different generations together. By working together and listening to each other, we can create solutions that truly respond to people’s needs and contribute to a more inclusive society.

Author: Jasna Presečki