Meetings with local LAG and PEG stakeholders held in Sevnica (3rd)

In September 2026, the Municipality of Sevnica organised two local stakeholder meetings within the ELEVATE project, focusing on older people approaching retirement or having recently retired. The first meeting was held on 8 September at the Sevnica Youth Centre, while the second took place on 21 September at the Impoljca Retirement and Care Home. The meetings were delivered in cooperation with the Anton Trstenjak Institute of Gerontology and Intergenerational Relations.

The meetings provided a supportive environment in which participants could reflect on retirement as an important life transition and discuss how to remain active, connected and involved in their local community. The programme addressed personal interests and experience, planning for life after retirement, maintaining social contacts, physical and mental well-being, intergenerational relations, housing in later life, financial security and opportunities for active participation in the community.

The activities also supported the bottom-up and participatory approach of the ELEVATE project. Older residents, representatives of the local environment and professionals working in the fields of ageing and intergenerational cooperation contributed experiences and perspectives that will inform the further development of the Sevnica pilot action. In line with the project approach, the meetings helped strengthen dialogue between the target group, local stakeholders and experts involved in the Local Action Group and Project Expert Group processes. The project foresees close cooperation between local stakeholders and expert groups to develop tailored, place-based solutions through the active participation of older people and other vulnerable groups.

The discussions highlighted the importance of accessible public spaces, supportive community programmes, opportunities for social participation and stronger cooperation among local institutions, civil society and other community actors. These insights are relevant to Sevnica’s pilot action, which focuses on improving the accessibility of public space through the planning of a sensory park based on Design for All principles, complemented by inclusive programmes jointly developed by local stakeholders.

By connecting practical support for people transitioning into retirement with the wider participatory process of the ELEVATE project, the meetings contributed to strengthening local cooperation and ensuring that future activities reflect the actual needs, knowledge and experience of older residents. The collected inputs will be considered in the continued planning and implementation of Sevnica’s place-based pilot activities for more inclusive and accessible territorial development.

Author: Matej Jereb Sedej (Zavod Iskriva)