Implementation of the ELEVATE Project in the Heart of Slovenia: Connecting Generations and Building Age-Friendly Communities

In the Heart of Slovenia, concrete activities have begun this year within the European project ELEVATE – Enhancing Multi-Level Governance for Inclusive Communities, with the aim of promoting active ageing, strengthening the inclusion of older people and creating more opportunities for socialising, cooperation and exchange between generations. The project brings together partners from 17 organisations across the Danube Region, with the goal of developing more inclusive, connected and age-friendly local communities.

In the areas of Litija, Šmartno pri Litiji and Lukovica, the existing Points for Older People are being upgraded into more open and connected intergenerational community spaces. They are intended for different generations and offer opportunities for meeting, active leisure, volunteering and the exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas. Older people, young people, volunteers, associations, schools and other organisations from the local community are involved in their development.

The First Steps Have Already Been Taken

Several important steps have already been completed in recent months. On 1 June, an introductory meeting was held with the Litija Pensioners’ Association, which took over the coordination of the Point for Older People in Litija. Zavod Oreli presented the way the Point operates, the role of the coordinator, the use of the “Prostovoljec” (“Volunteer”) application, and the activities planned within the ELEVATE project.

An important focus is also the establishment of a local volunteer network. For this reason, the first workshop for coordinators of the Points for Older People in Litija (Litija Pensioners’ Association) and Šmartno pri Litiji (Šmartno pri Litiji Pensioners’ Association) was held in Litija on 30 June. Participants explored ways of attracting new volunteers, particularly young people, involving them in activities and strengthening cooperation between generations. A workshop in Lukovica took place in September.

As part of the project, Zavod Oreli is also carrying out a series of workshops aimed at strengthening connections between the Points for Older People, volunteers, coordinators and the local community. The main objective is to jointly identify practical solutions adapted to the needs of each individual community – from recruiting new volunteers to involving young people and connecting existing initiatives.

Young People as an Important Part of Intergenerational Cooperation

Particular attention is being given to involving young people in volunteering and intergenerational activities. In July, we met with representatives of Šmartno pri Litiji Primary School, Litija Primary School, Gradec Primary School and Litija Grammar School to explore opportunities for their more active involvement in the work of the Points for Older People.

The first concrete steps followed in September, when Zavod Oreli organised workshops at schools for pupils and secondary-school students on volunteering, as well as workshops for mentors. Young people learned about different volunteering opportunities and, in particular, what such an experience can offer them as well – new experiences, greater self-confidence, social skills, independence, new acquaintances and the feeling that they can make a meaningful contribution to the community through their knowledge and time.

Intergenerational encounters can provide young people with valuable life experience and a different perspective on the world, while offering older people new ideas, energy and a sense of connection. Intergenerational spaces are therefore not intended only for older people, but serve as places where different generations can meet, cooperate and learn from one another.

What Comes Next?

Activities in Litija, Šmartno pri Litiji and Lukovica will continue for another year. In the coming months, further training sessions and workshops for coordinators, volunteers, young people and school mentors will be carried out, followed by concrete intergenerational activities in local communities.

Regions 2030+ Event

As part of the ELEVATE project, Zavod Iskriva, the Municipality of Sevnica and the City Municipality of Celje, together with partners from other European projects, organised the event “Regions 2030+: How to Build Resilient, Competitive and Investment-Attractive Communities?”, which took place on 24 September 2026 at Celjski dom in Celje.

The event brought together project partners and other stakeholders and provided a space for exchanging experiences, presenting good practices and discussing the future of local communities.

ELEVATE does not provide a single solution for all communities. Its goal is to work together with local residents and organisations to identify solutions that respond to the needs of each individual environment. In doing so, we aim to build on what already exists in local communities, connect different generations and organisations, and create conditions that allow older people to remain active and involved in the life of their community for as long as possible.

Author: Anita Molka, DCHS