Digitally Competent at 55+?Absolutely a must!

Living longer has been one of the most significant advances in recent decades, alongside the Internet and other technological advances that have long been a part of our daily life. We've seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the rules, workplaces, and lifestyles of people of all ages. As a result, digitalization has permeated every area of our lives. Work, banking, and shopping are all dominated by digital technology, as are social contact, teaching, and learning.

These changes have highlighted the potential provided by technology while also reminding us of the challenges they bring, such as digital exclusion leading to greater dependency, social isolation, and loneliness, particularly among the elderly.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable. Today, they face the greatest risk of further digital isolation. Despite the fact that it may not appear so at first look, studies show that just 8% of adults aged 65 to 74 have more than basic computer abilities. And a sizable proportion of the working 55+ population must adjust to working remotely.

Even while more seniors are going online, many still don't know how to use online services for basic requirements or to stay socially connected.

As a result, the Idein Development Foundation has decided to assist adults over the age of 55 in acquiring critical digital abilities and becoming more resilient in a world dominated by digital technologies.

How are we going to do it?

We will design and conduct training on important digital abilities for gaining access to online services and communication, functioning in an online environment, and establishing work-life balance when working remotely.

We will collaborate with our Dutch technology partner, IJSFontein, to make the trainings more engaging and motivating by incorporating gaming aspects.

And to find out what's to come, follow us at

https://www.facebook.com/ideindevelopment

or www.idendevelopment.com

We are excited to begin the TEAM project - Cooperation for Thriving Elder Academy - which is co-financed by the Erasmus+ program.

Why not come along for the ride?

Soon available at www.55plus.bg!

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.

Study visit within the project ROBG-393 CivilSafety

Between 07.04.2021-08.04.2021, within the project "Integrated risk management and efficient reactions of authorities for civil safety" - ROBG-393, took place the activity "Organisation of a study visit/ workshop in Shabla".

The project is funded under the INTERREG V-A Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Program, Axis 3 "A Safe Region", Specific Objective 3.1 Improving joint risk management in the cross-border region, with a total budget of 988,827.18 euros, of which the European Union contribution is 840,503.09 Euro. The contracting authority is the Ministry of Regional Development, the Public Administration of Romania and the lead partner of the project is Ovidiu Municipality, having as partners Shabla Municipality from Bulgaria and Idein Development Foundation from Bulgaria. The main objective of the project "Integrated risk management and efficient reactions of authorities for civil safety" - ROBG-393 is to increase cross-border cooperation in the prevention and emergency intervention of the local authorities and to develop common infrastructures and services for the prevention of natural and technological disasters, in accordance with the development of the capacity to promptly respond to threats to the health and integrity of citizens, in order to ensure a safe area, and increase the standard of living of the population.

During the online study visit, the equipment and special vehicles purchased in the project were presented, but there were also exchanges of good practices regarding the experience and activity of the teams of emergency volunteers from Ovidiu Municipality and Shabla Municipality in Bulgaria, who were trained and equipped within the project. The exchanges of good practices during the study visit were aimed to strengthen the cooperation of the two volunteer teams and help the exchange of experience regarding their reactions in emergency situations such as floods, earthquakes, fires, etc. At the end of the study visit, a brochure compiling best practices will be published to support the emergency volunteer teams activity. The online version of the promotional materials was presented during the event. The online study visit was attended by representatives of partner institutions, Shabla Municipality from Bulgaria, and Idein Development Foundation from Bulgaria, as well as members of emergency volunteer teams from Ovidiu Municipality and Shabla Municipality.

Among the main activities of the project that have been carried out so far we mention: the purchase of vehicles and special intervention equipment for volunteers that will improve the prevention and intervention capacity of local authorities in risk and emergency situations in the cross-border area, the development of digital maps showing the hazards in the two regions - Ovidiu City, Romania and Shabla Municipality, Bulgaria, joint training sessions organized for the emergency situation volunteer teams from the two municipalities and organizing information sessions in schools where 200 children, 150 children from the schools within the Ovidiu Municipality area and 50 children from Shabla Municipality, were informed by the emergency situation volunteers on how to react in emergency situations. Through the informative sessions in schools, conducted by the teams of volunteers, 200 children were informed about how to react in emergency situations, which will increase public awareness of risk situations, risk management, prevention and emergency intervention, etc.

Тhe event has ended with an important discussion, incl. common reactions.

Best practices to help the volunteer

Results of the implementation of the project ROBG-393 Integrated risk management and efficient reactions of authorities for civil safety - CivilSafety

After joint trainings and seminars for exchange of experience, aimed at increasing the knowledge and confidence of the volunteer teams of the municipalities of Shabla and Ovidiu, Idein Development Foundation has created a brochure that summarizes best practices and advice for responding to emergencies.

The brochure is published in Bulgarian and Romanian and can be downloaded here:

BrochureBulgarian

.pdf

Download PDF • 116.89MB