29.03.2022

Erasmus+ project helps tackle the loneliness of the elderly

EAEA is taking part in newly launched Erasmus+ project COPE which examines how cultural activities can alleviate the loneliness and social isolation of older people.

During the lockdown period of COVID-10 pandemic, older people with limited opportunities for social exchange were especially affected by loneliness. European-level research shows that about 25% of the participants who engaged in cultural prescribing felt lonely only half of the time compared to the time prior to the activities.

This is where the “Culture on Prescription” approach comes in. Building on the concept of social prescribing, already well established in the UK and Ireland, “Culture on prescription in Europe” (COPE) project examines how newly developed cultural activities in adult education can address the loneliness and social isolation of older people.

Supported by the Erasmus+ funding programme of the European Union and led by Germany’s Institute for Applied Social Research, Social planning and Policy Advice (ISIS) in Frankfurt am Main, project partners from Portugal, Romania, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany will join forces in COPE.

The project will implement COPE pilot courses to evaluate how cultural activities and mental health promotion can best be combined, and provides older people with a personalized “Cultural Prescription” for taking part in new and custom-made activities. These pilot activities will be developed locally by the COPE project partners together with professional facilitators with expertise in arts and culture.

More information about COPE:
Christin Cieslak, christin.cieslak [at] eaea.org

co-funded by Erasmus+ programme logo

28.11.2023 financing

Decreasing funding levels - and yet expecting miracles?

Recent reports from EAEA’s members reveal that Adult Learning and Education is facing considerable financial cuts in many European countries. Notably, Sweden and Finland which are known for their traditionally strong support of non-formal ALE, are now facing severe cuts.

27.11.2023 cooperation

Connecting research, policy and practice: a new collaboration brings EAEA and ESREA closer together

A memorandum of understanding, signed last summer by EAEA and the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA), aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two organisations. EAEA’s Gina Ebner and ESREA’s Marcella Milana reflect on the past and future activities that brought both networks closer.

21.11.2023 advocacy

We need skills for the labour market - and beyond!

EAEA welcomes the great interest that the European Year of Skills (EYS) has brought to skills and ALE, as we believe that this area is of enormous importance for the future of Europe. Six months into the thematic year, it is time to take stock, shedding light on the connection between skills and work – and looking at how we can go beyond skills for the labour market.