The objective of this program, launched in 2005, is to support education and stimulate social energy of the elderly as well as intergenerational initiatives. It is mainly carried out by supporting and promoting civic initiatives of senior citizens and harnessing their potential, knowledge, experience and time to benefit communities. Support for the Third Age Universities’ environment is also provided.
Within the “Seniors in Action” competition, grants and training are offered to people over 60 years of age, who wish to carry out civic and intergenerational actions based on their own ideas. They can do it on their own or in cooperation with a young person. The competition is addressed to active senior citizens involved in activities both within the framework of Third Age Universities and in cooperation with various other organizations and institutions.
To date, 327 intergenerational projects stimulating seniors to act for the benefit of their neighborhood and promoting senior volunteering were funded. 29 projects are being carried out under the 11th round of the competition.
Within the framework of support for Third Age Universities, the program offers training, workshops and an opportunity to share experiences at national conferences for TAU representatives. In 2004-2012 all-Poland gatherings were held in Kraków, Bydgoszcz, Słupsk, Płock, Warsaw, Nowy Sącz and Katowice. In 2011-2013, the program gave its support to 14 regional meetings of the Third Age Universities. Within the program, events important to the TAU environment are also supported – the annual Third Age University Forum, which is a part of the International Economic Forum in Krynica, and the Nationwide TAU Conventions.
Since 2013, the TAU representatives have been provided with an opportunity to take part in a series of workshops “TAU for Local Communities”, which support the establishment of voluntary sections at TAUs and initiate cooperation with local communities. A total of 50 TAUs participated in five completed rounds of the project, while ten new ones are taking part in its present, sixth round.
In 2005-2008, within the grant competition addressed directly to the Third Age Universities, 131 grants were awarded for projects improving the quality of the educational offer, including computer and Internet courses enabling the Third Age Universities’ to reach a wider audience of senior citizens as well as stimulating seniors’ involvement in activities benefiting their local communities, particularly through voluntary work.
The Foundation has disbursed $4,758,590, including $262,399 for the current edition of the program.
