Happy senior woman with gray hair in a red jacket and backpack outdoors, smiling with eyes closed.
Text stating 'Co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union' next to the EU flag with yellow stars in a circle on a blue background.

Active Aging

Within the project Active Aging and 4 Ways to Kick Post-Retirement Depression specialists in adult education training aim to guide senior citizens (65+) regarding an active and conscious lifestyle through a toolbox of various activities and strategies to help neuroplasticity, cognitive function and to stay engaged. The trainers play a central role, as they engage directly with the focus target group. Therefore, it is crucial for them to develop skills in providing psychological support and a firm knowledge of strategies to use.

  • The World Health Organization defines individuals aged 65 and older as “elderly.” Eurostat estimates that the share of this age group in the EU will rise from 21.1% in 2022 to 31.3% by the end of the century. Globally, 1 in 6 people will be over 65 by 2050. Coupled with increasing life expectancy, this highlights significant growth in the retired population. Retirement, often linked with old age, is seen both as a reward for hard work and a potential trigger for depression, stress, and anxiety – studies show retirees experience 28% higher depression rates than the general adult population. This is not due to aging itself but to a lack of purpose. Retirement should mark a phase of self-discovery, where individuals pursue meaningful interests beyond work. Both during and after their careers, professional guidance and self-awareness are essential for cultivating values and personal growth.

    • Enhancing Educator Competencies: Training educators to apply techniques such as Ikigai (Mindfulness Journaling, Onggi) and Rhythm Therapy to address stress and retirement depression, while equipping them with foundational skills in Urban Gardening and Meditation.

    • Expanding Access and Inclusivity: Increasing the number of retired individuals engaging with adult education institutions.

    • Fostering Learning Opportunities: Promoting participation in adult education among retired and elderly groups by helping trainees discover personal hobbies and life goals.

    • Promoting Physical and Mental Well-being: Supporting individuals in crisis to overcome challenges, learn relaxation techniques, and develop innovative educational settings that integrate nature and prioritise health.

    • Encouraging Active Aging: Facilitating urban gardening activities to promote physical activity among retirees.

    • Strengthening Community Development: Enhancing professional expertise through international collaboration, reintegrating retirees into social life, and fostering mutual cooperation and intercultural dialogue among major organisations and nations.

  • Duration

    21 months (03 Nov 2024 – 02 Aug 2026)

    Programme

    Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps

    KA210-ADU – Small-scale partnerships in adult education (KA210-ADU)

    Participating Countries

    Germany, Turkey

    Overall budget

    EUR 60.000

    EU contribution

    EUR 60.000

Project Partners

Active Aging is a project of 2 partners - Germany and Turkey - that aims to guide senior citizens (65+) regarding an active and conscious lifestyle through a toolbox of various activities and strategies to help neuroplasticity, cognitive function and to stay engaged.

  • Kepez İlçe Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü

    Antalya Provincial Directorate of National Education was established in 1948, and with a law enacted in 2008, Kepez District Directorate of National Education was separated from Antalya Provincial Directorate of National Education and became a separate institution.

    We are the most crowded national education directorate in our province in terms of the number of schools, teachers and students. There are 312 schools/institutions, 7.282 teachers and 113.949 students in the Kepez region.

    We are the top coordination unit of many institutions from kindergarten to high school, from vocational training center to public education center. As an institution, our single and most important job is to ensure that people in our district,regardless of their age, have access to formal or non-formal education.

    We are working hard to achieve this goal.

  • OAC - Outdoor Against Cancer

    Our mission is to educate and inspire people to take control of their health: to go even further than traditional healthcare and embrace a more holistic view of well-being.

    We enable individuals to be advocates of their own health through evidence-based and trustful information, trainings, and supportive communities in the four OAC Key Pillars of a Healthy Lifestyle: (1) Physical Activity & Outdoor Sports, (2) Balanced Nutrition, (3) Sustainability & Nature, and (4) Physical & Mental Well-being.

    We focus on meaningful initiatives that empower individuals to take charge of their own health.

    We certify professionals: We certify sports and health professionals on how to tailor exercise programs for cancer patients and survivors, focusing on their unique needs.

    We advocate internationally: We are strongly engaged in EU Health Policy through partnerships in EU co-funded projects and involvement in key conferences.

    We improve health literacy: At the heart of our work is transferring theoretical knowledge into practical action. Our goal is to enable individuals to make informed decisions about their health.