Adult population of Umbria Region with focus on +65
Although in Italy Active Ageing policies are obviously a component of welfare model and programs, there is a lack of cultural and political awareness on the theme, with few examples of dedicated national strategy. This is mostly due to the traditional weakness of public welfare programs. Literature on welfare/productive regimes classifies Italy among the Southern European countries, which fit the Mediterranean variant of the conservative-corporatist model, and having underdeveloped, or at least fragmented activation policy systems. The Italian welfare model is also characterized by its familistic orientation, where the role of families is typically central in the provision of care and support to their older members, rather than considering them a resource for society according to the active ageing perspective.
However, in recent years, there has been an increased attention by Italian policy makers and stakeholders on the AA paradigm, with several emerging or established good practices. It has been demonstrated that the Italian population faces different experiences of AA due to institutional, policy and socio-economic differences between regions. Furthermore, a first review of national and regional AA policies in 2016 showed an evolving policy context and interest at national and regional level.
The fight of social and economic inequalities is a fundamental theme in many regional policies that address the general population and disadvantaged groups. Regions/APs exploit mainly two operative tools for planning policies for social protection and improving equality: the Regional Social Plan, where policy priorities, strategies and interventions are set for adjusting the regional welfare, which uses its own resources and funding from the National Fund for Social Policies; the Regional Operational Programme (POR), which plans the allocation of European Structural and Investment Funds under the thematic priorities and regional societal needs. These tools are used for addressing the social protection needs of the general population, with a focus on specific groups that are more vulnerable.
The Umbria Region, through resources of the regional social fund, the regional health fund and the POR-ESF 2014–2020, developed specific actions on AA aimed for social and digital inclusion (e.g., through the “OpenUmbria” and “Gemma” projects).
Local bodies, Umbria Region, Municipalities of Umbria Region, VET and Adult Education institutions and organizations; adult training centers, policy-makers, social innovation experts, other education stakeholders and general public.
The key words of the #GEMMA project strategy were “proximity”, “accessibility” and “engagement”.
The main skills transfer method was non-directive oriented collective learning, with activities carried out in various informal locations (senior centres, youth centres, schools, and recreational clubs). This follows the principle that entertainment should reach the user, rather than vice versa, thus encouraging involvement of the people living far from the big urban centres.
The participants had the chance to choose the meetings they wanted to take part in according to their specific needs, without being trapped in a structured and pre-set path. This was very appreciated, especially within the framework of the distance activities.”
The project involved more than 70 local bodies, voluntary associations, social promotion associations, citizens committees, schools and cultural organizations.
The #GEMMA project was driven by the aim of reducing the cultural and digital gap, as well as supporting the right to lifelong learning in the small Municipalities of Umbria by promoting the access for the citizens of all ages to free formal and informal learning opportunities, by strengthening inclusion in the digital society and improve people’s quality of life through digital means. The aim was also to foster the public administration digitalisation of regional programmes with reference to the Umbria Digital Agenda.
The project aimed to “bridge the gaps” (physically and metaphorically) between small towns and rural areas and central government administrations, paying particular attention to the use of public utilities and e-government services.
The above mentioned goals, defined long before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, became even more urgent as the lockdown period and health emergencies influenced people’s daily routine by intensifying social isolation and exclusion. Especially during that period, #GEMMA aimed to develop common digital skills and culture, by meeting citizens’ increasing digital needs.
The project was devised to operate in the territories that, due to their population or geography, are less exposed to digital inclusion. Therefore the people have a greater need for the development of digital skills required to exercise their rights and citizenship. When the COVID-19 emergency monopolised the agenda of the local administrations, it strongly affected local associations which were suddenly hindered by restrictions.
This effort should be acknowledged, since it happened during the most difficult stages of the healthcare crisis.
The key words of the #GEMMA project strategy were “proximity”, “accessibility” and “engagement”.
Another aspect to be highlighted refers to the methodological nature of the activities: Activities were made simple, based on single meetings, (although linked by a logical thread for priority target groups) held on different days and times, on a large schedule of more than 1440 hours of free entertainment.
The distance activities (Facebook live broadcasts, workshops on Zoom) allowed citizens to enjoy learning despite the measures imposed by the government. They also enabled support to people facing financial, health and traveling difficulties and allowed to promote the right to use public online services throughout a period of great social hardship.
The choice of the channels followed the principle of maximum democratization. Workshops were held on Zoom, one of the most used video conferencing platforms during the first lockdown and live activities were held on YouTube (and Facebook) to allow participation without registering on any social media.
The #GEMMA project won the 2021 EAEA Grundtvig Award in the category of local, regional and national initiatives.
It was strongly supported by the project group and the stakeholders who were called upon, according to their specific nature, to co-plan and promote the activities, host the meetings, and engage the citizens through their direct channels in order to meet the needs of the different territories and citizens. This was a remarkable achievement, backed by the Umbria Region’s public notice. For this reason the project could be easily funded in the framework of the FSE Programme
The project could be up scaled by proposing new training courses on the basis of the results of evaluation questionnaire filled out by each participants at the end of each training course
The #GEMMA project focused on improving people’s well-being, helping them to recognize the positive value, as well as the risks, of digital resources. This mainly concerned two target groups, which are in many ways opposite to each other: On one hand, the elderly and their fear of specific information sources and means, and on the other hand, the children and teenagers, who need guidance in digital life more than ever before.”
Anna Schippa – schippa (at) azione.com
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