QLSE

The project has given the participants a lot of new knowledge that in some cases has already given rise to new activities. In Italy an important cooperation between local public authorities, Parma University and elderly associations has started. This cooperation offers opportunities to exchange information and knowledge which is important in getting to know the local volunteering realities better, begin/improve cooperation with high level education institutions/research centers (Parma University), and to create a common arena where exchanging opinions, expectations, and proposals is fostered. This has improved the collaboration between associations and local authorities, created a network among university and local authorities for a deeper knowledge from a different perspectives.

In Sweden, Norrköping describes that the project has provided an awareness of the group and how different it is. New strategic alliances locally, regionally and nationally between municipalities, NGOs, universities, inventors, and SMEs that focus on development and work with the life of the 60+ have been started. A two year project focusing on the technology for the daily living of the 80+ and their relatives was begun after the end of QLSE. The exhibition which was conducted during the third event of the project in Norrköping was so successful that it has been repeated in 2012.

The municipality of Skövde started off with a lecture and work shop on “Who are the future seniors?”. Representatives from a wide range of organizations were invited (politicians, representatives from municipality, transport, property owners, business sector, science park, university, NGOs). Thereafter, three lectures to the public and several dialogue sessions with seniors have been carried out. From the dialogue with the seniors it turned out that mental preparation for retirement was very important among the elderly.