The Futeurope project: a senior citizens’ debate on Europe

The position of European seniors varies from country to country. Older citizens in some countries may face difficulties to make both ends meet, in the new member states like Hungary and Romania in particular. Old age pensions often are not enough to cover even the first neccessities of life. What to think of just € 100 to get through the month in Romania? In Bucharest the amount may just be sufficient to pay for rent and electricity. As a result many elderly return to the countryside. That is to say, those who are still able to do so and who have relatives or friends to care for them. Because social provisions are hard to find outside the cities: even a physician may only be found in the nearest town or city. And imagine how to get there if no decent public transport facilities exist.
We may not dwell on these things every day, but this is Europe too! It even is part of the European Union nowadays. Yet we may not know much about these countries. The opposite is also true. Many people in Romania -but this may also apply to Lithuania or any other country in Central- and Eastern Europe- think that there is no poverty in Western Europe at all. That only rich people live here. An image which is also false of course.

A new Project

‘Futeurope’ is a new international discussion project on Europe for and by senior citizens who want to break through that mutual unacquaintedness. The initiative was taken by the Foundation for Educational Projects in Amersfoort, The Netherlands in close collaboration with partner organisations in England, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania and Romania. It is sponsored by the Socrates-Grundtvig2 Life Long Learning programme of the EU.
The aim of the project is to give seniors from different countries a chance to have a look into ‘eachother’s kitchen’. By discussing a variety of themes in a group setting among themselves, but also by exchanging opinions with other groups of seniors in the other participating countries and by visiting them. To make senior citizens from different European countries getting to know each other better is the ultimate objective of the Project.    

Study circle

The discussions take place in the setting of a so called study circle. A study circle is a discussion group of about 8 – 12 people. During the study circle sessions various topics will be discussed, such as ‘housing’, ‘labour and leisure time’, ‘mobility and public transport’, ‘politics and religion’, etcetera. The participants themselves decide on the contents of the discussions and the frequency of the meetings for the larger part. They also take care of the chairing of the discussion and the reporting. Via a website the study circle groups in the various countries can inform each other on their discussions and exchange questions and reactions. The website will also be used for passing on subjects and ideas for study circle meetings and to publish the reports of the meetings. Moreover every group has the opportunity to invite lecturers and to use other study materials such as books, brochures and audiovisuals.

Exchange

An important element of the project is the exchange with the other study circles. During the project brief visits will be paid to some of the participating groups abroad. The aim of these visits is to get better acquainted with each other and to experience how in other countries of the EU senior citizens live. Where possible the visitors live with the participants at home. The result could be that one makes new friends, but it may also enlarge one’s insight in the changes that are needed to make our continent into a real ‘one Europe’. If we want it to be that way of course.
In the summer of 2008 a first exchange will take place with Finland. Other countries will be visited later during the project. In June 2009 all groups will pay a visit to Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Then will also the final conference be held which will mark the end of the project.

Some practical data

The studycircles start in the course of December 2007 and January 2008. The dates, time, location and frequency of the meetings is decided by the participants of every individual circle in collaboration with the local organizers. See the individual website pages per country (these are ‘under construction’).The entire project lasts for one and a half year (until July 2009) and on average one meeting will be held every month. But again, every group is free to have less or more meetings. Stops for holidays are also set by every individual study circle.A study circle is open for persons of 55 years of age and above. No specific fees will be charged for participation other than what has been agreed locally.

Project coordination

The project is a cooperative project of the following organisations: Amber Valley Volunteer Support Centre, Ripley, England (U.K.); Életfa Help Service Association in Debrecen, Hungary; Kiuruvesi Centre for Adult Education in Kiuruvesi, Finland; Stichting Educatieve Projekten in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Other ‘associated’ partners are the Petrasiunai Bendruomenas Centras, Kaunas, Lithuania and the Women’s Organisation of Bihor, Oradea, Romania. They participate in the project although without specific funding by the EU.The Foundation for Educational Projects (Stichting Educatieve Projekten) in The Netherlands is the coordinating partner, responsible for the overall coordination and -reporting and for the website’s content and maintenance. 

Further information on the partner organisations can be found under ‘partners’.