Germany National Desk Research – Mapping Intergenerational Learning focused on Basic Skills

In 2022, Culture Goes Europe conducted desk research reviewing previous studies and different policies and initiatives related to intergenerational learning in Germany, particularly focused on basic skills. In this country, education and digital sovereignty are important for older people to actively participate in social life.

Some national reports assure that the effects of the digitization process in old generations are important in several fields, such as housing, care, mobility and health. However, successful senior citizens’ policies depend not only on the government decision, but also on cooperation partners from civil society, who participate in the implementation of the different government programs and generate their own initiatives.

In the report “Germany National Desk Research – Mapping Intergenerational Learning focused on Basic Skills”, there are mentioned the most relevant civil society organizations in Germany:

● The Federal Working Group of Senior Citizens’ Offices e.V. (Die Bundes-arbeitsgemeinschaft Seniorenbüros e.V. (BaS)). This organization promotes the voluntary commitment of older people and is committed to a good quality of life; promoting cross-generational and cross cultural encounters between senior citizens and young people, with immigrant or refugee background.
● The BAGSO – Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Seniorenorganisationen e.V. It represents the interests of older generations in the country, advocating for active, self- determined and healthy aging. They also try to introduce topics on the political agenda that are relevant to the quality of life of older people.
● The Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. It is an International Catholic organization that helps people in emergency situations. It has projects for older people with the aim to strengthen the relationships between generations.

There also exist different governmental programs for the older generations. These are some of them:

● The Federal Program Menschen stärken Menschen (People Strengthen People). It provides sponsorships for people that want to help others. In this way, opportunities can be improved for participation and lead to more educational equality.
● The Federal Program Mehrgenerationenhäuser (Multigenerational Houses). It gives funding to houses where young and old people can meet and learn from each other.
● The Federal Program Demokratie leben! (Live Democracy!). This promotes the empowerment of young people by doing joint activities with older people.
● The Model Project “Miteinander – Füreinander; Kontakt und Gemeinschaft im Alter” (“With each other – For each other; contact and community in old age”). It aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation, and increase the willingness to accept help.
● The Federal Model Program “Stärkung der Teilhabe Älterer – Wege aus der Einsamkeit und sozialen Isolation im Alter” (“Strengthening the participation of older people – ways out of loneliness and social isolation in old age”). It supports projects against loneliness in old age.
● The Federal Program “Lokale Allianzen für Menschen mit Demenz” (“Local Alliances for People with Dementia”). Funds to establish and expand structures for support of people with dementia.
● The Program “Altersbilder” (“New Images of Old Age”). It disseminates and promotes new, differentiated, and realistic images of old ages. However, there are also projects that cover the need of learning new digital skills for older people. These are some examples:
● The “Digital Angel” project. It is a mobile advice team of people who travel around Germany. The objective is to teach older people in a practical, personal and on-site way how daily routines and habits can be easier by using digital applications. Since Covid-19, this program is also offered virtually.
● The “Digitization and Education for Older People” service center. It is a service point that provides information and offers on digitalization and education in old age. It is offered online.
● The “DigitalPakt Alter” initiative, which strengthens the social participation and commitment of older people in the digital world. It is supported by a broader social alliance, which includes the Federal Government, local authorities, business, science
and civil society.

Ana Guadalupe Farah