Our SHINE 2Europe projects YoungCare, AFECO, and DigitalScouts will be showcased at the PAAR-net Training School on Participatory Co-Creation Methods at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania, with the aim to multiply and disseminate their results.
SHINE will facilitate a session on April 2 for young researchers titled “Interactive Introduction and Exercises on Participatory Approaches with Informal Caregivers – YoungCare Erasmus+”. This session will provide hands-on experience in participatory methods, focusing on how YoungCare has engaged informal caregivers in co-creating solutions to improve their well-being and support systems.
During this day, a DigitalScouts session willalso be held, focusing on the methodology of participatory co-creation and explore how it has influenced the design, development, and technical implementation of the digital educational offer aimed to qualify “digital scouts” to support older people in the use of digital tools. Emphasis will be placed on how the digital training is being tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of both trainers and learners.
Further, on March 31st, AFECO will be presented, focusing on the partners’ experience on the co-creation sessions and interviews that were held with over 120 older people and 60 (in)formal caregivers from six European countries on their preferred ways of learning, knowledge gaps in age-friendly and eco-friendly solutions, language preferences and learning materials co-development
The PAAR-net Training School, taking place from March 31 to April 2, 2025, offers intensive training on participatory co-creation methods. Designed for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, young innovators, and policymakers, the event aims to equip participants with the skills to engage older adults effectively in research, projects, and policy development. It will also provide an invaluable opportunity to explore under-researched areas in informal caregiving and the needs of adults requiring care.
PAAR-net is a COST Action (CA22167: Participatory Approaches with Older Adults) focused on reshaping how older adults are involved in scientific research, policymaking, and practice. By fostering inclusive social innovation, PAAR-net empowers older adults, especially those at risk of social exclusion, to address the complex challenges of ageing societies. The network brings together academics, young and older innovators, and experts from across Europe and beyond.