SENIOR CITIZENS TO BE EMPOWERED AS ENVIRONMENTAL MENTORS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Senior citizens are to be empowered to become environmental mentors to children and young people in a new inter-communal and inter-generational project.

The “ECOAGE: Intergenerational solidarity towards an ecological life in Cyprus” project is recruiting participants for its programme, in which knowledge of historic and sustainable Cypriot practices will be passed down through generations.

The ECOAGE project benefits from a grant under the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus programme, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021.

The project is implemented by the Association of Elderly Rights and Mental Health, the Youth Empowerment Foundation Cyprus and University College for Green Development (HGUt), Norway. It began in July 2022 and will continue until January 2024.

The Association of Elderly Rights and Mental Health shared details of the project to more than 50 older adults in meetings at the Famagusta Development Academy (Mağusa Gelişim Akademisi) on 17 January and University of Kyrenia on 20 January, 2023.

Participants shared their knowledge of traditional practices such as making bread, preserves, and repurposing furniture, and were informed about the future activities of the project, which aims to share the invaluable skills of the elderly with the younger generations for a sustainable future.

The first of a series of activities which aim to prepare older adults as environmental mentors is a Communications and Leadership Skills Workshop taking place on Thursday 9 February, in partnership with the University of Kyrenia 60+ Refreshment University.

As well as aiming to increase the social activity of older adults and decrease their social isolation and loneliness, the project also aims to enhance their hard and soft skills in mentorship, boost their confidence and sense of usefulness, revive the adoption of old and environmentally-friendly practices across the younger generations and promote senior entrepreneurship.
The programme is open to able-bodied and able-minded adults aged 60+ living in Cyprus, and will feature environmental workshops and inter-communal trips.

More details will be announced on the Association’s website and social media accounts. Those wanting to register for the February workshop or future activities can contact Project Task Leader Şirin Özkaynak on 0542 888 3010 or e-mail: info@yaslihaklariveruhsagligi.org

For more information about the ECOAGE project, visit: http://www.ecoageeu.com/

“ECOAGE: Intergenerational solidarity towards an ecological life in Cyprus” project benefits from a grant under the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus programme, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021.