A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

The project aims to support the healthy integration of older working generations (55+) into the labour market, capitalizing on their knowledge and assisting them in adapting to the challenges of new ways of working. The goal is to enhance their participation, avoid undesired early retirement, and extend their productive life. By strengthening their special skills and competences, IntegrAGE aims to retain their knowledge and accumulated experiences in the economy, either by providing tutoring within their own company or through mentoring even outside of their organization. Furthermore, the project seeks to address the issue of skilled workforce shortages, particularly in regions where labour mobility is imbalanced, leading to a deficit of qualified professionals. By leveraging the expertise of older workers, the project aims to mitigate this shortage and contribute to the overall development and growth of these regions. Importantly, the project places significant emphasis on promoting an age-adapted and healthy work-life balance. Recognizing the unique needs and requirements of older workers, IntegrAGE seeks to create an environment that supports their well-being. This includes considering factors such as flexible working arrangements, providing resources for maintaining good physical and mental health, and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture. To achieve these goals, the project includes several main activities. Firstly, country analyses will be conducted to identify the individual challenges of 55+ employment, such as the status and goals of age management, regional skill gaps, reasons for early retirement, national strategies, and initiatives. Based on these analyses, national policy recommendations will be drafted, and an impact assessment of planned measures will be conducted. The project will also collect and analyse European/global/DR good practices of labour market policies regarding age management. Another important activity is the creation of a joint Strategy & Action Plan (S&AP) to enhance the healthy integration of older working generations into the labour market. An awareness campaign will be conducted to disseminate the S&AP and jointly developed solutions to stakeholders, extending beyond the project area. The project will also identify and connect relevant stakeholders, such as employee and professional associations, chambers, and labour offices. To facilitate age management trainings for companies, the project will conceptualize, pilot, and evaluate "train the trainer" measures. It will identify and describe relevant internal actors within companies, including management, HR, legal departments, etc., as the target group. A company internal, game-based training concept for age management will be created, tested, and validated, including the evaluation of available support tools and applications. The project will also provide holistic empowerment guidance and raise awareness for age management and a healthy work-life balance through dissemination activities. To address skill gaps in the 55+ workforce, the project will develop a self-assessment tool focusing on self-development, adaptivity, and vital competences. Additionally, a software-supported awareness-raising concept will be developed to decrease the risk of physical and mental health issues among senior employees. A gamified training concept customized for the age group 55+ will be created, tested, and validated to close skill gaps and support their adaptation to the challenges of the new way of working. This training will cover areas such as resilience, power skills, digital skills, and mental health awareness. Finally, the project will establish a company-internal train-the-mentor program targeting senior employees to boost their knowledge-sharing abilities. This program will also include dissemination activities to share the learnings and best practices. In summary, this project is dedicated to supporting the integration of older workers into the labour market, capitalizing on their knowledge and experiences, and helping them adapt to new ways of working. By empowering them through skills development and mentoring, the project aims to retain their expertise within the economy while addressing the shortage of skilled labour. Additionally, the promotion of an age-adapted, healthy work-life balance is a central focus, ensuring the well-being and continued productivity of older workers.

Actual Achievements (EN):

BSC Kranj and ipcenter.at GmbH have established a strong cooperation to deliver a project management methodology. At the beginning of the project, BSC Kranj and ipcenter divided responsibilities to fulfill all roles described in the implementation manual (PM, FM, COM, QAM und SCOM). We developed a Project Management Handbook, which has set clear objectives and cooperation dynamics among partners, and reference documents for the project partners: Gantt Chart, Budget, Overview of deliverables with precise indicators and Overview of outputs. The consortium has been working through SharePoint. We organised an online kick-off to launch our remote cooperation in January, setting the groundwork for the upcoming months. In April, we officially launched the project with the opening conference in the city of Kranj, Slovenia. This conference was essential for us to come together, join stakeholders, share useful insights, and delve deep into the realm of age management. Throughout the initial months, our focus has been on knowledge exchange and specific task allocation for the development of various deliverables. We have hosted monthly project management meetings, which can be summarised in following ones: Online Kick off on the 12th of January, Jour Fixes on the first Tuesday of each following month, which compiles a total of 5 project management meetings (06. February, 05. March, 05. April, 14. May and 04. June) in which a timely implementation of activities and overall project progress was ensured. In this first period, there was two communication meetings (20. March and 22. May), in which materials created by Pannon Novum were presented and reviewed. All partners have steadily work on the adaptation of those materials to disseminate about the project in their own channels. A project website has been created and partners have printed out and posted the A3 poster in their headquarters. Among the deliverables developed, one standout piece is a comprehensive report on the increasing aging population, shedding light on the age-related measures currently in place across different countries and the challenges faced by senior employees (D 1.1.1. &D 1.1.2). This report not only serves as an informative resource, but it will also define the IntegrAGE Age Management approach and it will contribute to informed decision-making in our upcoming pilot actions and capacity buildings. Moreover, we conducted specific research on different best practices at both national and European level. Active engagement with stakeholders was key for ensuring quality, with each country conducting interviews and hosting online/in-person co-workshops to gather firsthand input (D1.2.1). By engaging with diverse companies, we gained in-sector insights into specific needs when it comes to implementing age management strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities we will be facing. Through direct interactions with senior employees, we have also understood some of the existing challenges faced by older employees, mainly regarding their adaptation to the digital environment, work-life balance, and role conditions. In the same way, we have understood the relevance of including initiatives such as inverse mentoring, lifelong learning, and career-long age management in the company strategy and culture. As we look ahead, the IntegrAGE project aims at creating a boarder network of collaboration that promotes a more inclusive and supportive environment for senior employees in the Danube Region. The project timeline is on time as all deliverables scheduled in this period have been started, 12 in total, and most of them, 9 in total, have been fully finalised. Project Management & Coordination All partners contributed to coordination, planning, and reporting: - 6 Jour Fixes (monthly PM meetings) were held with active participation from all partners, ensuring synchronized implementation. - 3 Specific Objective Meetings enabled deeper discussion on complex deliverables like policy recommendations, country personas, and strategic documents. - A Steering Committee meeting was called to manage partner replacement (RAUSK out, NERDA in). - One in-person partner meeting was organized in Ústí nad Labem (Nov 2024), hosted by UJEP. - Several partners (e.g., BSC Kranj, ipcenter, SLAP, BIOS) reported ongoing bilateral collaboration to ensure alignment at the national level. --- Methodology, Research & Deliverables Partners jointly advanced project methodology and finalized major deliverables: Finalized Deliverables (from Period 1): - D1.3.1 EU Good Practices Catalogue - D1.3.2 Feasibility Study of Good Practices - D3.1.2 Regional Calls for Senior Employees Developed Deliverables (New in Period 2): 7 new deliverables were jointly developed, with significant input from nearly all partners, including: - D1.2.1 & D1.2.2: National policy recommendations and work-life balance analysis - D1.4.1: Country Personas & Cluster Analysis (4 clusters formed) - D2.2.1: Train the Trainer Curriculum (6 modules drafted) - D2.4.1: Age Management Toolbox (Genially interactive tool) - D2.4.2: Curriculum for Employers (PDF & Moodle E-learning) - D3.1.3: Regional Skill Gap Map (testing still ongoing) --- Stakeholder Engagement Almost all partners contributed through: - Validation Workshops to refine and co-create measures with stakeholders. - Interviews and surveys with employers and stakeholders (Quadruple Helix). - Creation of national policy recommendations and contributions to the Strategy & Action Plan for the Danube Region. - Expansion of national networks (e.g., BIOS, TREXIMA, CCIS, ICUK, UJEP). --- Training & Tools Development Multiple activities advanced Age Management tools: - Train the Trainer Curriculum: Drafted collaboratively, featuring modules on intergenerational mentoring, digital skills, work-life balance, health, and wellbeing. - Age Management Toolbox: Designed as an interactive online suite of tools for companies. - Curriculum for Employers: Developed using case studies and gamification elements (to be finalized in Period 3). - Self-Assessment Tool: Tested in multiple countries but faced low response rates; improvements and wider piloting are planned. --- Dissemination & Communication Led by Pannon Novum with contributions from all partners: - 2 communication meetings were held to update dissemination strategies. - Project presence expanded through LinkedIn and Facebook (21+ posts in period 2), 2 newsletters, and translated promotional materials. - Partners like ICUK, SCHRMR, JASA, BIOS, TREXIMA participated in creating and sharing articles, interviews, and social content. --- Challenges Identified - Engagement with 55+ participants was lower than expected in SA Tool testing. Multiple partners (e.g., BIOS, ICUK, TREXIMA) flagged usability issues, leading to revisions. - Translation & content finalization delays, especially for the Train the Trainer and E-learning modules, have been pushed to Period 3. - Ongoing improvements to strategy documents and alignment across outputs are necessary. --- Summary of Shared Achievements - 13 partners collectively finalized and uploaded 4 extended deliverables and 7 new ones. - Developed a solid IntegrAGE Framework and the Strategy & Action Plan for the Danube Region. - Deepened stakeholder involvement and inter-partner collaboration. - Expanded training content and digital tools to promote active ageing and intergenerational collaboration.

Project outputs: IntegrAGE Strategy for the healthy integration of senior employees and holistic age management on the labour market(EN)
IntegrAGE Alliance for promoting holistic age management and improve the integration of older people to the labour market(EN)
IntegrAGE Action Plans for the healthy integration of senior employees and holistic age management on the labour market (EN)
Capacity building pilots targeting employment support bodies for a multiplier effect and to ensure sustainability of results(EN)
Tested and evaluated solution for capacity building in age management for employment support bodies(EN)
IntegrAGE age management training pilots with selected companies(EN)
Validated solution to promote age-management and support the integration of older employees through IntegrAGE company internal game-based training(EN)
Joint mid term conference with dedicated session promoting equal opportunities for older labour force and social inclusion of elderly(EN)
IntegrAGE resilience training pilots targeting 55+ labour force to improve their labour market integration and close skill gaps(EN)
IntegrAGE training solution targeting 55+ labour force for improved resilience and skill match(EN)
Pilot measures of the IntegrAGE intergenerational learning and mentoring concept in form of "living learning labs"(EN)
Validated solution for boosting the knowledge sharing within generations and combat shortage of skilled labour force(EN)
Website: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/integrage

Thematic information

Health and social services Social inclusion and equal opportunities

Priority: (VI-B_D_3) Priority 3 - A more social Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO4.1. Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 146 Support for adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change

Partners (17)

Lead Partner: BSC, Poslovno podporni center d.o.o. Kranj

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI32865597

Department: Department of international projects

Address: Cesta Staneta Žagarja, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Department address: Cesta Staneta Žagarja, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.bsc-kranj.si

Total budget: EUR 321 007.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 256 805.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 64 201.40

Contractors:

Name: Dialogco d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI79671667

Udruženje za razvoj NERDA

Name: Udruženje za razvoj NERDA

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 209683030008

Address: Mihajla i Živka Crnogorčevića , 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.nerda.ba

Total budget: EUR 95 511.95

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 76 409.56

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 19 102.39

Edukativni centar za obuke u profesionalnim i radnim veštinama

Name: Edukativni centar za obuke u profesionalnim i radnim veštinama

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 106727437

Address: Industrijska , 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: https://www.centar.edu.rs

Total budget: EUR 56 964.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 45 571.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 11 392.80

Inovační centrum Ústeckého kraje, z. s

Name: Inovační centrum Ústeckého kraje, z. s

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ04542088

Address: Velká Hradební , 40001 Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.icuk.cz

Total budget: EUR 54 617.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 43 693.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 10 923.40

Društvo Jasa

Name: Društvo Jasa

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI80260560

Address: Kopitarjeva, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.onezimosvet.si

Total budget: EUR 73 867.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 59 093.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 14 773.40

TREXIMA Bratislava, spol. s r.o.

Name: TREXIMA Bratislava, spol. s r.o.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2020343996

Address: Drobného, 84407 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website (not verified): http://www.trexima.sk

Total budget: EUR 242 117.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 193 693.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 423.40

Univerzita Jana Evangelisty Purkyně v Ústí nad Labem

Name: Univerzita Jana Evangelisty Purkyně v Ústí nad Labem

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ44555601

Address: Pasteurova, 400 96 Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ujep.cz

Total budget: EUR 160 902.30

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 128 721.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 180.46

Pannon Novum Nyugat-dunántúli Regionális Innovációs Nonprofit Kft

Name: Pannon Novum Nyugat-dunántúli Regionális Innovációs Nonprofit Kft

Partner’s ID if not PIC: National Tax No. 14197280-2-18

Address: Berzsenyi Dániel tér , 9700 Szombathely, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.pannonnovum.hu

Total budget: EUR 179 947.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 143 957.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 989.40

Privredna komora Srbije

Name: Privredna komora Srbije

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 100296837

Address: Resavska, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.rks.rs

Total budget: EUR 155 367.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 124 293.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 31 073.40

Contractors:

Name: CIS
VAT registration or tax identification number: 104839937
Name: FOTINA PR Agencija
VAT registration or tax identification number: 108390296
Name: PR agencija SKok plus
VAT registration or tax identification number: 112450622

Poduzetnički inkubator BIOS Osijek.

Name: Poduzetnički inkubator BIOS Osijek.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR21055328609

Address: J. J. Strossmayera, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.inkubator.hr

Total budget: EUR 92 817.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 74 253.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 563.40

Sdruzhenie Bulgarska Targovsko-Promishlena Palata

Name: Sdruzhenie Bulgarska Targovsko-Promishlena Palata

Department: European Integration and EU projects Directorate

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000703066

Address: Ul. Iskar, 1058 Sofia, Bulgaria

Department address: Ul. Iskar, 1058 Sofia, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.bcci.bg

Total budget: EUR 103 785.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 83 028.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 757.00

Humán Innovációs Csoport Nonprofit Kft.

Name: Humán Innovációs Csoport Nonprofit Kft.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU14839122

Address: Szabadság utca, 7623 Pecs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.hics.hu

Total budget: EUR 126 287.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 101 029.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 257.40

Contractors:

Name: KIKK Egyesület
VAT registration or tax identification number: 18328040-1-02

Schirrmacher GmbH

Name: Schirrmacher GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE280860742

Address: Schatzlgasse , 82335 Berg, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://schirrmachergroup.de/

Total budget: EUR 260 557.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 208 445.82

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 52 111.46

Udruga za kreativni razvoj Slap

Name: Udruga za kreativni razvoj Slap

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR35348022848

Address: Ulica sv. Roka, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.slap.hr

Total budget: EUR 66 167.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 52 933.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 13 233.40

ipcenter.at GmbH

Name: ipcenter.at GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU66862068

Address: Schönbrunner Straße , 1120 Wien, Austria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: http://www.ipcenter.at

Total budget: EUR 312 058.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 249 646.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 62 411.72

JU ‘’Razvojna agencija Unsko-sanskog kantona’’ Bihać

Name: JU ‘’Razvojna agencija Unsko-sanskog kantona’’ Bihać

Department: Department for Entrepreneurship Support

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: Miroslava Krleže, 77000 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Miroslava Krleže, 77000 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.rausk.ba

Total budget: EUR 112 367.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 89 893.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 473.40

Klaster socijalnog preduzetništva Vojvodine

Name: Klaster socijalnog preduzetništva Vojvodine

Department: Project office

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 109419393

Address: Koci Ivana , 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Department address: Koci Ivana , 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.kaspev.net

Total budget: EUR 57 684.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 46 147.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 11 536.80

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Development Association NERDA

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Educational Training Centre for professional and working skills

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Innovation Centre of the Usti Region

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Jasa Association

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

TREXIMA Bratislava, Ltd.

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Jan Evangelista Purkyne University in Usti nad Labem

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Pannon Novum West-Transdanubian Regional Innovation Non-profit Ltd.

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Business incubator BIOS Osijek

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Bulgarian Chamber of commerce and industry

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Human Innovation Group Nonprofit Ltd.

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Schirrmacher Ltd.

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Association for Creative Development Slap (Waterfall)

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

ipcenter.at Ltd.

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

BSC, Business support centre L.t.d., Kranj

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Development Agency of the Una-Sana Canton

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Partners and Projects info

Cluster of social entrepreneurship in Vojvodina

A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Project acronym: IntegrAGE

Project ID: DRP0200406

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Senior Capital – Interreg Central Europe 2007-2013 – dealing with the development of human capital of seniors in order to improve their economic and social value in a knowledge-based economy. (EN) | Integrage builds on the project idea by valuing and promoting the expertise and experiences of older employees and supporting them to remain in the workplace. (EN), The Inspirer (EN) | The Inspirer project is a European Erasmus+ project aiming to promote, through innovative and integrated approaches, equality, and diversity in the workplace, for companies that employ both younger and older generations. Inspirer provides companies, organisations, managers, and employees the necessary tools to eliminate age discrimination and segregation in the workplace and to create positive and inclusive working environments for older generations. We consider this as an opportunity where we could be inspired in IntegrAGE. The consortium that gives the project services their expertise and validation is a multinational team, experienced in Human Resources and Training.
There is a course available for anyone on their website.
By completing the full training course, the learners will have increased their knowledge, skills and competencies regarding the multigenerational workplace culture. They will be able to analyse their concrete working environment in a company, develop new approaches towards a multigenerational workplace culture as well as implement innovative tailor-made policies to increase the understanding and commitment for a multigenerational workplace culture among management and workforce. This could be used in IntegrAGE project during development of training concepts.
(EN), IN SITU - Intergenerational Social Innovation Support Scheme – Interreg Central Europe 2014-2020 – dealing with social innovation and qualification strategies to support long-term unemployed persons in disadvantaged regions, by providing social business support services and entrepreneurship support. (EN) | The project idea of promoting intergenerational employment also ties in with the general focus of Integrage, which is aimed at the improvement of labour market perspectives for employees over 55 years, and by stressing the value of their long-term experiences for the sustainable development of SMEs. (EN), Demography Network – Interreg V-A 2014-2020 – Linking municipalities to develop measures and strategies to actively deal with demographic change and ageing population, in order to make regions more attractive. (EN) | This project also ties into the general idea of Integrage, because it also aims at helping communities and regional service providers in their daily work to create the right conditions for dealing with demographic change and keeping the expertise of older employees in the labour market. (EN), RemoteNET (EN) | PP BCCI is currently participating as a partner in the project RemoteNET (European Digital Skills Hub for Remote Workers), which is being implemented under the Erasmus+ programme, KA2 “Cooperation partnerships in adult education”. The project aims to improve the digital skills of employees, needed for remote work, as well as overcome the negative consequences arising from the new way of distance work (such as health problems, isolation, unemployment, disruption of work-life balance). (EN), CVETNET (EN) | PP BCCI also participated as a partner in another Erasmus+ project, which related to the topic of the IntegrAGE proposal. Within the framework of the project CVETNET (Continuous VET networks reskilling SMEs employees and mentors by bridging generations and digital gaps), the partners developed continuous VET programmes aimed at improving the employability and adaptability of SMEs to digital transformation and intergenerational learning.
Within the scope of CVETNET, BCCI participated in the development of the following outputs, which can be useful in the implementation of IntegrAGE’s activities.
- Collection of best practices on training programmes for digital transformation and intergenerational learning of SMEs.
- Training methods for improving the skills in digital transformation and intergenerational learning of SMEs. The methods respond to the need of SMEs to adapt to a new environment, based on digital transformation and on the plurality of generations working in their teams. The identified techniques include Scape Room, Reverse Mentoring and Peer Learning, which provide innovative approaches to improve the group work between different generations.
- Handbook with innovative methodology on training for digital transformation and intergenerational learning of SMEs. The handbook contains the assessment and implementation methodologies to elaborate individual continuous VET training pathways for staff and teams at SMEs.
(EN), D-CARE - Developing, piloting and validating smart care models in Danube region for supporting social innovation, improving competences and entrepreneurship (DTP)
The recent project D-Care - Developing, piloting and validating smart care models in Danube region for supporting social innovation, improving competences and entrepreneurship (Interreg Danube) raised general awareness about social and digital innovation and their potential solve social and societal challenges and problems, and created a vivid network of quadruple helix actors who experienced the co-creation process. For the purpose of this project, IntegrAGE can adapt previously created methodology for mapping and acquiring target groups.
Within this project, but also as part the small twinning project of ICUK - Innovation Centre of the Usti Region (PP15) financed through IN4AHA and in cooperation with Rovira I Virgili University in Tarragona (SOCATEL tool), PP11 gained first hand experience with using human centred design methodologies and co-creation process for development and testing of new solutions. (EN) |
PP11 and PP15 can partly use knowledge from the preparation of the submitted HE project (CLEVER4KIDS), where PP11 will co-create gamification approaches ensuring data diversity over data volume by encouraging participation from a wider audience.
(EN), Work Ability Management - The Erasmus+ strategic partnership project “Work Ability Management” (WAM) focuses on solving the issue of supporting the employment of aging workers through the concept of work ability. Knowledge transfer will be ensured through an associate partner who was a member of the consortium implementing the project. Working ability is the basis of the quality of work and the retention of older employees in employment. In a large-scale study on the work ability of older workers, carried out by the Finnish Institute for Occupational Health, the main factors that influence the work ability of individuals have been identified. They organized these factors into the so-called "The House od Workability". Work capacity can be assessed using the work capacity index.
The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a tool that involves a questionnaire, which serves to conduct a self-assessment - examines work, work ability and health of employees. The focus is on the employees and their work ability assessed by themselves. The WAI method was developed in the 1980s in Finland. Since then, it has been thoroughly scientifically tested, translated into 29 languages and used in Europe and beyond, and its validity has already been sufficiently proven. The method is simple, practical, reliable and repeatable. The chosen range of questions allows for an objective evaluation of all the criteria that influence the employee's work ability. The result of the final calculation is the value of the WAI™ index, which expresses the employee's work ability on a point scale of 7-49 points. The higher this value, the better its working ability. Working ability is rated as poor, average, good or excellent according to the points obtained. (EN) | IntegrAGE project will capitalise on Work Ability Index 2.0 (Personal & Company Radar). An innovative tool for assessment of employee´s work ability and well-being.
(EN), Best Agers Lighthouse project (Interreg Baltic Sea)
The "Best Agers Lighthouses" project aims to implement age management interventions in small and medium-sized enterprises and public organizations across the Baltic Sea Region. Building upon the findings of the "Best Agers" project, the interventions will be scientifically monitored and evaluated to determine the economic impact of incorporating age management in human resources management. The selected companies and organizations will be promoted as lighthouses, offering employers a practical model for implementation. The "Best Agers" project highlighted the changing role of older individuals (55+) in Baltic Sea economies, emphasizing the need to revise our perception of older people, particularly in the workforce. The project demonstrated that older individuals can contribute to economic activities and innovation in various roles, such as mentors, senior advisors, or entrepreneurs. Research conducted by the project partners showed that employing older workers can be economically beneficial at both the micro and macro levels, but it requires adapting working conditions to their capabilities and needs, a process known as age management. Despite valuable research on age management, little of this knowledge is being implemented in companies and public organizations. The "Best Agers Lighthouses" project will establish Local Age Management Partnerships (LAMPs) in eight partner regions, bringing together project partners, employers, internal mentors, and external advisors. These partnerships will identify threats and opportunities arising from the age structure of the workforce, and reorganize HR management to maximize the skills of older workers in key positions. By demonstrating the benefits and success factors of age management, the project aims to encourage other employers to adopt similar practices and promote age management in national policy discussions. (EN) |
The concept of promoting intergenerational employment aligns with Integrage's overall objective of enhancing labor market opportunities for individuals aged 55 and above. By emphasizing the significance of their extensive expertise for the sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this project idea integrates seamlessly with Integrage's overarching mission. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 306 603.51

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 845 282.80

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Country analyses to identify individual challenges of 55+ employement
Comprehensive analysis of work-life balance factors for 55+ employees
Impact assessment of planned measures in project countries
Individual policy recommendations on age management in project countries
European catalogue of good practices on "aging and employment"
Feasibility study of selected good practices
Analysis template for country personas
Need assessment survey
National policy roundtables for key stakeholders
Mid-term transnational conference on summary of findings / policy section
Opening conference
Closing conference
Interview protocol and a survey templates
Train the Trainer Curriculum on Age Management
Age-friendly company framework and quality seal
Analysis of survey questionnaires
Criteria catalogue for selecting pilot participants
Age management toolbox for companies
IntegrAGE curriculum on Age Management for employers
Establishment of Peer Learning Groups
Evaluation report on the IntegrAGE age management training concept
An engaging and educative platform on holistic age management
Translations for multi-lingual content creation
Opening conference with policy focus
Mid-term transnational conference on summary of findings
Business brunches
Introduction of "age-friendly company" standards
Image film on company internal age management
Danube Region IntegrAGE roadshow
Self assesment tool for identifying detailed training needs
Regional calls for senior employees to share ideas on age-management
Regional skill gap map and need analyses
Application for mental awareness
Communication campaign to call attention to work-life balance
Curriculum on the challenges of new way of working
Learning concept "Living Learning Labs"

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion
The IntegrAGE project can contribute to Priority Areas 8 and 9 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. For Priority Area 8 (improving the competitiveness of enterprises in the Danube region) the project and its results are valuable to 1) foster SME cooperation in general (among each others and with labour market stakeholders), 2) support local enterprises by specific and needs-based training offers, and 3) improve the competitiveness of rural regions, by helping the ageing workforce to remain in employment and pass on their experience and skills to younger colleagues.
For Priority Area 9 (People and Skills), the IntegrAGE project can be expected to touch upon the following action lines defined in the EUSDR: 1) Intensify cooperation in labour market policies (by promoting the exchange of good practices and adaptation of innovative policies/methods by labour market stakeholders (how to keep aging population and their knowledge in the labour market), 2) promote digitalisation and innovation in work (by showing the possibilities for “work from home” and hybrid employment models in some professions), 3) integrate vulnerable groups into the labour market (by providing strategies and methods to LM policy makers to better retain the aging workforce), 4) fighting poverty and social inclusion for all (by improving the employment possibilities/perspectives of the target group), 6) promote Relevant and High-Quality Knowledge, Skills and Competences (by initiating a good practice exchange and an uptake of innovative methods), 7) promoting Lifelong Learning and Learning Mobility (by offering training and mentoring schemes for aging employees and also the companies they work in).
EuropeanGreenDeal The European Green Deal wants to help turn Europe into a climate-neutral continent until 2050, provide perspectives for economic growth that is not dependent on resources, and makes sure that no persons and regions are excluded from this future perspective.
IntegrAGE touches on the Green Deal priorities by helping to ensure that older workers/employees are better trained to be (or remain) part of the future economic landscape, and that their home regions are supporting in dealing with demographic challenges (aging population, emigration of younger persons). Also, another aspect of IntegrAGE could contribute to “green” policies, as older employees are (when suitable) enabled to work in hybrid or online form, thereby reducing the need for local commuter traffic and decreasing the carbon footprint of regions.
TerritorialAgenda2030 IntegrAGE can contribute to the goals of the EU Territorial Agenda 2030, which aims to promote balanced, inclusive and sustainable development of all European regions in their diversity. Dealing with issues of disadvantaged regions and their habitants’ access to services, opportunities, education, development etc., the Territorial Agenda 2030 also stresses the importance of skills development and taking into account regional demographic factors like ageing populations in order to create positive perspectives for everybody.
Therefore, IntegrAGE is a valuable example how to promote skill transition and retention of aging employees, thereby improving the competitiveness and development perspectives of European regions which are threatened by risk factors like “brain drain” of the younger population, closure of local companies due to lack of workers, and loss of skills and knowledge by not including the expertise of more experienced employees into the workplace.
Other The EU Recovery Plan (NextGenerationEU) was published as reaction how to deal with the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to boost sustainable, resilient, digital and green growth by providing stimulus measures. Under “Heading 2 – Cohesion, Resilience and Values” it provides 226 bn EUR to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by reducing economic, social and territorial disparities between its regions and supporting the full integration of less-developed regions within the EU’s internal market. Thereby, remote regions and areas suffering from adverse demographic effects can benefit from those stimulus measures, which are aimed at policy makers, stakeholders, companies and individual citizens.
IntegrAGE project fits into the overall strategic approach of “NextGenEU” because it also wants to help stakeholders and people affected by negative demographic trends (aging workforce) to be better equipped by providing them tools and measures how to adapt to these circumstances (among others by offering flexible working models, digitalisation, and training/mentoring programmes).
Other The OECD has published a policy paper in 2023 dealing with the importance of retaining talent (workers skills and expertise) of all age groups for the sustainable economic and social development of our societies. In facing the aging work population, approaches like providing the right environment for a multigenerational workforce (by offering retraining, and supportive working environments, taking care of health issues, providing payment incentives) are particularly important and useful. This way, companies can benefit from the decades of compounded knowledge that is passed on to and further developed by younger colleagues, and the regions where they are situated can better deal with the pressures of demographic and economical decline.
The IntegrAGE project is relevant in this context, because it wants to contribute to an environment and awareness on policy maker and company level, why and how to keep older employees as active and valuable part of the workforce – this will be achieved by promoting successful strategies and training/mentoring programmes.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 082 - Participations in joint actions promoting gender equality, equal opportunities and social inclusion, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 21.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 138 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

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A practical approach to support the healthy adaptation and integration of 55+ work force into the labour market

Description

Thematic information

Partners (17)

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Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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