What if there was an Erasmus programme for people who just entered retirement?

[hpod16@eupolicy.social]

What if there was an Erasmus programme for people who just entered retirement?
The #EU funds #RailTravel passes for 18 year olds with the #discoverEU programme, what if it did something similar for people entering retirement?
Or, what if there was a pendant to the #EuropeanSolidarityCorps organised by municipalities that brought older people from twin cities together in projects?

Probably my favourite idea that ever came out of one of our workshops

[hpod16@eupolicy.social]

For context, my team regularly invites young content creators from all over Europe who are passionate about the EU to come and discover the EU institutions. We always do a little open space discussion at the end where they can pitch topics and discuss any idea they have and feel passionate about.

[_elena@mastodon.social]

@hpod16 I LOOOOOVE this idea!

[hpod16@eupolicy.social]

@_elena
Saaaaame!
It solves so many issues.
Euroscepticism in the older generations, loneliness for older people, etc

And sure, lots of retired people go travel. But many cannot afford to. I’d love a programme that reaches those people

[karlos@mindly.social]

@hpod16 Love the idea. It would motivate to meet other cultures. It‘s not only about money but also some organisation to give confident.

[richlv@mastodon.social]

@hpod16 @_elena And many might have sharp minds, but a bit of a lack of topics to apply those minds to. Expanding social contacts could onboard them to various projects, communities etc!

[caffetino@social.pikaia.org]

@hpod16 this is a great idea! I like the community twinning idea

[hpod16@eupolicy.social]

The idea came from a young guy called Chris Zahariev. *giving credit where credit is due.
He mainly creates on IG though so I cannot tag him here.

[h_albermann@mastodon.social]

@hpod16 Interrail also offers tickets for seniors

#interrail
https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes/deals/interrail-senior-discounts

[sabrinaweb71@sociale.network]

@hpod16 can't wait to turn 65 so I can join

[naturemc@mastodon.online]

@hpod16 I love the idea!
Unfortunately, the political reality is often quite the opposite: people should/must work longer and longer, more and more people (especially women) fall into poverty with retirement. They are exhausted.

And we (yes, I'm that age) are already the main generation in volunteering! I'm volunteering in France, and we have an immense problem to find younger people! Some places are at risk of closing because their volunteers are getting too old.

[gert@social.coop]

@hpod16 @_elena I see what you mean. You could just make an inventory of what elderly would like to do if they had a chance and what is holding them back. I'm 64 and I watch train cab ride videos on Youtube. Because discounts don't work, I still have a debt to pay off. Let me know if I can help.

[skylarkduquesne@mas.to]

@hpod16

Pardon me while I steal this idea & start this ball rolling over here in The States...

[wildrikku@mastodon.gamedev.place]

@hpod16 That would be so, so cool. It's so important to stay active when you're aging and there are a lot of elderly / retired people who are still curious. It would be really important though to adjust applying for such a programme appropriate for the target group.

[gilraen79@mastodon.social]

@hpod16 that's a lovely idea! Being active mentally and physically helps a lot and this program could be life changing for everyone ️

[paulgeraghty@mastodon.social]

@hpod16

LIke it, good idea, and the travel plan.

Would like to see cross a pollination framework too, learning and mentoring in both directions young/old.

Business, life skills, and tech.

[owiecc@en.osm.town]

@hpod16 What about peer to peer travel? That would take help with the price (no hotel needed) and loneliness (because you stay with someone).

[hpod16@eupolicy.social]

@Pomegranatepirate agreed.
Many people entering retirement do have money for travel, and many do go travel. Just last week I met an older Italian couple who told us they bought a campervan and travelled most of Europe at the start of their retirement. They also had a holiday home on the Atlantic coast in Portugal, which is where I met them..
But then again many older people really don't have this freedom, and worry a lot about money during their retirement. It would be great to target them.