The project "Digital Communities of the Elderly” is being implemented under the Active Citizens fund in Greece, by the Union of Working Consumers of Greece. The Active Citizens Fund in Greece is supported through a € 12m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The program aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active Citizens Fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.
The scope of the Digital Communities of the Elderly project is to directly improve the quality of life of the beneficiaries and to contribute to the protection of their income and property.
Aim of the project is the training of 200 beneficiaries (60+) in the safe use of financial products, services and procedures.
The actions of the project were designed in order to:
• Enhance the participation of older people in advocacy for their needs and the needs of their communities.
• To support the elderly who are unfamiliar with digital technologies, to understand the way technology operates in a safe manner regarding their financial services management.
• Provide the opportunity to those who wish to participate voluntarily in a community service, that will improve the social inclusion of beneficiaries, which is the ultimate strategic goal of the project.
The 4 phases of the project are:
• 1st Phase: Investigative Study of Beneficiary Needs
• 2nd Phase: Training in the safe use of financial products & services
• 3rd Phase: Establishment of a 5 members governing body of Local Volunteers Groups (ETO) in 10 Greek cities
• 4th Phase: Operation of a Voluntary Network of 50 people in 10 cities of Greece
Project materialization through collaboration of 2 networks:
• Local Branches of ΕΕΚΕ
• Centers for Open Protection of the Elderly (K.A.P.I.), in the local Municipalities in 10 Greek cities:
1. Nafpaktos
2. Chania
3. Veria
4. Kastoria
5. Lamia
6. Syros Ermoupolis
7. Katerini
8. Rhodes
9. Volos
10. Messologi
Project focus:
• Secure use of credit / debit cards
• Internet banking and purchases of products and services online
• Avoiding internet fraud - protection of bank accounts
• Service of consumer and mortgage loans and credits
• Special benefits for the elderly by public utility companies
Investigative Study of Beneficiary Needs
EEKE performed a nationwide research via a digital questionnaire in Greece in order to determine the needs of people of third age regarding their digital skills, their financial payments patterns and internet buying habits.
For more information visit the official site Digital Communities of the Elderly
