The University of Limassol’s “InterGenic” project aims to bridge the digital and ecological knowledge gap between young individuals and seniors in Lympia, fostering intergenerational learning and community-driven change. By empowering elderly with digital tools and teaching sustainable living practices to the youth, the project seeks to create lasting bonds and promote inclusive green and digital transitions.
What is the goal of the University of Limassol’s “InterGenic” project?
The “InterGenic” project by the University of Limassol aims to foster intergenerational learning by bridging the digital and ecological knowledge gap between young individuals and seniors. The goal is to empower elderly with digital tools while young participants learn sustainable living practices, facilitating community-driven change and inclusive green and digital transitions.
Fostering Intergenerational Learning
The concept of intergenerational learning isn’t new, but it’s gaining renewed attention in an era where digital expertise and ecological knowledge are both highly valued yet often segregated by age. The University of Limassol (UoL) is at the forefront of this movement, embarking on a mission to bridge generational divides through the innovative “InterGenic” project. Young individuals are adept at navigating the modern digital landscape, while those aged 55 and above carry a wealth of experience in sustainable living practices. By encouraging the transfer of this diverse knowledge, InterGenic aims not only to educate but to form lasting bonds between different age groups.
Such initiatives highlight the value of wisdom passed down through generations, as well as the innovative potential of youth. The project aims to empower senior citizens with digital tools, while the younger participants can rediscover greener living methods that have stood the test of time. This synergy could result in a balanced approach to living that honors both tradition and progress.
Bridging the Digital and Green Divide
The EU’s twin transition strategy, focusing on digital and ecological transformation, serves as a backdrop for the “InterGenic” project. Supported by the ERASMUS+ programme, it aligns with the ambitious aims of the European Green Deal. The crux of the project is the development of an educational package that facilitates intergenerational guidance. With a consortium of eight partners spread across Europe, the expertise brought to the table is vast and varied, promising a well-rounded educational experience.
The project’s duration, from December 2023 to November 2025, provides a substantial period for the development and implementation of these educational tools. By January 2024, UoL had already hosted the initial meeting to kick off the project’s activities, setting a clear roadmap towards achieving their milestones.
A Community Effort
The UoL, together with the Materia Group, has been proactive in engaging the local community of Lympia. They have taken concrete steps to translate the project’s goals into action. Workshop sessions have been designed for two main age groups: those between 18 to 25 years old, and individuals aged 55 and above. These workshops serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge, with the younger generation sharing insights on technological tools and their elders contributing sustainable ecological practices.
Beyond the workshops, the project envisions a mentorship system where participants can further disseminate what they’ve learned. The end goal is to enable mixed-age teams to cooperatively address local issues, using the newly shared knowledge to effectuate change within their community. This hands-on approach not only solidifies the learning outcomes but also strengthens the social fabric of the community.
Looking to the Future
The interactive workshops that commenced in March 2024 are already showing promise. Participants have proposed a variety of ecological practices and technological tools, which are being meticulously documented to support the development of the educational package. Through this intergenerational collaboration, the community of Lympia is poised to embrace a green and digital transition that is unique in its inclusivity.
The initiative taken by UoL and Materia Group is a testament to the power of community engagement in driving change. By fostering this dialogue between generations, the project not only aims to tackle the digital and green transitions but also to build a model of cooperation that could inspire similar initiatives beyond Cyprus’s borders. The workshops are just the beginning of a journey that could lead to sustainable change, powered by the collective effort of an entire community.
What is the goal of the University of Limassol’s “InterGenic” project?
The “InterGenic” project by the University of Limassol aims to foster intergenerational learning by bridging the digital and ecological knowledge gap between young individuals and seniors. The goal is to empower elderly with digital tools while young participants learn sustainable living practices, facilitating community-driven change and inclusive green and digital transitions.
How does the project aim to bridge the digital and ecological divide between generations?
The project seeks to empower senior citizens with digital tools and teach sustainable living practices to younger participants in order to bridge the gap between generations. By encouraging the transfer of knowledge and skills between different age groups, the project aims to create lasting bonds and promote inclusive green and digital transitions within the community.
What is the duration of the “InterGenic” project and what activities have taken place so far?
The project runs from December 2023 to November 2025 and has already seen the initiation of workshop sessions designed for young individuals aged 18 to 25 and seniors aged 55 and above. These workshops serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, with the younger generation sharing insights on technology and the elders contributing sustainable ecological practices. The project envisions a mentorship system and mixed-age teams collaborating to address local issues using shared knowledge.
How is the community of Lympia involved in the “InterGenic” project and what are the expected outcomes?
The University of Limassol and the Materia Group have actively engaged the local community of Lympia in the project. Workshop sessions are designed for different age groups to exchange knowledge, with the aim of creating mixed-age teams that can collaboratively address local issues using the newly shared knowledge. The project aims to foster a green and digital transition within the community, with the workshops serving as just the beginning of a journey towards sustainable change.
