The involvement of the Senior University in the development and implementation of European projects started in 2003. It has continued without interruption until the academic year 2017-2018. During this time, the Senior University has participated mainly in Learning Partnerships.

• Projects of the Senior University under the Socrates Programme.
• Projects of the Senior University under the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)
• Projects of the Senior University under the Erasmus+ Programme

 

Projects of the Senior University under the Socrates Programme.

The first European educational project for Senior University was started under the Socrates Programme. It was a European programme of the European Commission. The Socrates I ran from 1994 to 1999, and in 2000 it was replaced by the Socrates II until 2006.

 

Our project was named European Senior Citizens' Storyboard (2003-2006). The overall objective of this Learning Partnership was to promote a sense of belonging to a common Europe, and interaction amongst senior citizens, encouraging learning and sharing knowledge about cultural heritage using new technologies, and developing English language skills as the project language. Students published their personal stories on a project website which were then commented upon by all other learners. This project involved partners from Italy, UK, Finland, Belgium, Germany and Spain, and laste three years, between August 2003 and July 2006.

 

 

Projects of the Senior University under the Lifelong Learning Programme.

The Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) was the successor of the Socrates and other previous education, vocational, training and e-Learning programmes, ende in 2006. Funded by the European Union in 2007 for supporting education and training across Europe, it supported learning opportunities from childhood to old age in every single life situation. Over the course of its lifespan, LLP provided support to school pupils, univesity students, adult learners, and a variety of projects under four main subprogrammes. The programme enables individuals at all stages of their lives to pursue stimulating learning opportunities across Europe. This programme was developed for the period 2007-2013. It is made up of several different programmes covering the whole spectrum of lifelong learning: four sectorial subprogrammes focusing on different stages of education and training, one transversal programme which aims to ensure that they achieve the best possible results, and one programme, the Jean Monnet, that stimulates teaching, reflection and debate on the European integration process at higher education institutions worldwide.

Four sectorial programmes:

• Comenius Schools
• Erasmus Higher Education
• Leonardo da Vinci Vocational Education and Training
• Grundtvig Adult Education

The Grundtvig SubProgramme, as part of the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme for adult education, aimed to fulfil the needs for learning and teaching of the participants in all types of adult education, as well as those from the institutions and organizations that provide this education.

Grundtvig aimed to provide adults with ways to improve their knowledge and skills, keeping them mentally fit and potentially more employable. Grundtvig’s actions included support for:

• Learning Partnerships focusing on themes of mutual interest to participating organisations
• Multilateral projects for improving adult education systems through the development and transfer of innovation and good practice
• Networks of experts and organisations working on developing adult education, spreading good practices and supporting partnerships.
• Mobilites, including visits, assistantships, adult education exchanges (i.e. staff training and professional development) and the preparations needed to plan the exchanges

2006-2009: Routes towards Europe

From 2006 to 2009, the Routes towards Europe (RTE) Project brought together several educational institutions to explore the dynamics of active citizenship in a European cultural context. The partners strongly shared the view that the growing demographic of European senior citizens has an increasingly important role to play in society through involvement in local and regional projects. Study groups in partner countries discussed themes of identity, explored historical routes and studied English and ICT. Participants exchanged information, ideas and opinions on the project website. Partners from Italy, UK, Finland, Germany and Spain, were involved in this Learning Partnership, which lasted 3 years.

 

 2009-2011: Our Continent – Our Culture

During the next two academic years (2009-2011), the Senior University was involved at the Our Continent – Our Culture Grundtvig Learning Partnership. The OC-OC project examined the various ways Europeans have contributed to, and are contributing to, the composite culture of Europe. The Partnership addressed European culture with a focus on the participating countries. Language Learning, Identity, Active Citizenship, European Cohesion and Understanding, together with intergenerational linking and communication technology studies, were aspects of the project. Partners from Italy, UK, Finland, Germany, Portugal and Spain were involved in this Learning Partnership, which lasted two years.

 

2011-2013: "More than Neighbours"

Senior Universtiy of A Coruña was involved in a Grundtvig Learning Partnership named "More than Neighbours", from 2011 to 2013, with partners in Germany,Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and Belgium.
The main objectives of this project were:
• To promote the interaction between European senior citizens by internet, email and in project seminaries.
• To analyze the own identity in order to create a common European identity.
• To foster the foreing languages learning.
• To improve the ICT learning.

 

From 2014 until the present, the Senior University of A Coruña is a collaborating entity at a Leonardo da Vinci Project named ACTing – Social Agents Promoting Active Ageing through ICT – is a two-year long European project which focuses on active ageing and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Launched in October 2013 the initiative is financed by the European Commission and it joins organisations from four different countries: Italy, Romania, Spain and Switzerland.
The ACTing project aims to transfer an innovative teaching methodology for social agents working in the fields of active ageing and digital inclusion. This methodology focuses on strengthening the capacities, skills and attitudes of social agents working with senior citizens through ICT and encourage e-inclusion through active participation amongst elderly communities.

 

Projects of the Senior University under the Erasmus+ Programme.

 

Created in 2014, the Erasmus+ programme aims to boost skills and employability, as well as modernising Education, Training, and Youth work, providing opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad.
Erasmus+ supports transnational partnerships among Education, Training, and Youth institutions and organisations to foster cooperation and bridge the worlds of Education and work in order to tackle the skills gaps we are facing in Europe.
Erasmus+ brings together seven existing EU programmes in the fields of Education, Training, and Youth; it will for the first time provide support for Sport.

About Adult Education, Erasmus+ aims to improve the quality of adult learning across Europe. It will provide opportunities for adult learning professionals to learn from each other and develop strategic partnerships. It will focus on common challenges, such as the recognition of skills learnt outside the formal education system. Erasmus+ will make adult learning more accessible and improve the skills of citizens across Europe.
Activities supported by Erasmus+ on Adult education include:
• Exchange of staff within adult education organisations, including Structured course or training, Job shadowing or observations.
• Cooperation between institutions and organisations to: Exchange experiences and best practice; Develop regional strategies; Develop, test, and validate new curricula; Implement European policy on adult education.
• Cooperation with business: Job shadowing; Collaboration on curricula; Training courses and seminars.
• Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE): Professionals in adult learning can learn from each other and exchange good practices online.
The funding opportunities of Erasmus+ on Adult Education are available to Adult education organisations and local/regional authorities active in the field of adult education in the participating countries.

 

 

2014-2016 - ProHospiz, an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerhip (KA204)

From 2014 to 2016, the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership ProHospiz will be developed by a group of 5 institutions in Germany, Romania, Poland, Portugal and Spain. The aim of the project is the elaboration of guidelines for establishing services for elderly people, offering a practice-oriented learning tool which transmits basic know-how and core competencies independently from professional background. The role of the Senior University at the partnership is as responsible for the pedagogical approach.

Website of the project: ProHospiz

Final Product of the ProHospiz Project: Mulicultural and practical oriented Guideline for establishing palliative
care services

 

2017-2019 "TIC Tac +55" - Técnicas de Aprendizaxe Combinadas no ensino das TIC para persoas maiores de 55 anos"

A Universidade Sénior, o programa universitario para maiores da Universidade da Coruña, participa dende 2017 no Proxecto Erasmus+ KA104 nomeado “TIC Tac +55 - Técnicas de Aprendizaxe Combinadas no ensino das TIC para persoas maiores de 55 anos”.

No proxecto “TIC Tac +55” participan un consorcio de Programas Universitarios para Maiores do estado español (A Coruña, Alicante, Castellón, Málaga e Salamanca), liderados pola UMA. A través das mobilidades, docentes destes cinco programas universitarios coñecerán diferentes recursos e metodoloxías que fomenten a aprendizaxe de competencias dixitais no alumnado adulto e maior. Como resultado, será elaborado, de xeito colaborativo polos participantes, un manual e serán desenvolvidos obradoiros e conferencias nas institucións participantes para a divulgación dos principais aspectos traballados.

 

Website do Proxecto TIC Tac +55

 

MOBILITIES:

Call for propossal - Learning Mobility to Finland  +  Decision - Mobility to Finland

Call for propossal - Learning Mobilities to Slovakia and Hungary  + Decision - Mobilities to Slovakia and Hungary

 

DISSEMINATION:

1º: "As TIC como destreza de vida para os maiores europeos", by prof. Laura Nieto. A Coruña, March 1st. 2018.

2º: "Implemención de ferramentas tecnolóxicas para mellorar os resultados de aprendizaxe en adultos maiores” / "Creatividade e Innovación de base tecnolóxica para docentes e instructores", by prof. Angela Llano and prof.  Juan José Galán. A Coruña, November 7th. 2018

 

 

2018-2020: Increase and development of manual skills and physical vitality of citizens of the European Union over 50 years (IDEMASAP 50+).

The main goal of the project is to: Increase and develop manual skills and physical vitality in connection with the exchange of best practices in adult education in EU countries.
The project belongs to adult education and focuses on the exchange of best practices in the learning area.
It supports the development and higher effectiveness of continuing education aimed at older adults in particular.

 

Website of the project IDEMASAP 50+

 

2021-2023: Women 55+ vs. COVID19. Partnership for Creativity KA227

Exchange of good practices in supporting the development of personal and social competences and learning skills as well as increasing social inclusion of disadvantaged people.

FB page of the project Women 55+