Context/backgroundIncreased life expectancy will lead to a steady increase in the number of people in their „third age“, i.e. age 50 years and older. Within Europe one can expect up to a quarter of the population in this category. Consequently, it is of utmost importance for future Europe to guarantee the highest quality of life for this large group of citizens and ensure that their valuable experience and knowledge are made accessible to society at large. It is against this background that BALL is defined, how best to prepare individuals at an early stage for the „third age“ with emphasis on reinvention for a new job, retirement, learning, cultural environment and ambiance, and sharing of knowledge. This is an innovative approach and has not been done before. The project addresses the urgency to establish guidelines and practices on The results are directed to all actors interested in providing training for citizens, stakeholders on labor market and employees approaching the „third age“. The project intends to raise awareness of the vast and ever increasing „third age“ human resource of knowledge and experiences and its importance for the society as a whole and to the individuals themselves.ObjectivesThe main objective was to develop innovative guidelines and recommendations for use at lifelong learning centres, employers, universities, labor unions, associations, and local or regional authorities who need and wish to prepare and encourage individuals under their auspices to prepare for the third age. The project and its outcomes is intended to raise awareness of these important issues and the results was disseminated throughout the European Educational Area and the worldwide U3A network. Number and profiles of participating organisationsFour partners cooperated in the project. Evris foundation, Iceland, was the applicant partner responsible for management and organisation. U3A Reykjavik provided learning and cultural ambiance and activities for its „third age“ members. Lublin University of the Third Age (LUTW) is under the patronage of five universities in Lublin with the organisational and academic supervision of the Society of Polish Free University. Its Gerontology Section is responsible for creating a friendly and inspiring environment for retired people. The Permanent University, UPUA, Spain, is a scientific, cultural and social program, developed by the University of Alicante to promote Science and Culture, and inter-generational relationships, with a view to improve quality of life for the older generation. Description of undertaken main activitiesThe main activities concentrated on mapping and research to shed light on current situation in the partner countries, including a survey in each partner country. The survey identified opinions and expectations towards retirement of a significant numbers of individuals in each country. The results of these mapping exercises were elaborated, including a comparative study, to form a basis for the resulting recommendations and guidelines. Experts from the partner countries elaborated on these results and defined resulting outcomes and guidelines. A pilot course was conducted in each partner country to test the guidelines and finally the guidelines were edited and published.Methodology The work was conducted through research, mapping and by surveying present situation in the partner countries in accordance with best practices in research methodology of social sciences. The results were tested through pilot courses that were intended to serve as models for preparation and future use of the guidelines and recommendations.Short description of results and impact envisagedThe project resulted in guidelines and recommendations for identified stakeholders, describing “best practices” in preparing individuals early for upcoming enjoyable „third age“. The project outcome is intended to have an impact by engaging, guiding and encouraging organisations, institutions and companies to arrange educative and stimulating events and assist their members and employees in realizing the importance of early preparation for the third age, either on labor market or in preparing for retirement. Potential long-term benefitIt is envisaged that the research undertaken, the resulting guidelines and recommendations will be disseminated widely and that the material will be of use in future activities in a long-term perspective. The future activities of the partners themselves and the stakeholders engaged will certainly be guided by the results. All partners are affiliated with the worldwide U3A network of organisations, which has been a forum for disseminating the results. It is also envisaged that the project will raise awareness among stakeholders on labor market who wish and need to prepare and encourage individuals under their auspices to prepare for third age.

An increasingly larger part of the population in industrialized countries is spending longer time in retirement than before. People can expect on the average a retirement that will last between a quarter to a third of their lifetime. The increasing life expectancy of individuals will lead to a steady increase in the number of people in retirement, their „third age“, and within Europe one can expect up to a quarter of the population in this category. The additional life expectancy of European citizens who have reached the age of 65 is estimated to be around 20 years, and has increased considerably over the last decades (Eurostat Demography Report 2010). The UN report on World Population Ageing 1950-2050 states that „Europe is currently the world’s major area with the highest proportions of older persons and is projected to remain so for at least the next 50 years. About 37 per cent of the European population is projected to be 60 years and above in 2050, up from 20 per cent in 2000 and almost 30 per cent is projected to be 65 and above, up from 15 per cent in 2000“. Consequently, it is of utmost importance for future Europe to guarantee the highest quality of life for this large group of citizens and to ensure that their valuable resources of experience and knowledge are made accessible to the younger generations and to the society at large. It is against this background that the project presented here was defined, aiming at facilitating the entry into dynamic third age, the years after 50, through early and successful planning. This project implemented the recommendations and guidelines developed in an earlier Erasmus + project, BALL (Be Active through Lifelong Learning). A survey undertaken in the BALL project showed that the expectations of people are more towards the positive rather than negative aspects of old age. Based on that conclusion and the team´s belief that it is essential for every individual and stakeholders at the labour market to prepare and to plan for an enjoyable and active latter part of life ( „third age“) the team also believed that it is important have access to appropriate tools and guidance to facilitate this exercise, the emphasis being on creating a stimulating learning environment and ambiance, and on the exchange of knowledge.The main objective of the project was to develop and implement two tools, i.e. European Warehouse of Opportunities and European Academy of Opportunities.There were four partners in this project: 1) Evris Foundation ses (Iceland) that was coordinator and took responsibility in leading an expert group in development of Academy of Opportunities. Evris Foundation was coordinator in previous BALL project and has a team of experts in teaching, development of curricula and coaching 2) U3A Reykjavík (Iceland) had a leading role in the expert group that took care of development of Warehouse of Opportunities. U3A Reykjavík is an association of people in their third age who want to keep on learning and sharing their knowledge. It is a part of an international movement of U3A which has now hundreds of thousands of members worldwide. 3) Kaunas Science and Technology Park (Kaunas STP) (Lithuania) is the largest partners of science and business cooperation in Lithuania. It offers training sessions and consultation for people that wants to establish business. 4) MBM Training and Development Centre (UK) offers trainings, consultancy and coaching for individuals and organisations. The main activities were to develop and implement two outputs, i.e. Warehouse of Opportunities and operating plan for it and an Academy of Opportunities - two tools for individuals at the entry of the third age (50+) and stakeholders at the labour market. All partners shared their expertise in this development work and outputs are highly qualified tools ready to be used in Europe in general (in English) and two specific countries (in Lithuanian and Icelandic). The tools have been presented and activated in countries concerned and presented to worldwide networks that focus on development of people of third age. Other activities, as a part of the development of Academy of Opportunities, were so called pre-pilots and pilots courses, undertaken in all three countries added to a Joint Short term training course. In all three countries there were Multiplier events where intellectual outputs, the two tools, were presented.Project´s consortia believe that longer-term benefits will be that individuals and stakeholders at labor market better understand and start to plan earlier for the the third part of life, i.e. at the age 50+.

The Heritage in Motion project promotes knowledge of local and European heritage in order to foster its values among citizens, to recognise it as an essential resource for the development of European society and to contribute to its dissemination and conservation. The project also develops and implements innovative teaching methods that value the experience and skills of people over 50. The proposed action-research methodology offers this group the opportunity to continue lifelong learning in innovative environments and to be an active part of society, thus avoiding their exclusion and promoting intergenerational cohesion.The main objectives of the project are: - To promote the cultural, cognitive, physical, and scientific development of the elderly.- To foster knowledge of heritage and the values of the European Year of Heritage.- To develop and implement innovative methods of teaching older people. - To promote among older people high quality activities and research of social relevance to minimise the impact of ageing and retirement.The profile of participants is varied: - Adult trainers: minimum 5 teachers per country, specialists in subjects relevant to the thematic of the project's theme, preferably with experience in international projects and linked to the consortium organisations.- Students: 20 persons over 50 per country. The partners are responsible for establishing the necessary requirements. - Committee of Experts: panel of academics, scientists and professionals providing a broad overview of the heritage. At least 5 members per country.The project resulted in the HeiM Methodological Guide - Innovative Methodologies for Adult Education in Cultural Heritage and Active Ageing. The process had two cycles, structured in three phases (orientation, intervention, and evaluation); this methodology ensured the quality of the process through an evaluative system of triangulation. FIRST CYCLE: Preliminary study based on needs analysis,1. Orientation: Focus group with the Committee of Experts and mapping to survey the cultural heritage offer for older adults.2. Intervention: Survey to find out the relevance and interest of heritage resources for the target audience, and the tools and skills needed to transmit heritage in an appropriate way.3. Evaluation: Committee of Experts' evaluation reports, national report and comparative report to ensure triangulation of results. SECOND CYCLE: HeiM Methodological Guide - Innovative Methodologies for Adult Education in Cultural Heritage and Active Ageing1. Orientation: Training programme focusing on heritage subjects, active ageing, English, and new technologies. 2. Intervention: After their training, participants were able to undertake the research and design of 21 routes applying professional techniques. Writing of the guide.3. Evaluation - reports based on surveys to the students and the Committee of Experts about the training programme and the research of the routes. The results obtained belongs to two categories: TANGIBLE RESULTS: - National and comparative reports on the mapping and survey. - Suggestions for improvement from the Committee of Experts on the mapping, survey, training programme and routes design. - Training Programme design. - Design of 21 Active Routes in 5 languages. - National Routes Report. - Publication of the routes. - Methodological Guide in digital format and in 5 languages. - Multiplier events for the presentation of results. INTANGIBLE RESULTS- Confirmation of the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.- Applicability of the skills learnt in future projects.- Recognition of the potential and social relevance of older people.- Promotion of heritage and involvement in its conservation.- Promotion of lifelong learning and active ageing.IMPACTThe consortium continues to disseminate the results, and has achieved impact in:- Adult education institutions: the Centro de Formación, Innovación y Recursos para el Profesorado (CEFIRE) organised a course to implement the methodology created in the project, which offered 16 new proposals based on the guide; the U3As in the UK and Jávea and the UPV are studying its implementation.- Tourist boards and tourist offices, museums and town councils are using the routes created by the partners and find it interesting to use the methodology for the design of active heritage routes for older people.- Elderly people, who have created the HeiM Club in Spain and Iceland to continue researching and creating routes and have requested new training programmes using the methodology used in the project.