In recent years, in Nasielsk a systematic weakening of activity of the inhabitants aged 60+ could have been observed. One of the reasons for the situation was insufficient interest in this social group from the representatives of local authorities and social organisations who ignored their diversity and potential.
The project was a response to the situation where seniors from Nasielsk were seen by officers from local institutions only in the context of care services provision.
The aim of the project was to include the inhabitants aged 60+ in building civil society in Nasielsk.
As a result of the project activities, the Senior Strategy for the Town of Nasielsk was prepared for the years 2015-2020, and adopted in a resolution of the Town Council. The local officers also appreciated the potential of seniors living in Nasielsk.
Under the project, a diagnosis of the needs of seniors was conducted (380 questionnaires, three research walks, three consultation meetings), and then in three thematic teams the strategy was developed. The draft of the document was consulted during 12 workshops, comments could also have been presented using phone or e-mail. The final version of the strategy was presented during a ceremonial event in the local cultural centre and adopted in a resolution of the Town Council
The Partner, the Foundation Unit for Competencies, contributed their experiences in the field of participatory processes, social diagnoses, defining needs of disabled persons and seniors, and reviewing and presenting solutions in the process of developing local public policies. The other partner, the County Employment Bureau, delegated a trainee to the project and shared their experiences in the field of developing social policy.
380 inhabitants of Nasielsk aged 60+ participated in the project.