The Eldy NGO launched in 2011 an intergenerational project that involved over 20 000 people throughout Italy: students from both secondary and primary schools, teachers, seniors and Public Administrations.
In this context, the students lived an experience of acting as 'Eldy facilitators' to teach seniors the ABC of computer: how to send an email, how to surf on the Internet, how to use the chat to meet new people and keep in touch with their family, how to video-call their loved-ones, how to manage documents and digital photos.
The project was sponsored by the Ministry of Welfare, several Italian Public Administration and other private sponsors interested in strengthening their social corporate responsibility. Public administration recognised the initiative as a possibility for promoting einclusion through ICT and, consequently, enhancing participation of senior Citizens to social life.
The innovative approach of the Eldy platform, the yearlong einclusion experience, the presence of a wide animated community of 400 000 users and the involvement of volunteers who always give support, contributed to the great success of the "Giovani e meno giovani in rete con Eldy" (Young and Seniors together online with Eldy) project which had positive results both in promoting adult digital literacy as well as solidarity between generations.
The Eldy software, which represented the key element of the project, not only simplified teaching and learning, but also enhanced interaction and solidarity between the young and the elderly, in line with the main principles of the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.
Policy Context
Public administration recognised the Eldy initiative as a good opportunity for promoting eInclusion through ICT and, consequently, enhancing participation of senior Citizens to social life.
Description of target users and groups
Seniors and young people.
Technology solution
Eldy is a free software package (www.eldy.eu) conceived by the Eldy NGO that helps senior Citizens use computers and access the Internet, counting more than 400 000 users all over the world. It was specifically designed for older people, with a six button interface, large font, strong colour contrast and simplified language in order to meet the needs of people aged over 55 and help them access online services, improving their quality of life.
Technology choice: Standards-based technologyMain results, benefits and impacts
Here are some of the project's figures:10 000 students from Prep-School to High School trained seniors and 10 000 seniors were trained.
The overall benefit represented by the project comprises the following:
- Increased eInclusion;
- increase of eSkilled people;
- promotion of EY2012;
- promotion of volunteer actions among young people;
- promotion of communication beetween generations.
Return on investment
Return on investment: Not applicable / Not availableLessons learnt
Young people like interacting with seniors especially when they have to talk about technology.
Public administration recognised the ELDY initiative as a good opportunity for promoting eInclusion through ICT and, consequently, enhancing participation of senior Citizens to social life.
The Eldy platform is easy to use and learning is very simple. Moreover, Eldy is free of charge (www.eldy.eu ) and the project can be reused.
Scope: International, Local (city or municipality), National