Author: ESSEI

“A Year Better” (AYB) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union, proudly announces the successful implementation of Work Package 3 (WP3): Development of AYB Training Content, coordinated by E-Seniors (France) with the active contribution of all project partners from Spain, France, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, and Belgium.

Building upon the research and mapping achieved in WP2, WP3 focused on creating engaging, learner-centered training materials designed to enhance seniors’ Digital Survival Skills in line with the European DigComp framework.

Within this work package, the consortium has:

• Developed 10 interactive and accessible training modules, each lasting up to 45 minutes, addressing practical digital skills related to online banking, cybersecurity, social participation, independent living, and active ageing.
• Created a full set of supporting materials, including:
  • Training content in word and PowerPoint versions 
  • Thematic glossary and self-assessment quizzes
  • Video summaries, and certificates of completion
• We are currently preparing multilingual translations of all training content into six languages, ensuring accessibility for seniors across Europe and strengthening the inclusivity of the project’s outputs.

A Step Towards Digital Empowerment

The AYB training program aims to empower older adults to develop essential digital competences, enabling them to navigate everyday online environments safely and confidently. Each course is designed to be short, practical, and easy to follow—promoting autonomy and lifelong learning.

By integrating the DigComp framework with a senior-focused approach, WP3 marks a significant step in improving the quality, flexibility, and accessibility of adult education in Europe.

With the completion of WP3, AYB now moves forward to Work Package 4, which will focus on deploying and piloting the training modules through the project’s multilingual Open Educational Resources (OER) platform.

Join us on our journey toward a digitally inclusive and empowered society!

To access the training modules currently available in English: https://ayearbetter.eu/training.php?lang=EN

For more information about the AYB project:
🌐 www.ayearbetter.eu 
📸 www.instagram.com/ayearbetter 
📘 www.facebook.com/ayearbetter 
📧 ayearbetter@gmail.com 
#AYearBetter #ErasmusPlus #DigitalInclusion #ActiveAgeing 

“A Year Better” project, co-funded by Erasmus+, is pleased to announce the successful completion of Work Package 2 (WP2), dedicated to the mapping of Digital Survival Skills in line with the European DigComp framework. The finalization of WP2 is the result of a common effort of partners from Spain, France, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, and Belgium, who closely cooperated to reach the common goal.

Within WP2, the consortium has:

• Identified and analysed essential digital skills for seniors, with a focus on how these skills can help combat digital isolation
• Assessed existing tools and digital resources available to older adults, highlighting both strengths and gaps
• Compared European, national, and local standards to outline a clear and coherent framework of “Digital Survival Skills”

The mapping results will serve as the foundation for the project’s next stages, particularly:

• the design of multilingual training modules in Work Package 3
• the development of the Open Educational Resources (OER) platform hosting training materials
• a strategic approach to fostering the digital inclusion of older adults

The AYB team is now building on these findings to create practical and accessible training content, which will be piloted in the coming months. With WP2 finalised, the project moves one step closer to its overarching goal: strengthening digital competences, promoting autonomy, and supporting seniors’ active participation in today’s digital society.

For more details about WP2 outcomes, visit the Mapping section on the official website.

For more information about AYB project:

www.ayearbetter.eu

www.instagram.com/ayearbetter

www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

ayearbetter@gmail.com

Join us on this journey towards a digitally inclusive future for all!

On 17 September 2025, the partners of the European project A YEAR BETTER (AYB), co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, gathered in Málaga (Spain) for a Transnational Project Meeting. Hosted by Arrabal-AID and IT Solutions For All, the meeting brought together representatives from the six partner organisations across Spain, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, and Belgium to review progress, share updates, and plan the next stages of the project.

The agenda opened with a welcome and introduction by the hosting partners, followed by a session on Project Management (Work Package 1) to ensure coordination and smooth implementation. Partners then discussed the official closure of WP2, led by IAL FVG (IT), focusing on mapping Digital Survival Skillsagainst the DigComp framework and identifying digital solutions to help seniors combat loneliness and foster inclusiveness.

The highlight of the meeting was WP3, presented by E-Seniors (FR), which centers on the development of a multilingual training curriculum tailored to seniors’ needs. Building on the findings of WP2, the training will include 10 modules, available in six languages, covering essential areas such as financial literacy, social participation, independent living, and active ageing. The partners discussed the structure, methodology, and content of these modules, ensuring they address real challenges faced by ICT low-skilled seniors and late digital adopters. WP3 represents a cornerstone of the project, as it directly empowers seniors to use online tools for daily needs and to maintain their independence in a digital society.

IT Solutions For All then presented the progress of WP4, which involves the development and piloting of the AYB Open Educational Resources (OER) platform, the main hub where seniors will access the training materials and resources created during the project. A workshop on green and sustainable practices further enriched the agenda, underlining the consortium’s commitment to sustainability.

The meeting concluded with a joint session dedicated to next steps, action items, and future collaboration opportunities.

The A YEAR BETTER project is committed to empowering seniors by enhancing their digital skills, promoting social inclusion, and supporting active ageing. Through its training program and OER platform, AYB is paving the way for a more inclusive digital society where seniors can remain independent, connected, and confident in their everyday lives.

For more information about AYB project:

www.ayearbetter.eu

www.instagram.com/ayearbetter

www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

ayearbetter@gmail.com

Join us on this journey towards a digitally inclusive future for all!

With Europe’s population aging rapidly, digital exclusion among seniors remains a growing concern. The Erasmus+ project “A Year Better” (AYB) addresses this challenge by equipping older adults with the skills to navigate the digital world, enhancing their independence, inclusion, and quality of life.

On May 20th, 2025, partners met in Brussels, hosted by the Belgian partner IHF asbl, for the project’s first in person meeting. The session focused on reviewing progress and aligning the next steps across all the Work Packages.

Key discussions included project coordination (WP1), mapping activities (WP2), training development in six languages (WP3), and the design of AYB’s user-friendly Open Educational Resources platform (WP4). A dedicated workshop on green practices further connected AYB’s goals with broader sustainability principles.

A highlight of the meeting was Work Package 2 (WP2), led by IAL FVG, which focuses on mapping essential Digital Survival Skills aligned with the DigComp framework. WP2 identifies the competencies seniors need to manage daily online tasks—such as healthcare access and financial services—safely and independently. It also collects free, user-friendly digital tools available in each partner country (Spain, Italy, Poland, North Macedonia) and across the EU, promoting social inclusion and reducing loneliness.

Each partner has conducted secondary research and produced national reports, soon to be available on the project website. Together, these resources will form a digital repository to support targeted training and sustainable upskilling paths for seniors.

As the project moves forward, A Year Better continues to foster digital inclusion for older adults—ensuring they are confident, connected, and empowered in a digital society.

🔗 www.ayearbetter.eu

A YEAR BETTER consortium proudly announces the launch of its Open Educational Resources (OER) platform, a key milestone in its mission to promote digital inclusion and support active ageing across Europe.

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, A YEAR BETTER brings together six partners from Spain, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia and Belgium. The project aims to equip elderly citizens with essential digital skills, helping them navigate everyday tasks, combat loneliness and foster social participation through technology.

The newly launched AYB OER Platform will serve as a dynamic, user-friendly online space offering:

• Training materials in 6 languages – ensuring accessibility for a diverse European audience.
• Digital survival skills resources – mapped against the EU’s DigComp framework.
• A repository of digital tools – designed to reduce isolation and promote inclusiveness.

The platform will also undergo pilot testing with participants from the partner countries, gathering feedback to refine its content and functionality. In this way, the AYB project aligns with the EU’s Active Ageing Strategy, contributing to:

• Inclusion and diversity, by addressing the digital gap among seniors.
• Digital tranformation through practical ICT training.
• Upskilling pathways that empower older adults to remain independent and engaged.

The AYB OER Platform represents a vital step towards a more digitally inclusive society, where seniors can feel confident and connected.

For more information about AYB and how to get involved, please visit www.ayearbetter.eu or contact ayearbetter@gmail.com.

Follow us on social media:

• www.instagram.com/ayearbetter
• www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

On December 13, 2024, the six partner organisations of the A YEAR BETTER (AYB) project gathered online for the official launch meeting. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, this innovative initiative brings together partners from Spain, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia and Belgium, with a shared mission: fostering a digitally inclusive society for the elderly.

The meeting started with a warm welcome and introduction by IT Solutions For All (ES) as the project’s coordinator. This was followed by a round of presentations where each partner had the opportunity to introduce their institution.

The core agenda of the A YEAR BETTER kickoff meeting focused on key project milestones and collaboration strategies. IT Solutions For All introduced the project’s goals and timelines, followed by IAL FVG’s presentation on mapping digital survival skills for seniors, aligning with the DigComp framework, and curating digital solutions to combat loneliness and foster inclusiveness. E-Seniors outlined the development of AYB training in six languages to ensure accessibility across Europe. IT Solutions For All also presented the creation of an open educational resource (OER) platform to host and pilot these materials. The meeting wrapped up with a review of upcoming tasks and collaboration plans, setting the stage for the project’s next steps.

A YEAR BETTER aligns with the EU’s Active Ageing strategy by promoting digital empowerment among the elderly. Through tailored training and accessible online tools, AYB aims to enhance digital skills and raise awareness of online resources, making seniors more self-sufficient and supporting social inclusion and welfare across the EU, and equip elderly individuals with the knowledge to use digital tools for everyday tasks, fostering their independence and participation in the digital economy.

With a strong consortium and a clear roadmap, A YEAR BETTER is set to create meaningful pathways for digital upskilling, contributing to a more inclusive and connected Europe.

For more information about AYB project:

www.ayearbetter.eu

www.instagram.com/ayearbetter

www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

ayearbetter@gmail.com

Join us on this journey towards a digitally inclusive future for all!

In preparation of the Guidelines for future Use…

Since March 2021, the SOS Creativity’ strategic partnership – an international consortium represented by eight organisations from six Member States – is collaborating to develop new training resources and methodologies for the empowerment of seniors’ ICT skills and proficiency. So far, the implementation of the project lead to the following results – concrete deliverables of the project that are available for free consultation via the official Open Education Resource Platform: https://www.soscreativity.eu/index.php

1. The set-up of the very website of the project: digital repository of news, material and training resources delivered by partners throughout implementation. The access to the platform does not require any log-in credential, so as to ease as much as possible the usability of the content within, and project’s digital identity among relevant stakeholders and groups of interest. Each upload is translated into all official languages of the Countries represented by participating organisation, in order to facilitate the browsing experience even of non-proficient ENG speakers.

• The SOS Self-Assessment tool: a tailored-made algorithm which calculates the level of IT risks awareness of target group users in the field of online cultural resources available. The IT index will be an instrument that allows adults to assess their awareness in the domain of IT risks related to cultural offers. The SOS Self-Assessment Tool will not be a statistical index, but an operational tool to support the development of targeted-training solutions for adults.

• The SOS Cultural Resources Mapping: an international assessment of free cultural resources and creativity tools already available online in each partners’ countries aiming at extrapolating and intercepting those digital skills and competences that late digitals might need to make the most of them and have an in-depth analysis of the phenomenology on the degree of digital gap among ICT-low-skilled adults.

• The SOS Training Curricula on basic IT skills for digital tardive: a total of 12 training modules, designed and conceived to trigger’s few essentials learning outcomes as identified per project proposal:
  • Essentials of cultural and media literacy
  • Personal Data protection and Online Security
  • Economic transactions
  • Digital Identity

Each of the training module is tailored to provide for easy-to-assess and ready-to-use capacity building material that can help targets in acquiring new knowledge and competences to browse the web safely, effectively and efficiently. 

Interacting with digital technologies for entertainment and culture	Basics of digital technologies: what you should know about internet	Social media communication for culture and creativity
Cultural opportunities online	It is never too late to… Spend money on culture, comfortably seated on the armchair	Digital identity and online reputation
How to identify missing information and fake news online in a culture relevant context	Threats and challenges on social media: dos and donts	What is gdpr?
Developing digital content. Integrating and reworking digital content.	Online security and creativity: what’s up?	Platforms promoting culture and how they work

Each of these modules has been delivered in piloting version and the overall curricula reached a cohort of 180 people, representative both of final users and STKHs in general (i.e., professionals operating in the domain of Adult Education).

Results emerging from the validation cycle (i.e., impression of learners and participants) have been collected by all partners after conclusion of the training sessions and shared with the whole consortium for assessment and stock taking of lessons learnt.

These inputs will flow into the SOS Guidelines for Future Use: this document will guarantee transferability as they will be a tool to guide Adult Education teachers and operators who intend to engage in a process of raising awareness and training late digitals on a more conscious use of cultural and creative resources in general and on Internet and social media risks and opportunities as a side effect.

The guidelines will refer to both practical and organizational aspects as well as issues of educational-pedagogical approach and content. These will be of great use to encourage the introduction of SOS Creativity training courses in elderly centres or organizations.