Database of good practices on ageing

Older persons and orphaned children.

This initiative brought purpose and dignity to older persons, while providing mentorship and knowledge to the orphaned children. It contributed to building up intergenerational relationships.

This initiative fostered intergenerational connection with positive impact for both young and old. It combined learning, emotional well-being and material support.

Persons of pre-retirement and retirement age (50+), NGOs and public institutions, social entrepreneurs, regional and federal authorities

It is a federally supported, multi‑regional initiative that builds a connected system of programs, accelerators, and partnerships to help older people remain socially active, economically engaged, and publicly visible, while strengthening cooperation between civil society, the state, and the economy.

• Благотворительные фонды | НКО и старшие
• egov-buryatia.ru/press_center/news/detail.php?ID=200139

The primary beneficiaries are older persons and persons with disabilities, who benefit from increased communication, attention, care, and participation in social and creative activities. A key secondary beneficiary group consists of young people (students and adolescents), who gain experience in social responsibility, empathy, and intergenerational communication. The project was/ is implemented in the Tyumen region of the Russian Federation, where it contributes to strengthening social cohesion within the local community.

As a result of the project thousands of older persons experience reduced social isolation and loneliness through regular communication and involvement in meaningful activities. Practical everyday needs of older people are supported through targeted assistance. Young participants develop respect for older generations, civic responsibility, and moral values while connections between generations are strengthened, supporting the continuity of social and cultural experience. The project contributes to improving the emotional wellbeing of older persons while fostering socially responsible attitudes among youth.

The project was developed and implemented as a systematic, long‑term initiative combining volunteerism, education, and social support. It includes three interconnected directions: “The Road of Kindness” – organization of leisure and social activities for older people; “Territory of Partnership” – provision of targeted practical assistance to older people; and “Skilled Hands” – creative workshops and master classes involving both generations. Through these components, the project ensures regular interaction between young volunteers and older beneficiaries, combining care, creativity, and learning.

The project addresses both the social needs of older persons and the educational and civic development of youth. It promotes intergenerational dialogue as a tool to reduce loneliness and social exclusion, and integrates practical assistance with emotional, cultural, and creative engagement. The project strengthens values of empathy, responsibility, and respect across generations.

• Диалог поколений. Забота о пожилых и маломобильных

Vulnerable groups (low income and young families)

Family volunteers visited and supported a total of 38 low-income vulnerable families, including both social, physical and financial support.

The Family Volunteers (Ailə Könüllüləri) project was developed and implemented by the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan. The project recruited volunteer families from different regions of the country and coordinated their participation through the Committee’s regional structures. Volunteer families carried out home visits and direct community outreach, focusing on providing moral, social and psychological support to vulnerable groups. According to official project descriptions, activities included visiting elderly people living alone, families of martyrs and wounded veterans, low-income families, and single-parent households. Implementation took place across 37 regions, with activities coordinated centrally and carried out locally. In 2021, volunteer families visited and supported 302 vulnerable families, demonstrating nationwide implementation through structured volunteer engagement and supervision by the State Committee.

The project is considered a good practice because it introduces an innovative family-based volunteering model, engaging entire households rather than individuals in social support activities. It is replicable, as it relies on low-cost community volunteering coordinated through existing government structures and can be implemented in different regions. The approach is sustainable, as it strengthens community solidarity and voluntary engagement without requiring permanent service delivery infrastructure.

"Family Volunteers" Project | Ageing Policies Database - UNECE     

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The target audience of the project are elderly people, including those with disabilities; socially active older citizens; children in social institutions; and adolescents with behavioral challenges. 

As part of the project, 34 senior volunteers provide regular home care to 54 citizens - pensioners, large families, persons with disabilities, and WWII veterans (providing food and essential items, hygiene procedures, cleaning premises, assistance in obtaining medical care, etc.); 22 pupils of the Volzhsky Children's Home regularly gain home economics skills and participate in amateur and educational activities; 20 students of Secondary School No. 1 in Volzhsky receive additional English and literature lessons. 

The project explicitly targets intergenerational bonding and combating both loneliness among older people and emotional deprivation among institutionalized children. It is an example of grass-roots self-help where different vulnerable population groups are enabled to support each other.

The primary beneficiaries were children with disabilities, who received emotional support, social interaction, and engaging leisure activities. Secondary beneficiaries were older persons who volunteered and gained social engagement, purpose, and active participation in community life. Families of children with disabilities also benefited indirectly through improved child well-being and supportive social interaction. The practice thus addressed the needs of both vulnerable children and older citizens, strengthening intergenerational ties.

The practice demonstrated measurable positive outcomes. Since 2019, the number of children with disabilities participating in the project increased by 25%, while the number of “silver-age” volunteers grew by 27%. Parents reported that activities were both useful and emotionally beneficial for children. Overall, the practice contributed to improved emotional and psychological well-being of participants and generated positive feedback from families and volunteers alike.

The practice was developed through a structured preparation process led by social service specialists. Silver volunteers underwent special training to prepare them for interaction with children with disabilities and their families. The preparatory phase lasted about one month, after which volunteers began direct engagement with beneficiaries. Ongoing coordination by social service staff ensured quality, safety, and consistency of activities. The model emphasizes low-cost, human-centered development based on local community resources.

It is simple, low-cost, and scalable, while delivering measurable social impact. It effectively combines intergenerational solidarity with volunteerism, improves quality of life for vulnerable groups, and uses existing community resources. Clear results, positive feedback, and replication in other regions demonstrate its sustainability and transferability. The practice also strengthens social cohesion and addresses isolation among older citizens and children with disabilities simultaneously.

• https://smarteka.com/practices/babuskiny-skazki-0 

The primary beneficiaries were older persons and persons with disabilities attending the daycare department of the Zhukovsky KTsSON, who gained opportunities for volunteering, learning, creativity, and social interaction. Secondary beneficiaries were preschool children, who received new educational games, teaching aids, puppet theaters, and enriched developmental environments. Preschool educators also benefited from additional resources and support. Indirect beneficiaries included families, local communities, and the social service system, which benefited from strengthened intergenerational ties, increased civic engagement among seniors, and a low‑cost, environmentally friendly model of community support.

The main result was an increase in social activity and community participation among older persons and persons with disabilities. Intergenerational continuity was strengthened through joint events and regular interaction with preschool children. By 2022, the volunteer group expanded by 60% and established cooperation with three preschools. Volunteers produced 25 educational games and tools, 9 tabletop puppet theaters, and numerous decorative items. Six intergenerational events were held. Most participants mastered or improved more than seven handicraft techniques, contributing to improved cognitive functioning, fine motor skills, and self‑confidence. Interest in volunteering increased, and preschools reported high satisfaction.

The practice developed incrementally. After an initial pilot activity in December 2019, a formal volunteer group was created in January 2020. The team leader established contacts with preschool management to identify specific needs. A work plan and production schedule were developed based on the volunteers’ skills and interests. Handicraft classes were held twice a week, allowing participants to learn and exchange techniques such as felting, decoupage, polymer clay modeling, papier‑mâché, and puppet making. Despite pandemic‑related limitations in 2020, production continued. In subsequent years, partnerships deepened, volunteer numbers increased, and activities diversified. Feedback from preschools and direct interaction with children helped refine and sustain the practice.

It is simple, low‑cost, replicable, and effective. It builds on existing social service infrastructure and local partnerships, requires minimal financial resources, and uses recycled and donated materials. The practice simultaneously addresses multiple objectives: social inclusion, active ageing, volunteering, intergenerational solidarity, and lifelong learning. It empowers older persons as contributors rather than recipients of support and produces tangible benefits for children and educational institutions. The model has demonstrated sustainability, adaptability during crisis conditions, and measurable social outcomes, making it suitable for scaling and replication in other communities.

• https://smarteka.com/practices/pomogaa-drugim-pomogau-sebe-0?tab=task

Primary beneficiaries were older persons and schoolchildren and students. Educators and cultural institutions also benefitted.

27 physical "suitcase museums" were prepared as well as additional "video-suitcases".

The initiative started in the city of Penza and then expanded to 10 regions of the Russian Federation. The initiative was supported by a Presidential grant.

The initiative strengthened intergenerational dialogue, humanized history through lived experience, reduced social isolation of older people, reinforced a sense of dignity, usefulness, and societal contribution among senior participants, and increased emotional engagement of young people with history.

Persons with dementia and their caregivers and communities. 

As of 2022 over 300 persons with dementia are wearing such QR code stickers and several "wanderers" have been successfully reunited with their caregivers. It has provided persons with dementia and their caregivers with increased confidence to be able to safely "age in place".

The "NailQ" initiative was developed in consultation with hospitals, communities, caregivers and persons with dementia to ensure easy application and effectiveness. Since the QR code sticker is attached to the thumbnail, there is no worry of forgetting or losing it. Also, everyone with a smart phone can easily make use of QR code technology and the stickers are comparatively cheap. 

As of 2022 over 300 persons with dementia are wearing such QR code stickers and several wanderers have been successfully reunited with their caregivers.

The nail jell sticker is a simple low-cost solution. Unlike more expensive wearable GPS devices, it cannot be forgotten or break, and no batteries are needed. It is also more discrete and protects the safety of the wearer as no personal information is shared - just confirmation of identity and contacts of caregivers.

Japan tracks dementia patients with QR codes attached to fingernails - BBC News

https://share.google/bdWHGkO8ZKAFlgHuv

Where a Thousand Digital Eyes Keep Watch Over the Elderly - The New York Times

Older adults seeking active, interest-based leisure; families benefitting from intergenerational activities, and local artists and artisans gaining platforms for expression and audience engagement.

The practice nurtured meaningful intergenerational interaction through shared, accessible outdoor events. Up to 50 weekly events across multiple locations had more than 406000 visitors in one summer season. The practice strengthened project capacity among local creative groups, increased cultural participation, supported tourism, and enriched community life with accessible and diverse outdoor activities.

The practice was developed by creating the necessary infrastructure for outdoor events, mobilizing local artists, creative collectives, and masters, and curating a diverse program accessible to all generations. The design emphasized family traditions, cultural heritage, and intergenerational participation, ensuring events were inclusive for older adults, children, youth, and families. Coordination included logistics, safety measures, and weekly programming across city locations.

The practice is effective because it unites residents of all ages, strengthens intergenerational bonds, and promotes active ageing by involving older persons in culturally rich, community‑based leisure. Its scalable model—multiple outdoor venues, weekly programming, and diverse activity formats—ensures inclusivity and broad participation. Strong results, high attendance, cultural revitalization, and improved community cohesion make it a replicable and impactful model for other regions.

• 6b714944-66ef-4b63-b4ff-3c0b0443f57e0aa779f8-8579-481a-b03b-7de889efb67c.pdf