A space for meetings, conversations, science, creativity – to integrate within and between generations. With the end of 2020, the Multiannual “Senior+” and the Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens have ended – we continue to act. Between 2021-2025 we will spend a total of PLN 500 million for a completely new programme “Active+” and “Senior+”, says Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.

The end of 2020 also marks the end of the multi-annual programmes for the elderly “Senior+” and the government programme for active inclusion of the elderly.

– Recent years have shown how important and necessary this action was, and we do not intend to resign. We will spend PLN 500 million in total between 2021-2025 for the “Senior+” and the brand new “Active+” programmes which will replace the existing Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens. We wish to ensure the elderly with the space to be active, integrated, to be able to fulfil their passions and dreams – emphasized Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.

Active as a senior

Under the government programme “Active+”, non-governmental organisations as well as other authorised entities acting for the benefit of the elderly will be eligible to apply for co-financing for the projects in the amount between PLN 25 thousand up to PLN 250 thousand. Between 2021-2025, the expenditures amounted to PLN 200 million.

The co-financing is granted in four priority areas.

• Social activities, which include activities aiming to increase the participation of the elderly in active leisure activities, the support for the elderly who are not self-reliant and their living environment, development of the voluntary work of the elderly in the local environment and increasing the involvement of the elderly in the labour market.
• Social participation, which contributes to strengthening the self-organisation of seniors and to the increase the influence seniors have on the quality of life of citizens.
• Digital inclusion, including measures to improve the skills of the elderly to use modern technologies and new media, and to promote and implement inclusive technology and the safe functioning of seniors.
• Preparation for old age through strengthening lasting relations between generations, fostering a positive image of the elderly and enhancing the security of seniors.

“Senior+” is a second home to many

The Senior+ houses and clubs established and co-financed under the Program are not regular establishments. They are places to meet, establish a relationship, create a space for creativity and learn new things – they are like second homes to plenty of participants

– This is a great value and we have decided that the programme will continue in the coming years. The opinions of the participants best prove that they need the space to feel good, safe and able to pursue their interests – says Minister Marlena Maląg.

The budget of the “Senior+” programme for 2021-2025 amounts to PLN 300 million

How did it go so far?

In 2015, the expenditures on the “Senior+” programme amounted to PLN 30 million At that time, 99 houses and clubs for the seniors were established in Poland, and the number of participants was less than 2.8 thousand In recent years, the annual budget of the programme has already amounted to 80 million zlotys and 678 new institutions have been set up in the years 2016-2020. Estimates show that in 2020 there were over 24.5 thousand participants in homes and senior+ clubs.

The Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens in turn amounts to PLN 200 million, nearly 1750 completed projects and nearly 800 000 participants in 2016-2020.