A new edition of the "Active +" programme will be launched on 1 February this year. Non-governmental organisations have until 28 February to submit offers. The aim of the "Active +" programme, implemented from 2021, is to increase the participation of older people in all areas of social life. Between 2021 and 2025, an amount of PLN 200 million will be allocated for the implementation of this programme.

This year's budget for the "Active +" programme is PLN 40 million. From this pool, NGOs can apply for funding ranging from PLN 25 thousand to even PLN 250 thousand. These funds will be transferred to projects within four areas of activity.

Four areas of the "Active +" programme

• These include social activity, which includes providing assistance to elderly people in active spending of their free time, e.g. by developing volunteering or increasing interest in the labour market. It also involves supporting less independent seniors.
• Social participation, in turn, contributes to strengthening the self-organisation of seniors and increasing their influence on the life of local communities.
• Activities also include assistance for digitally excluded older people.  They increase their skills in using modern technologies and ensure their safe functioning while using modern digital tools.
• Preparing for old age is also important. This is achieved by strengthening lasting intergenerational relations and shaping empathetic attitudes towards older people. It is also important to disseminate a positive image of people in their old age and to conduct activities to promote their safety.

Keeping older people physically, intellectually and socially active is extremely important for maintaining fitness in old age and enjoying everyday life. It is important for seniors to share their potential and experience and knowledge with the younger part of society. We support seniors in these activities under the 'Active +' programme," says the Minister of Family and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg.

Offers under the competition can be submitted only in an electronic version, completed in the Offer Generator available at https://das.mrips.gov.pl/ between 1 and 28 February this year until 4.00 pm. The tasks will be carried out on the basis of one-year contracts from 1 April until the end of 2022.

In 2021, under the "Active +" programme, funding for the implementation of projects was granted to almost three hundred non-governmental organisations. In this year's edition of the programme, the results will be known no later than 15 May 2022.