Population ageing is a global challenge with social, economic and health impacts. Due to low birth rates and increasing average life expectancy, Europe is facing a growing ageing population. This scenario calls for concrete actions to ensure that the senior population remains active in society. At the same time, environmental protection and the fight against climate change require the participation of society as a whole.
In Portugal, we are the fourth country in the European Union with the highest percentage of elderly people living alone. Social isolation is a growing problem, and environmental volunteering can be a powerful tool to fight this reality. Involving seniors in nature conservation activities allows them to feel valued, productive and connected to the community, promoting healthier ageing.
Grey4Green – Senior volunteers for nature conservation is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme whose main aim is to involve senior citizens in environmental volunteering programmes, promoting their active participation in society and encouraging intergenerationality. It also aims to train professionals in the senior citizens sector to develop and implement initiatives that reconcile the well-being of the elderly with environmental actions.
The Grey4Green project is based on BioLiving's experience in working with the elderly population, which began with the Albergaria + Ativa project, which involved four parishes in Albergaria-a-Velha and promoted activities such as intergenerational games, environmental awareness actions and sowing and planting workshops. Now, Grey4Green is extending this mission to a European level, creating new opportunities for senior citizens to take part in meaningful environmental actions.
Over almost three years of the project, Grey4Green has directly involved around 400 people in a wide variety of activities and events, such as two training courses, three senior mobility programmes and six multiplier events.
Among the various resources produced by the consortium, we highlight the Implementation Manual - Senior Volunteers in Nature, the Policy Paper for ‘Unlocking the Potential of Active Ageing for Nature Conservation’ and the Information Video Pack in English (you can check the resources for free at the project website here).
BioLiving's work on social inclusion for seniors and nature conservation has shown that it is possible to combine environmental protection with the well-being of the elderly, creating opportunities for a more meaningful ageing. By valuing the experience and knowledge of the senior population and promoting their participation in society, we contribute to more inclusive and resilient communities.
About BioLiving:
Associação BioLiving is an Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation (ONGA) whose work focuses on four areas of activity:
🌱 Nature Conservation;
🌱 Environmental Education and Training;
🌱 Scientific and Technical Consultancy;
🌱 Social Action and Inclusion.
After more than a decade of work in favour of nature and environmental education, BioLiving was born in 2016 in Frossos, Albergaria-a-Velha, with the aim of bringing ‘Nature and Education for All’ to Portugal and abroad.
