From 21 to 22 October 2025, the second partnership meeting of the Interreg project ELEVATE took place in Banská Bystrica (Slovakia). Representatives from 17 organisations from 11 countries in the Danube region came together to discuss how cities and communities can be made more liveable and inclusive for all generations, with a particular focus on older people.
The first day focused on an expert exchange on ‘ageing in diversity’.
Our chairwoman Carmen Stadelhofer (ILEU e.V.) opened the thematic part with a presentation on the many ‘faces’ of ageing and emphasised that the needs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th phases of life are very different. She highlighted how education, media, active participation and social cooperation can contribute to creating age-friendly and supportive communities.
The subsequent workshops and presentations showed how European partner organisations develop inclusive governance models and sustainable social structures. The contributions on participatory planning, stakeholder mapping and financing models for inclusive territorial development were particularly inspiring.
On the second day, participants gained practical insight into Slovakian best practice examples. A visit to the Radmera Social Services Facility, an innovative institution of the Centre for Integrated Social and Health Care (CISZS), illustrated how vision, commitment and interdisciplinary cooperation can improve the lives of older people.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to our Slovakian partners – in particular the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region (BBSK) – for their hospitality and inspiring organisation.
The meeting demonstrated once again that it is only through exchange, cooperation and mutual learning that livable, inclusive communities for all generations can be created.
👉 More about the ELEVATE project: www.interreg-danube.eu/elevate