• 30 elderly invited as volunteers to help develop healthy skills and habits, as well as to provide academic and vocational support for children
• 200 children benefiting from intergenerational activities on nutrition, hygiene, sports, and relationships across 5 social centers
• Information & registration: toll-free number 0800 460 001 or www.intergenerational.ro

Elderly people who wish to play an active role in their community and make the most of their experience and knowledge in support of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are invited to join the centers organizing the Generations Clubs for a Healthy Life.  These clubs are designed for children in the community who need guidance and support for a physically and socially balanced life, help with homework or personal talent development, as well as encouragement and inspiring role models.

The pandemic period increased pressure on disadvantaged families, deepening social inequalities, worsening school dropout rates, and reducing children’s chances of continued education and a balanced life. To support them, community day centers aim to compensate in various ways for unmet needs and contribute to children’s development through non-formal educational activities. This is also the case of social centers in Arad, Bucharest, Buziaș, Mărculești, and Turnu Măgurele, which continued to operate throughout the pandemic as after-school centers in support of children in the community:

• Oaza Association – Arad
• Generations Community Center – Bucharest
• Stern der Hoffnung Association – Buziaș, Timiș County
• Sămărineni în Comunitate Association – Mărculești, Ialomița County
• Florian Cristescu Community Development Association – Turnu Măgurele, Teleorman County

A total of 30 elderly are invited to get involved in theoretical or practical activities focused on healthy living, as well as in supporting schoolwork and children’s vocational development, thus having the opportunity to make use of their experience or passions. The Generations Clubs will be organized under the guidance of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, based on a methodology designed to create functional and beneficial links between disadvantaged children and valuable elderly members of the community. During periods of sanitary restrictions, activities will be carried out in compliance with hygiene and safety regulations recommended by the authorities or will be moved outdoors or online.

Generations Clubs for a Healthy Life represent a series of themed sessions on nutrition, hygiene, sports, and social relationships, proposed and organized by elderly volunteers between October 2021 and March 2022. Implemented across the five communities, the clubs aim to improve quality of life and the physical and relational development prospects of 200 disadvantaged children by building healthy habits and skills and reinforcing them through the provision of hygiene and sanitary products.

Education, guidance, practical support, and positive role models are essential in helping children facing difficult life situations to grow, give up harmful habits, and move away from dysfunctional patterns that are often perpetuated to their disadvantage. Elderly mentors can help pass on principles related to physical balance—through nutrition, sports, hygiene, and clothing—as well as develop adaptive emotional skills such as self-confidence and respect for oneself and others, and prevention of addictions, deviant behaviors, or other behavioral disorders that can lead to social or educational marginalization. Intergenerational interactions also have the potential to enhance empathy, cooperation, discipline, and communication across generations, offering new perspectives to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Elderly mentors involved in the Generations Clubs may continue supporting the centers over a longer period, even after the project ends, in order to deepen and consolidate the topics addressed.

Generations Clubs for a Healthy Life create the premises for positive development for participating children, both academically and personally, driving important changes in attitudes and behavior now and in the future. At community level, intergenerational collaboration benefits children, the elderly, and social centers alike, builds sustainable community resources, and represents a replicable model for other communities.

Elderly people who wish to take part in the project can request information and register by calling the toll-free number 0800 460 001 or visiting www.intergenerational.ro

The project Generations Clubs for a Healthy Life is run by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation in five communities and is funded through the “In Stare de Bine” program, supported by Kaufland Romania and implemented by the Civil Society Development Foundation.

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About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation

The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is one of Romania’s leading non-governmental organizations, contributing to the development of civil society through social and educational programs. With over 31 years of activity, the Foundation supports children, young people, and the elderly through sustainable interventions based on the exchange of experience and values between generations. More details about the Foundation’s programs are available at fundatiaregala.ro/

About the “În stare de bine” Program

The "În stare de bine" program is a funding initiative that annually offers non-repayable grants totaling 1 million euros to non-governmental organizations in Romania. The program is supported by Kaufland Romania and implemented by the Civil Society Development Foundation. Its objective is to improve the quality of life in rural and urban communities by supporting initiatives with a positive impact in the fields of culture, sports, or healthy living, with a priority focus on vulnerable groups. More information: www.instaredebine.ro.

About Kaufland România

Kaufland is among the largest retail companies in Europe, with over 1,270 stores in 7 countries and a network of 126 stores in Romania. Assuming ecological and social responsibility is a core element of Kaufland’s corporate policy. The company believes the world can be a better place through individual involvement; therefore, in 2018, Kaufland developed the platform “Involvement Makes the Difference”, under which all corporate social responsibility actions are communicated. Most of the company’s CSR projects are carried out in partnership with regional or national non-governmental organizations and aim to implement complex social programs addressing large groups of beneficiaries. For more information, visit: www.kaufland.ro.

About the Civil Society Development Foundation

The Civil Society Development Foundation (FDSC) is an independent non-governmental organization established in 1994 at the initiative of the European Commission. FDSC promotes a strong and sustainable civil society that contributes to the defense of democratic values by supporting civil society actors, mobilizing resources, encouraging an enabling environment, and strengthening cooperation with other sectors. For more information, visit: www.fdsc.ro.