This presentation describes the philosophy behind the European R&D project Big Foot - Crossing Mountains, Crossing Generations focusing on intergenerational learning for sustainable regional development. It also includes a summary description of the project activities and the achieved results so far. More information can be found at www.bigfoot-project.eu or www.facebook.com/BigFootProject.

1. CROSSING GENERATIONS, CROSSING MOUNTAINS
1
CROSSING GENERATIONS, CROSSING MOUNTAINS
Thomas Fischer, MENON Network EEIG
With the support of Barbara di Pietro, Gouré, Vanina Stoyanova, Centre for the
Development of North-West Bulgaria (CDNWB), Glykeria Thymiakou, Trikala
Development Agency KENAKAP & Christina Strapatsa, Trikala Development Agency
KENAKAP
EDEN Annual Conference, 12 – 15 June 2013, Oslo, Norway – Demonstration Session B4
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2. • Migration of younger people to urban
areas due to the lack of job opportunities
• Socio-cultural marginalization of elderly
people, loss of their role as promoters of
the local knowledge and traditions
• Lack of opportunities of dialogue among
generations and of valorization of existing
younger and older inhabitants
competences
•  in order to support sustainable
community development
Loss of Intergenerational
connections
Sustainable development
challenges
Rural Mountain Community Challenge
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3. Intergenerational Community Service Learning
• Tool focused on community integration
and social dialogue
• Tool aimed at maintaining physically and
mentally active lives of older people
• Tool aimed at making them feel they are
actually useful to society and not a burden
• Thus that in turn gives them a drive to
contribute to community development,
while improving at the same time the
wellbeing of younger generations.
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4. Definition of Intergenerational Learning
“The way that people of all ages can learn together and from each
other. IL is an important part of Lifelong Learning, where the
generations work together to gain skills, values and knowledge.
Beyond the transfer of knowledge, IL fosters reciprocal learning
relationships between different generations and helps to develop
social capital and social cohesion in our ageing societies.
IL is one way of addressing the significant demographic change
we are experiencing across Europe and is as a way of
enhancing intergenerational solidarity through intergenerational
practice (IP).”
(EMIL – European Map of Intergenerational Leaning, 2013)
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5. • Mutual and Reciprocal Benefits;
• Participatory;
• Asset Based;
• Well Planned;
• Culturally Grounded;
• Strengthens community bonds and promotes active
citizenship;
• Challenges Ageism;
• Cross-disciplinary.
Source: Alan Hatton-Jeo, Beth Johnson Foundation in: Almeida Pinto, T. (Ed.) (2009). Guide of Ideas for Planning and
Implementing Intergenerational Projects. Together: yesterday, today and tomorrow. MATES Consortium & Association
VIDA: Lisbon.
Core Principles of Intergenerational Learning

6. • Valorizes skills and knowledge of older
and younger generations
• Combines in Big Foot traditional
knowledge with modern communication
tools and expertise in order to enable
innovative, creative and productive joint
solutions for local sustainable development
Intergenerational Learning Approach of Big Foot
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7. Gubbio,
ITALY
Participating Communities
Trikala,
Greece
Berkovitsa,
Bulgaria
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8. • Analysis of local perspectives, community needs and asses of the
local environmental, historical and cultural resources
• Bottom-up approach
• Dependent on the participation of the community members
• Should reflect their perception of the endogenous development
• Overview of those learning interventions young and elderly people
are interested in, based also on local know-how, which may boost
the local development in the long term
Participatory Mapping: Community Consultations
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9. Participatory mapping has been used to develop the Learning &
Training Interventions in the three Communities:
• a combination of experiential learning and community service
opportunities: focused first on the community needs and
integrating them with the seniors experience, fostering the
dialogue and solidarity among the generations;
• Elderly locals have acted as trainers of younger people,
guardians and messengers of traditional knowledge and
specific local culture to the younger generations, tourists and
interested stakeholders
• Younger participants helped to capture the knowledge
electronically online and offline
Methodology Learning & Training
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10. Bulgaria - Berkovitsa Italy - Gubbio Greece - Trikala
• Excursions and field
trips discovering the
surrounding mountains,
plant and animal
species, learning the
names and associated
history and folklore, as
potential touristic
routes and destinations
• ICT courses
• Digital Mapping of the
Area
• Learning about local
food production and
traditional recipes
through cooking
courses and lectures;
• Storytelling about the
traditional intangible
heritage of the
community;
• ICT courses
• Interactive Cook &
Guide Book of the
Region
• Special class and visit,
hiking trips around four
thematic sessions:
− Traditional local
products and
gastronomy;
− Culture, folklore and
traditional handcraft;
− Historical monuments
and heritage;
− Natural environment
and rural tourism
• Digital Guide Book &
Map
Intergenerational Experiments

11. • Training possibilities and thus tested solutions for the elderly
and younger inhabitants to be socially involved in mutually
beneficial activities;
• A Transferability Tool Kit: transferring the project experience
to other rural areas– printed and digital;
• Intergenerational Approach Handbook;
• Project Website, Communities Livelihood Platform and
Facebook Page;
• Guides on Intangible Heritage and different multimedia
material
Results & Outputs
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12. • Economic development: increasing the added value of existing
activities, diversification of local economies (tourism promotion);
• Valorization of human capital: transmission of activities to
younger generations; promoting entrepreneurship, development of
skills;
• Sustainable management of natural resources, such as through
improved dialogue between the community and protected area
managers;
• Promotion of culture, local heritage and traditions: ensuring
intergenerational communication, maintaining a balance between
economic development
Expected Long Term Impact
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13. Big Foot Partners

14. www.bigfoot-project.eu
www.facebook.com/BigFootProject
Explore Big Foot @
www.bigfoot-project.eu or
www.facebook.com/BigFootProject
Contact me @
thomas.fischer@menon.org.gr
www.menon.org
www.menon.org.gr
Thank you very much for your attention!