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Gorazd Rituper

Senioriada Brings Energy and Vitality to Varaždin

A two-day celebration of active and healthy living for older adults

The Senioriada, organised by the Public Open University Varaždin with the support of the City of Varaždin, brought together numerous pensioners’ associations from across the city for two days of learning, activity, and fun. Designed to promote mental and physical vitality among older adults, the event offered an engaging programme combining information sessions with hands-on sports and recreational activities.

The event forms part of the European Sensyn project, which has, since October 2023, been encouraging older adults to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle through lifelong learning. Key activities so far have included developing a digital collection of good practices and creating a curriculum based on focus group findings. One of the highlights of the project is a series of international gatherings – the Senioriadas – the first of which was hosted in Varaždin, with further events to follow in Murska Sobota (6–7 May), Ptuj (26–27 May), and Samobor (4–5 September).

The Senioriada in Varaždin opened on 15 April 2025 at the Gaj Cinema, with a welcome from Ms Lana Velimirović Vukalović, Director of the Public Open University Varaždin, and Mr Neven Bosilj, Mayor of Varaždin. After their opening speeches, a panel discussion gave project partners the chance to present programmes available to pensioners in their respective cities, with a focus on strategies to reach and engage a wider audience.

Local associations also took the stage to share their activities: the Older Persons’ Club (presented by Ms Milena Klinec), the Drava Nordic Walking Association (Ms Katica Kalajdžija), the Rem-CHI Association (Ms Nataša Remar), the Futur Egzaktni Association (Mr Branimir Mihalinec), and the City of Varaždin Pensioners’ Association (Mr Branko Družinić).

Following the presentations, two inspiring lectures were held: “Health in the Golden Years” by Dr Irena Stipešević Rakamarić, and “Ladies in Historical Costumes” by Ms Vesna Loparić. Thanks to the support of the Red Cross Varaždin, participants could also check their blood sugar levels and blood pressure on site. The evening programme closed with a free screening of the Croatian film classic Who Sings Means No Harm at the Gaj Cinema.

The second day shifted into a lively, sporting spirit at the Graberje Sports Hall. The associations from the first day were joined by the Varaždin Chess Club and the Lagoda Varaždin Disc Golf Club. Activities began with a group warm-up, before participants had the chance to try disc golf, Nordic walking, Qi Gong exercises, traditional folk dances, seated exercises, and chess.

A cheerful and supportive atmosphere filled the hall throughout the morning, with participants enthusiastically joining activities across different groups, encouraging one another along the way. Over 150 participants from Varaždin and the surrounding area took part in the event.

The excellent turnout and high levels of engagement clearly showed that older citizens are not only eager but fully capable of achieving their potential through a variety of activities — and that an active lifestyle is a key factor in maintaining both physical health and mental vitality.

The media coverage of the event:

VTV televizija https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYsXRWOPero
Radio Megaton https://radiomegaton.hr/zapocela-je-seniorijada-dvodnevno-dogadanje-za-varazdinske-umirovljenike/?0caa817cc9532f3768b1cce7492ca182=51
VTV televizija https://www.vtv.hr/vijesti/item/15902-u-varazdinu-otvoren-program-seniorijade-s-raznim-sadrzajima-i-aktivnostima-za-osobe-starije-zivotne-dobi
Grad Varaždin https://varazdin.hr/novosti/zapocela-seniorijada-dvodnevno-dogadanje-varazdinske-umirovljenike-11979/
Varaždinske vijesti https://www.varazdinske-vijesti.hr/drustvo/foto-zapocela-seniorijada-dvodnevno-dogadanje-za-varazdinske-umirovljenike-92304
Aktualno HR https://vzaktualno.hr/u-varazdinu-pocela-seniorijada-koja-je-namijenjena-starijim-sugradanima/
Sjever hr
 https://sjever.hr/clanak/u-varazdinskom-kinu-gaj-sluzbeno-otvorena-seniorijada
HIA https://www.hia.com.hr/izdvojeno/dogadanja/item/44403-u-varazdinu-se-15-i-16-travnja-odrzava-seniorijada
Varaždinski hr https://varazdinski.net.hr/vijesti/drustvo/13419895/uspjesno-odrzana-seniorijada-u-varazdinu/
VTV televizija https://www.facebook.com/vtvtelevizija/videos/u-organizaciji-pu%C4%8Dkog-otvorenog-u%C4%8Dili%C5%A1ta-vara%C5%BEdin-i-uz-organizacijsku-podr%C5%A1ku-gr/9939262439440165/
Varaždinske vijesti https://www.varazdinske-vijesti.hr/drustvo/foto-uspjesno-odrzana-seniorijada-u-varazdinu-92384
Sjeverni info https://www.sjeverni.info/odrzavanje-mentalne-i-fizicke-vitalnosti-u-fokusu-uspjesno-odrzana-seniorijada-u-varazdinu/
Sjever hr https://sjever.hr/clanak/uspjesno-provedena-seniorijada-u-varazdinu-okupila-preko-250-sudionika
Aktualno hr https://vzaktualno.hr/preko-250-sudionika-na-seniorijadi-u-varazdinu-okusali-se-i-u-raznim-sportovima/

Transnational Project Meeting in Ptuj

Transnational Project Meeting in Ptuj (Slovenia) was held on the 15th of January 2025 by hosting organisation Public University of Ptuj.

Partners discussed piloting reports, assment of training material, quality indicators, national reports, dissemination of training material.

A summary of the piloting phase was presented. Each partner shared feedback from their national implementation. The overall response was positive, with suggestions for minor improvements in delivery methods.

Participants evaluated the effectiveness of the training material used during piloting. Materials were deemed useful and relevant, though some partners suggested improvements to better suit their local contexts.

Discussion was held on the quality indicators used to measure project success and all partners agreed that the indicators are appropriate and measurable. Partners also discussed strategies and outcomes related to the dissemination of training materials and shared examples of promotional efforts and engagement with stakeholders.

Forthcoming activities

Partners discussed structure and contect of the Toolkit for trainers, content of learning material, target groups and way of imlementation.

Senioriades

The concept of the Senioriades was outlined and discussed. Partners shared their plans for organizing the events in their respective countries and promotion strategies.

Piloting of SenSyn programe

From September to December 2024, the partners of the Erasmus+ SenSyn project successfully piloted 8 modules of the SenSyn educational program. The initiative engaged 350 seniors, with more than 200 unique participants, alongside 24 experts who contributed their knowledge and experience to the activities.

The educational modules covered a diverse range of topics designed to enhance the well-being and skills of senior participants:

– Digital literacy

– Personal finance management

– Healthy eating and cooking

– Maintaining physical and mental vitality

– Physical activity and movement

– Arts, culture and creative expression

– Social skills and communication

– Lifelong learning and volunteering.

This pilot phase provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the program, paving the way for further refinement and broader implementation.

The next phase of the project includes a Transnational partner meeting in Ptuj, where discussions will focus on various key topics, including the Senioriades, a significant initiative aimed at promoting active aging and community engagement among seniors.

SenSyn development of the training material

In May 2024, four partner institutions organised focus group meetings to introduce participants to the project and to exchange experiences and suggestions for developing an educational curriculum that promotes lifelong learning and healthy living. The discussions in the focus groups covered several key topics:

– Introduction to the SenSyn project and understanding the concept of active ageing, along with sharing participants’ personal experiences.

– Motivation for participating in lifelong learning and healthy activities, as well as barriers or challenges related to health conditions.

– The importance and attractiveness of topics within the educational program.

– Feedback and suggestions for additional topics or activities that should be included in the program.

Participants were very active, and their feedback was extremely valuable and useful for further improvement of the SenSyn program. The goal is to adapt the programs to be as relevant and beneficial as possible for older adults, encouraging their participation in activities that promote health and overall well-being.

Each partner will develop a curriculum for 2 educational modules over next few months:

– LUMS: Physical activity and movement, as well as social skills and communication,

– LUP: Personal finance management and legal advice, as well as lifelong learning and volunteering,

– POU Varazdin: Healthy nutrition and cooking, as well as art, culture, and creative expression,

– POU Samobor: Digital literacy, as well as physical and mental vitality.

Each module, lasting from 2 to 4 hours, will be developed as a curriculum with learning objectives, educational topics, and implementation examples for pilot testing starting this fall. Ultimately, the result will be a joint, sustainable, and effective educational program ready to train educators, which will have a long-term positive impact on the quality of life of older adults.

Transnational Project Meeting in Varaždin, Croatia

Transnational Project Meeting in Varaždin (Croatia) was held on the 15th of February 2024 at People’s Open University Varaždin.

Partners discussed activities in the previous period and concluded that all activities were going according to the plan.

The Final version of Digital database was published on the project web page (ENG) and will soon be available in partner languages (SLO, CRO).

On EPALE you can find two articles about the project activities and follow us for more. 

In next stage of the project (WP3) topics for training materials will be made. 

Stay tuned!