Regional initiatives expand social support for elderly populations

Various regional initiatives in Croatia and Slovenia are focusing on enhancing social support and community inclusion for the elderly.

In Velika Gorica, Croatia, a project titled ‘Strengthening the network of non-institutional social services in the community’ is providing free legal and psychological counseling to senior citizens. Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, the initiative aims to reduce social isolation. Previous phases of the program served hundreds of citizens, and the current extension seeks to ensure seniors remain active and integrated within their communities.

In Slovenia, the European ELEVATE project is working to build age-friendly communities in the Podnaveska region, specifically in Litija, Šmartno pri Litiji, and Lukovica. The project involves 17 partner organizations and focuses on intergenerational exchange. By upgrading existing ‘Points for the Elderly’ into community spaces, the initiative encourages interaction between youth, volunteers, and seniors through activities such as knowledge exchange and volunteering.