Senior Communication

projects supported by the Grundtvig Programme of the European Commission

Europe is growing older and consequently the European Union and its individual member states are confronted with the challenges of societal ageing. This comes at a time that the nature of society in Europe’s member states is changing. Transitions from rural to industrial and knowledge-based economies have major implications on the organisation of society at the European, national, regional as well as at the local level. Effects such as changes in labour market participation, pressures on the organisation of life cycle, flexibility in the organisation of time, individualisation... generate multiple and related problems on the social and psychological level. The decrease of social capital, shifts in democratic values, anxiety towards cultural diversity, loneliness, feelings of insecurity, are issues for modern European democratic societies. Most policy makers are convinced that these problems can be countered by greater civic activity at local level. Clearly, structured activation programmes are indicated.