Strengthening the Participation of Older People – Combating Loneliness and Social Isolation

The program “Strengthening the Participation of Older People – Against Loneliness and Social Isolation” supports nationwide low-threshold projects and measures that provide older people with diverse opportunities for encounters and exchange. Targeted support is given to initiatives based on civic and civil society engagement that establish new networks for seniors. Whether local meeting points, joint activities, or intergenerational offerings – the funding aims to revitalize existing structures and break up isolating living situations. Recipients can be non-profit organizations, public institutions, or individuals; applications are continuously approved as grants and enable flexible project implementations in the fields of social affairs, health, as well as labor and social affairs.

The funding body is the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth, in close cooperation with the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks. The funding is particularly aimed at projects that enable direct social exchange and promote intergenerational dialogue. Older people affected by or at risk of loneliness thus find low-threshold and needs-oriented offerings. The continuous application procedure provides long-term planning security and creates space for innovative concepts to sustainably strengthen social participation and effectively counteract isolation.