Our research and observations on rural and revitalised areas of the Śląskie province show that there is still a need for initiatives engaging inhabitants in decisions concerning their local space, for more intense and better organised cooperation between generations, and integrating the elderly in the community life.
Activities we have taken up so far show that intergenerational projects release energy and strengthen motivation among people aged 60+ to work for others, they open space for cooperation between generations, and allow for overcoming social stereotypes. Continuing this approach, we will recruit volunteers at different ages and will train them on volunteer work know-how and tools, and the implementation of grassroot initiatives. We will also teach them how to diagnose local needs and problems and how to engage local communities. They will create intergenerational teams and will participate in two off-site workshops to work on the model and to plan how to engage local communities in the Śląskie province to organise backyards in their neighbourhoods. Participants will master leadership skills needed for running social projects, and then will complete backyard co-creation projects in 5 selected locations (in both rural and revitalised areas) of the Śląskie province, engaging local communities and decisionmakers. We will organise a voluntary work forum for individuals engaged in the project to present finalised initiatives and to discuss ideas and opportunities for engaging residents of rural or revitalised areas in co-creating their neighbourhoods.