Despite trends and recent legislation, older people, particularly women, are still disadvantaged in the EU labour market.  Also, the number of older women is growing but many lack skills to manage their changing circumstances and they may not engage with adult learning unless encouraged; finally, many older women need to earn additional income.

OWLE50+ is a programme of workshops and support for older women that enables them to play an active role in the community for the rest of their lives. OWLE50+ responds to each woman’s needs through learner centred upskilling so they can contribute to society, themselves and the economy by ageing wisely.

The learning experience will blend 5 learning strands needed and identified by 365 women over 50:

• Older women’s enterprise competencies and micro business start up
• Employability and life skills
• ICT for social and business growth
• Community involvement
• Effective senior citizenship in the EU and own country

OWLE50+ partners find that

• gaining entrepreneurial competencies transforms daily life competence
• women’s business models differ from traditional macho models
• women over 50 need skills and information to manage senior citizenship
• older women learn best if methods are customised to suit them

Anticipated outputs

• 90 older women recruited onto a Multi Module programme in 3 countries and going on to individual adult learning options
• 5 strands of Multi Module materials produced in each country for that context
• 3 e-publications, one in each language, will describe key strategies in:
  • Customising pedagogical methods for older women
  • Assessing needs using a new OWLE50+ assessment tool
  • Activating local adult learning and enterprise support agencies to cater for older women
• 30 case studies and an analysis of participants’ discourse will support the strategies
• 1 dissemination website in English with Swedish and Italian sections
• 3 events each year in each country to disseminate and create discussion
• Qualitative outputs include 90 participants able to manage their own ageing lives effectively and dynamic groups of older women active in their communities

Impact envisaged
OWLE50+ will have lasting and multiplying impact on:

• Older women who will improve their lives as a result of Multi Module training and who will continue adult learning
• Local communities with dynamic senior women role models engaged in business, community initiatives and with younger people
• Other Grundtvig projects as OWLE50+ liaises with complementary initiatives Other Grundtvig projects as OWLE50+ liaises with complementary initiatives
• EU-wide impact benefits:
  • Activated older women with ‘senior skills’
  • Adult learning provision that be enhanced by adopting OWLE50+ approach
  • OWLE50+ will raise the profile and credibility of older women
  • Increasing participation in adult learning
  • Multiplying and mushrooming effects